MishaEveryone knows practice makes perfect. However, with so much going on, some of us don’t get to sit down and work on our stories as often as we’d like. That doesn’t mean we cannot still work on our craft! Here are a few ideas for fitting in your practice.
Journal
I’ll be honest, this one isn’t for me. I hate journaling because my emotions have always been more demanding than I’d like. But for some people, journaling is the place where they process, understand, and see things in a new light. I have friends who have turned it into an art form! Their journal entries are delightful—at least the ones they’ve shared. I mean, if you write a new one every day, there’s likely to be a few worth showing to the world!
Written Prayer
It’s kind of like journaling, only this is a conversation between you and God. If you have a tendency to lose track of what’s going on when you’re praying, writing your prayers out is a fantastic way to discipline yourself and stay on course. Plus, you can listen to what God is saying back and write it out. I’m one to believe that God is always speaking, though we don’t always hear him. Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27). It may seem strange at first, but you get used to it. Writing it out lets you go back and re-read it later—and be surprised at the ways you were hearing God accurately.
Boring Work or School Writing
Honestly, technical writing has honed my writing skills more than I can express. When you write about complex ideas, you have to streamline your thoughts. Overcomplicating a complex issue is ruinous to the purpose of explaining it. The key is to understand an idea fully, from multiple angles, then use the few necessary words needed to clarify it. Repeat this process often enough, you will naturally hone and budget your word usage over time.
Read More
It’s no secret that the best writers are prolific readers. When I taught eighth graders, it was obvious which students spent their time in books! The more elegant the books they were reading, the better their writing became. Seriously. Jane Austen and JRR Tolkien lovers were my favorite young writers!
I’d love to hear what you have found useful in your development as a writer. Leave a comment and let us in on your secrets!
Tracy Popolizio
Laurie Germaine
Carol Eaton
Practical advice that works! Daily writing counts! Author Tracy Groot met a book agent who wanted to see examples of her writing. Unprepared, she showed him emails she sent to employees, and he offered her a contract. She published with Tyndale.
That’s brilliant!
Great ideas!
Analyzing movies really helps. Watching for the story structure and character development informs my own writing.
That makes sense, Kristen. Good movies are succinct with a tight storyline. I’ll keep that one in mind!
Great advice! I discovered I could write while working on my thesis in graduate school. My post-graduate work included writing grants for non-profits. These skills proved invaluable later when I began writing fiction.
Exactly! Thanks for chiming in, Julane!