The Secret To Becoming A Writer IS Easier Than You Think

I've always wanted to learn how to run a marathon. 

Sure I know the steps, one foot in front of the other until I reach the finish line, but just like with writing where in its simplicity we are putting one word in front of the other until we reach the end of the story, there's a bit more to it than this. 

Becoming a writer is a dream that many share. They want to see their words in print, maybe even their name in lights, or at least their book sitting on the bedside table of readers all over the world. 

And while the dream of writing a novel is just that for many, making this dream a reality isn't as hard as many have made it out to be. 

But there's a catch - just like my dream of running a marathon - I'm not going to be able to just strap into a pair of sneakers no matter how nice they are and take off running for miles on end and wind up being the first one across the finish line with the big metal around my neck.

First - I'm going to have to practice. 

The Secret To Making Writing Easier 

Just like how I'm going to have to get off my butt and go for runs a few times a week if I plan on being able to increase the distance and pace of my run, writers who want to become better at writing have to get onto their butts and practice getting their stories from beginning to end. 

With practice comes familiarity and the ability to turn writing from that thing you do every once in a while into a habit that will come like second nature. 

The first time I laced up my sneakers and took off at a run I almost collapsed halfway down my street, but the tenth time I ran I was able to make it to the coffee shop a few blocks away from my house and reward myself with a large coffee - and possibly a doughnut for the walk back.

When you first start writing your story might just be a series of events that goes from point A to point B and that's ok, pacing and character development, and all the other things that go into a novel will come to you easier the more you practice, review, and repeat. 

Each time you come to the page and put in the work you are going to improve. 

That's all there is to being a writer. You write, you edit, you receive feedback, and then you do it all over again until you're happy with the outcome. 

The most important step here is repeating and practicing. If I had given up on that very first run, or even the first time I came in last for a race I never would have won my first. 

I may be a long - looooong - way off from running a marathon, but I'm a lot closer than I ever would have gotten if I had never started to practice. 

Now go get to writing. 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:00 pm EST

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