In my last post interview with Shelly Unwin, she said: If I’d had the same idea three years earlier though, my execution wouldn’t have been anywhere near where it was when this idea formed. I had taken time to learn the craft and really understand how to structure a picture book and really speak to the child. So I was in a prime position to take the idea and write it well.
The idea that the more you write, the better you get is an idea that has been intriguing me over the last little while, so much so that I wrote a post on it over on my website. I especially love the quote from a book called Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland, “You make good work by (among other things) making lots of work that isn’t very good.” Not that I’m saying what Shelly wrote before wasn’t very good! In fact I know that some of it was very, very good! But we all sit on top of a bundle of not-so-good works that prop us up to do better and better.
Sandy Fussell extended my thinking on this with a recent blog post where she says that writing in other areas, not just her major work in progress is “ Like sharpening pencils, it sharpens my creative awareness. If my tools are in excellent condition, it lifts my writing.” (http://www.sandyfussell.com/you-cant-write-with-a-blunt-pencil/)
Last week I came across a website that graphically illustrates the concept, and draws on another ‘pet’ issue of mine – writing is play (also blogged about on my website) Because if we don’t love what we do, what sustains us through all the practice and ‘failures’ of the writing life?
The way Stephen McCranie over at doodle alley http://doodlealley.com/ demonstrates both these elements in an engaging comic about a pig has inspired me over the last week. Although about visual art, the truths can be generalised to most creative endeavours. If you pop on over to his website and sign up for his newsletters, you will be rewarded with “The secret of being a great artist”– so much wisdom packaged in an engaging way – well worth it! And while you are there, check out his ‘Brick by Brick’ comic blog for fantastic insights on the creative process.
Disclaimer: I am in no way related to, or have anything to gain by promoting doodle alley – I stumbled across it from a facebook post and thought it worth sharing!
Debra’s website is at www.debratidball.com
Shelly Unwin is at www.shellyunwin.com
Sandy Fussell is at www.sandyfussell.com
2 thoughts to “Practice Makes Perfect”
Reblogged this on shelly unwin and commented:
A great article recognising that all the (extra) writing you do as a writer helps to build your skills.
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