Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Many aspiring writers view writing practice as a distraction, a detour from their "real" work in progress. In my Day 2 post, I promised that it's actually an investment in your craft that will pay off in many ways. Today, let's explore these benefits and how they can transform your writing journey.
1. Silence the Inner Critic
We all have that internal voice, often called the "monkey mind," that can paralyze our writing efforts or push us towards safe, comfortable topics. Regular writing practice helps us recognize this voice and not be swayed by it.
When I first started doing writing practice, my inner critic would scream, "This is terrible! You're saying nothing. This is a waste of time!" every time I put pen to paper. But as I persisted, that voice gradually faded into the background, allowing my words to flow freely. Now, when monkey mind arises, I recognize it as a signal to keep going.
2. Achieve a Flow State Consistently
Sometimes writing feels like an uphill battle, with every word a struggle. Other times, the words seem to flow effortlessly. Writing practice helps us enter this "flow state" more consistently, building neural connections that make the journey smoother and less taxing.
*Example:* It used to take me a long time to start a project. I wouldn't know how or where to begin. Now, I start with a topic and enter a productive writing state quickly, regardless of my initial mood or circumstances. While writing challenges still arise, I see them as opportunities because I have a clear process to solve them.
3. Improve Our Ability to Translate Imagined Stories
As storytellers, our job is to convert the vision in our minds into a meaningful narrative for the reader. We do this by weaving in concrete details that collectively communicate our intended message. Writing practice hones this skill, helping us capture the nuances that bring our visions to life.
In my first draft of a scene, I'm often just getting a basic impression that doesn't accurately reflect the version of the event in my mind. By returning to the scene from different perspectives using writing practice, I add layers that create a complex narrative, not just a series of happenings. I uncover things I didn't realize about the characters and what makes them tick.
4. Uncover What We Really Want to Say
At its core, every story offers an idea about how to approach life's problems. To craft a coherent narrative, we need to understand our underlying message. Writing practice helps us uncover this essence by allowing us to write freely, without self-censorship or concern for others' opinions.
When I started developing my Narrative Cartography process to help writers plan and write better stories, I thought it was just about helping writers achieve commercial success. Through writing practice, I realized I'm more concerned with helping writers make sense of what they want to say, enabling them to write the best story they can and share their unique perspective in a way that benefits us all.
Writing practice isn't just about improving our technical skills; it's about developing our voice, understanding our message, and building the mental stamina needed for long-term projects. By incorporating regular writing practice into our routines, we're not just becoming better writers—we're becoming more insightful storytellers and more authentic versions of ourselves.
So, the next time you're tempted to skip your writing practice to work on your "real" project, remember: this is the work that makes all your other writing possible. Embrace it, and watch your craft flourish.