Two Truths

Two Truths

While the title could imply any number of topics on which I’d love to share my vast thirty-two years of wisdom (politics, parenting, marriage, finance, money-making scams) I thought I’d start off with what I’ve learned about writing.

There are important things I need to remind myself of, disciplines I need to master, that are pretty much necessary to be a writer. They are things that will help me along my way to a successful career in writing. Here are two of the many important things to know and do.

First, to write well I must read quality work in the area I write. These two things are a struggle for me to do simultaneously. I tend to be either on a writing spree or a reading binge. If for no other reason than I have only so much time. I’d like to develop a systematic approach for tackling both of these beasts in the same day. Perhaps I need to read in the daylight and write in the dark. Maybe I spend time in a book in the am hours and on the laptop in the pm hours. Either way I must find time to do both of these important things. What is also important in this area is that I find good reads. Currently, I am reading The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima. It’s the first book of three (at this time) followed by The Wizard Heir and The Dragon Heir. These are definitely quality books exactly in the genre I like to write.

Second, one must write everyday. I’ve spent months not writing and then wondering why I don’t get anywhere. It’s is a simple and common concept, perfect practice makes perfect. I’d love to be able to write consistently, to have my time blocked off for X number of hours each day. Instead I tend to squeeze it in when I can. I’m getting better. I work on one project or another most every day.