Improve Your Writing Skills with Practice
Have you ever experienced having a brilliant idea in your mind, writing it down, and then feeling disappointed with how it turns out? You're not the only one. Oftentimes, we are able to visualize our thoughts vividly, but fail to convey it effectively when committing it to screen. How can we solve this problem? By writing.
Reading, imagining, and writing all require varying amounts of time, skills, and effort. Each task is unique and requires a specific set of abilities.
To illustrate this point, think back to the year you played little league baseball. Maybe you were assigned to the outfield, like me, because your throws were terrible. You could see yourself making great throws in your head, but when it came time to do it, the ball went up in the air and fell back down like a rock. However, with the help of practice and perseverance, you eventually improved. Your throws began to make it to third, second, and first base.
But this progress didn't come naturally. You had to work at it tirelessly, even when your elbow was sore and swollen. My friend Noland, who was a natural baseball player, had put in the time and effort to become great. I realized that to succeed, I needed to do the same.
The same principle applies to writing. You can read countless books and articles on writing, and read examples of great writing, but if you don't practice writing every day, you won't get very far. Your writing will never translate from your mind to paper, and it will never improve.
So what's the solution? Keep writing. Even if your writing is terrible and you feel discouraged, don't give up. Every time you write, you're one step closer to improving. With time and effort, you'll eventually reach home plate and achieve your writing goals.
Like this blog? Sign up for Clay’s newsletter offering encouragement, skills, resources, and knowledge relating to a balanced life while writing, marketing, promoting, and living. https://claystafford.com/newsletter
