Sunday, March 11, 2012

Act Like A Black Belt


You just knew one day I would compare my two passions, didn't you?  My school is preparing for our spring tournament competition next weekend and it got me thinking about my writing.  But then again, everything gets me thinking about my writing.  I'm thinking writers should face a new manuscript like preparing for a fight.


Make sure you are ready and keep your guard up.  If you can't think, you can't create.  Train with the best through classes, workshops, and conferences to enhance your writing skills.  Practice writing every day to remain prepared for that big moment when your creativity may be tested.


Take a leap of faith that you know what you are doing.  If you call yourself a writer than act like one!  Don't make excuses for any lack of published works.  A book deal doesn't indicate the ability of a writer, just their luck in finding the right match for their work.

Black belts train for years to hopefully achieve an acceptable level of skill.  They fall down many times along the way and learn patience in the process.  They live and breathe perseverance and so should writers.  You never know when you might get the chance to make that winning score in the world of publication and you need to be ready for it!





16 comments:

  1. Oh great advice. I've only just started writing and keep thinking because I've just started I don't need to put in as much effort. Thank you for whipping my butt into shape! :)

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    1. Just be patient with yourself, Anna, and give yourself permission to make mistakes along the way as you learn how to do this. I am still a relative "newbie" to the professional side of writing and still have so much to learn! As long as I love what I am doing and practice improving my skills every day, I will be fine. So will you...

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  2. My favorite line: "Practice writing every day to remain prepared for that big moment when your creativity may be tested."
    Love that.

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    1. Thanks, Penny! It only took me 40+ years of practice writing and 11+ years of martial arts training to think of it...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  3. Ohhhh that's a good line Penny, must remember that. Thanks for the advice Donna.

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    1. Diane, people have wondered over the years how I have managed to achieve the rank I am considering all of my medical issues. I use my training to persevere and I will use those same lessons learned on the mats to achieve my goals in writing.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  4. Another interesting comparison. I think it's great that you can combine your two passions in this way.

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    1. I do too, Stephen! I even wrote a middle grade novel based on three boys trying to get to a tournament that I am in the middle of revising right now. It's very loosely based on my own school and the students there, along with my chief instructor.

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  5. Love the metaphor. Thanks for posting.

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    1. I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  6. I especially love the metaphor because my new picture book THE THREE NINJA PIGS comes out this fall. I wish i had a black belt. That would be so awesome for school visits!

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    1. Thank you, Corey, for stopping by. I actually read up on your new picture book the other day and thought it was such a cute idea...can't wait for it to come out! I know that the martial arts style Kung Fu use sashes for their ranks...maybe you could purchase some black silk material and have someone create a "mock" black sash for you to wear? The uniform itself can be purchased through a martial arts retail store, but most belts usually have to come through the school you train at.

      I hope you had a great weekend and come back any time!

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  7. Hi Donna,
    As usual, another great post. I love the analogy, especially about falling down but persevering. During the height of Michael Jordan's basketball career, I used to point out to my son every time Michael missed a basket. I told him even superstars can miss their goal, but they keep on persevering. That's what we writer's have to do. You said it so well.
    Richard Alan

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    1. Awww, thank you Richard for your kind words. I was supposed to have gone up for my 4th degree 2 years ago but a serious, unexpected health risk put me on the sidelines for almost 2 years. Perseverance was the ONLY thing that got me through my testing last October when I finally recovered enough to attempt it. I'm using those same skills to push me forward toward all of my writing goals...;0)

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

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  8. Great post. Sometimes it's harder to get back up but having support in the crowd helps. Nice to meet you from A to Z.

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    1. Hi there, Susan! I'm so glad you took the time to stop by my blog! I totally agree with the idea of having that support...which is why I LOVE this writing community!

      Thanks for stopping by and come back any time! Good luck next month!

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