Many people wonder how some people get to be such excellent writers. How do they create scenes that resonate with you, how do they bring in details so vivid you can feel yourself there, how do they reach inside you and pull out your deepest emotions?

Practice, baby, practice.

Practice is the only thing that will help you improve your writing. That, and learning the craft through reading, taking classes, and going to conferences. Yet, at some point, you have to stop doing just reading, classes, and conferences, and sit your fanny down and write.

Ray Bradbury told us that many times. Steven King said it. In fact, every writing teacher I’ve ever had said it.

Excellence is attained through practice.

What musician doesn’t get better at their instrument the more they play it? Think of writing as your own musical instrument. Perhaps much of your practice writing isn’t anything you could ever sell anywhere, (don’t even ask me about some of the stories I count as practice,) but it definitely will teach you something. Take those lessons to the next level, and practice writing some more.

Finally, one day, after all that practice, you’ll be able to look at your writing and say to yourself, “This is excellent.”

Best wishes to you on your road to excellence.