Writing is a Discipline
If a writer considers writing to be a task, he/she is doomed to failure. Since it cannot be a task, then what is it? It is a discipline. What does that mean?
A discipline means development, and that means preparation. So a writer must prepare to be a writer and that means study, study of the English language-its words, its structure, its syntax, and its style. That is the groundwork that a writer must follow all his/her life. This implies training.
Where does a writer obtain this training? From many sources-workshops, seminars, courses, reading, and connection with other writers. Every day becomes part of a writer's training. Every moment adds to the writer's store of information, ideas, topics, and themes.
Discipline means the cultivation of input, of broadening the writer's outlook, of developing something to say, and of creating a way to say it. Without effort there can be no output-at least no yield that readers are willing to add to their store of thoughts and ideas.
Discipline means practice. A writer is not a writer until he or she puts words to paper or screen and this is the application of the training that preceded it. All of this implies a love of the art, and if that is not present, then it becomes a task, and writing can never succeed as a chore.
Discipline means exercise, which means action, which means the act of writing, of sitting before the blank page or screen and filling it. This is the time of labor, but it must be a labor of love, a desire, a need, an addiction, in fact, to expressing oneself. Of course, this action can take many forms-poetry, essays, short stories, articles, novels, and non-fiction books-but it must be treasured and desired for its own sake before it is presented to readers.
Without discipline, writing becomes nothing more that a job to be completed leaving the author unfulfilled and wanting.
Charles O. Goulet has a BA in English literature. He has published several novels that are available from Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and many other online book stores.
His website is: http://www.telusplanet.net/public/go1c
MORE RESOURCES:
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
7 Devastating Writing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Writing engaging articles and energizing ad copy takes more than just typing out what you want to say. By correcting these major mistakes, your copy will soar to newfound heights.
Making The Time To Write That Novel
Finding the time to write a novel is one of the major issues confronting writers, particularly those who haven't been published yet. How does one justify to themselves, or to their loved ones, that they need time to write if they have demands on their time, like a job, or a house to be cleaned, a family to be fed, or shopping to do? They make the time.
Writing Query Letters
A QUERY LETTER is written to an editor or agent to describe a piece of writing to ask if they'd like to see it. It is sent in lieu of an unsolicited (unasked for) manuscript.
Do I Have To Be A Good Writer to Market My Own Business?
Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing. What can a small business owner do if they're not much of a writer? Can they still market their business themselves on a shoestring budget?Marketing is a form of communication.
Business Letter Etiquette
Business etiquette is fundamentally concerned with building relationships founded upon courtesy and politeness between business personnel. Etiquette, and especially business etiquette, is a means of maximising your potential by presenting yourself positively.
Writing Query Letters that Count -- Close the Deal with Your First Letter!
Your query letter can be a deal maker or a deal breaker. So, if your query letter just lies there, you've killed the sale immediately or your story or novel immediately.
In Your Own Words
More Tips For New Writers (Part I)Explain in your own wordsFamiliar phrase? Yes, we have all heard it many times in many different situations. This little phrase is used to convey subtly different meanings depending upon the circumstances in which it is used.
Spiritual Journaling
Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want
to add your spiritual postings in your regular journal, you
will want to read this.Personal journaling supports our development and growth.
How to Write Words Worth a Thousand Pictures
Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It can be hard on writers unless they learn to connect with today's readers.
How to Write a Short Story
Everybody knows writing a story is not easy. Like the drama or the poem, it is imaginative literature that should appeal to the emotions of the readers.
Open a Vein
If you want to be a writer, you must write and that requires sitting at your typewriter or computer and writing although it may not be easy. That also means avoiding all distractions that will keep one from writing-visitors, friends, relatives, television, radio, and anything that will keep the writer from concentrating on the task.
Write Possibilities
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time.
Learn to Write Like a Pro
Many writers write for the experience. Others dream of having a number one best seller.
Five Golden Rules for Writers
Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how much you love to write, there are probably days when you'd rather clean ditches than face another blank page.As writers, we face common challenges; staying motivated and confident, avoiding "writer's block," and meeting goals (on time!) are some of the toughest.
Writing Without Style
Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact, highly desirable for newspapers. The average reading level of newspaper readers is the sixth grade.
How to Write a Holiday Tale that Isn't a Turkey
When we write stories, with the purpose of sharing them with others, we enter into an agreement where we allow our reader to see a glimpse of our heart, our souls and our memories. If we truly want them to be immersed in the tale, we actively immerse ourselves in those memories so that a glimmer of what we saw, heard and felt comes through.
Applying KISS Principle in Writing
I have added a new word to my vocabulary. Logorrhea.
Resignation Letters: Dont Let Yours Backfire On You...
It turns out that "tips and templates on how to write
resignation letters" is the third most sought-after
information at my Writing Help Central Web site.So, when I looked into the subject more closely, I was
surprised to find that there is not a lot of guidance
available in guide book form on how to write a proper and
appropriate resignation letter.
A Perfect Day for Writers
In one of the exercises in my "Getting Started as a Freelance Writer" workshop, I ask participants to describe what a "perfect day" would be like for them.The responses are frequently tender, wistful and unfailingly vivid.
Who Said That? Making Dialogue Crystal Clear
Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply entertain me. I didn't want to have to ponder about 'who dun it'.
|