How to Practice: An Exercise in Rendering Talent Irrelevant by Howard Tayler
What I learned:
Talent is only the starting point. Being talented or gifted does not mean you will be successful or even be exceptional. It is only through practice and hard work that we can turn our talent into greatness.
How I Plan to Apply it:
Write. When I left for the conference I was working on a project that I was really excited about. However, every time I sat down to work on it I would get out a sentence or two, maybe a paragraph, and then I would get stuck.
The members for my writers group that carpooled to the conference with me helped me realize something - if you aren't writing you aren't practicing and you can't get better.
So I am shelving my project and moving onto another. I feel a little nervous because this is the second project I have shelved this year. But on the other hand, I held on to my first novel way to long. I think finding something that I can actually keep working on is the key.
I took that class too! That one and his world building class were my two favorites.
ReplyDeleteRemember, "You worked hard on that!" :)
I was debating on whether or not to take the world building class - there was another class that hour that sounded interesting. After going to this class I totally went to the world building class.
DeleteI agree that they were two of my favorites. He is a great presenter.
Great advice. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's great advice! Don't worry; I've shelved many short stories and a plot for a novel or two... or four. You'll find one that you really love and it'll practically write itself. :)
ReplyDelete