How do I get better at writing?

This week I want to talk about the road to becoming a famous writer.

Granted, I am not a famous writer, but I’ve read a thing or two about writing from famous writers, and I’ve noticed some patterns in what they say.

Many people ask popular writers “How can I get better at writing?”  And most reply “Write.  A lot.”  Or some variant of that answer.  As far as I can tell though, it’s true.  To get better at writing you need to write, and you need to write a lot.

I think people ask this question because they believe that writing is an easy enough thing to do (most everyone in 1st world nations know how to read and write after all), and they also know that it is possible to secure some financial stability from this thing they’ve been doing since elementery school.  The problem is that while most people in 1st world nations know how to write, they are not aware about what it means to write well.

Everyone knows how to lift something relatively heavy, but not everyone knows how to be a professional powerlifter.  Powerlifting, too, requires an intense measure of self-discipline, not just finding the motivation to go out and exercise, but monitoring what they eat and when, what muscles groups they will be training that day, how much sleep they are receiving (muscle is actually built during the sleep cycle when the body repairs itself), practicing correct form, number of repetitions, amout of weight they will be using, and a number of other things that I don’t know about.  Every aspect of a powerlifter’s life revolves around powerlifting, and they get better at it because they are constantly practicing.  Why should we expect less when it comes to writing?

Lissa Treiman, an artist who works for Disney makes this same point (look for “How did you develop your style”, and “How do I become a good artist).  There are stories of Kobe Byrant’s work ethic as well.  You don’t become an overnight success because you “kinda write”.  You become better, no matter what discipline you choose, because you practice all the time.  There is no magic technique, no special serum or vodun spell you can invoke to get better at writing.  You write, write, and write, and then you get better.

There are a number of other factors that help contribute to one’s writing finesse.  Reading is also a necessary part, and perhaps some “in born talent”, but I think it’s more important to talk about the self-discipline and work ethic necessary to get better at writing.  Jeff Goins says the same thing, as does Susanne Lankin, and Neil Gaiman: to get better at writing, you need to sit down and do it.  There is no other way.

So get to it.