Practice Makes Perfect

I think I have discovered a trait that all great (or even good) writers must have.  Now I have NOT done any exhaustive studies or surveys  to discover this thing.  I am basing it solely on personal observation and experience.  Now I know that this is a small study group, and the margin of error could be 100%!  But I think once I reveal it and explain my reasoning you will all agree.

OK, are  you ready?  What I have discovered is Discipline.  That's right discipline.  Think about it, without discipline nothing would get done.  What separates those that DO from those that DON’T?  Its certainly not talent because there's a lot of crap produced in the world.  And some of it is actually sold very successfully.

Discipline is a key ingredient to becoming both a better writer as well as a more successful writer.  No matter how good your command of the English Language is you can always get better.  “Practice makes perfect”, really is a proverb with a lot going for it.  You can only get better if you practice your craft.  Writing is a craft.  Its not just having a command of the language.  It includes the ability to be a Storyteller.  Storytelling is both a Skill and an Art and like a muscle the more you use it the stronger it will get.

Having the discipline to sit down and spend X number of hours writing each week will make you improve both as a writer and as a storyteller.  For me the development of discipline has been very difficult.  Yeah, sure I can do it for a short time, 3-4 weeks and then it gets cast to the wayside as excuses come in.  This needs to get done, this is more important, I will make up the time tomorrow, etc, etc, etc.  After a while the excuses come easier and the guilty feelings vanish that much quicker.

Discipline, certainly not my strong point.  And I am sure many of you have the same problems.  There are some that are so regimented and disciplined that they can turn out tons of work.  I really envy them!  Well I have to end this now, I have to go take the garbage out……

Keep writing  

NYC Comicon

One of my major interests and a hobby that I have been involved in since High School is the Collecting and Reading nay Appreciation of the Art form commonly referred to as Comic Books.  Beginning with that first issue I collected back in 1973 (Fantasy Masterpieces # 2) which by the way was given to me by a friend and which I still have to Swamp Thing # 23.1 which I just bought last Wednesday, I love my comic books.

The big event each year for me is the New York City Comicon which is held at the Javits Center in Manhattan each year in October.  This year it runs from October 10-13.  This sold out event has become so large that it is second only to the San Diego show in size and content.  Luckily I have had my ticket for months.  It’s an opportunity for me to fill some holes in my ever growing collection.  I collect some fairly obscure old titles that my local dealers just don’t have and I’m one of those “dinosaurs” that like to see and hold the book before I buy it.  In addition the prices at the show are usually good; in fact they are VERY GOOD!

It is also an opportunity to pick up items on the periphery such as statues, models, games, posters, etc.   I will certainly use the opportunity to stock up on bags and boards.  The Con is also a chance to reconnect with friends I’ve made in the hobby and hopefully make some new ones.  Part of the allure in any hobby is the people you meet.  Certainly this is as true here as in any.

The show goes for 4 days, opens on a Thursday (Industry Only day) and runs through Sunday afternoon.  I will be there on at least three of the days.  I usually stay away on Saturday as that is “Kids day” and there always seems to be a larger number of kids and strollers on that day then any of the others.  I will try to post some pictures after the show; there are always some great costumes and interesting Authors and Artists. 

Hope to see you soon.