Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect

When my daughter began to play the clarinet, most of the notes she played were painfully off key. Soon the notes were more or less correct, but the melody was lacking as she took long pauses to place her fingers. As she practiced, she was able to play a few simple tunes, with only two or three notes, from memory. Now she can play more complex arrangements, she can read music and translate the little squiggles and bars into counts and beats and twinkling notes, her fingers can find the notes by touch and she is ready to perform to a small audience of family and friends. Someday, she may be able to perform to a larger audience.

If you have ever played a musical instrument, this probably sounds very familiar.

As a writer, have you taken this same approach to honing your skill? Have you learned the fundamentals of grammar and language? Have you applied the basics to practice writings: articles, essays, short stories, journaling, writing exercise? Have you read books, paying attention to the pace of the story, the character development, the integration of plots and subplots? Have you shared your writings with trusted family and friends, soliciting feedback?

No?

To be a successful writer, you must practice and hone your craft.

Please, don