January, 4 2012. Day four of the new year, and success in keeping my New Year’s resolution on track by writing every day and following the 3D’s : Determination, Discipline and Desire ( Okay, so it’s only four days, and 361 days to go !)
I don’t know about you, but every January first I make a list of New Year’s resolutions to achieve some goal, or eliminate some bad habit from my life. Each year the same thing happens—about three months into the year I fall off the wagon (so to speak) and lose sight of whatever my resolution may have been. But not this year. No, this year I’m committed to my craft— the practice of writing, and pledge to write something every day—an essay, poem, a letter, or perhaps just a few sentences in my journal.
* William Faulkner at his typewriterI look to acclaimed authors to seek their wisdom about writing. For many of them , to become a writer, hopefully a better writer is by the practice of writing:
· You only learn to be a better writer by actually writing. Doris Lessing
· The writer’s duty is to keep on writing. William Styron
· You must write every single day of your life. Ray Bradbury
· Writing every day and disciplined editing. Stephen King
· I put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep I wrote in the dark. Henry David Thoreau
Recognizing the importance of practice draws my thoughts back to the days of my youth when not only writing was important to me, but also playing basketball. It was my passion. I loved playing basketball at St. Rose of Lima, and strived hard to make first string. While I was shorter than other girls on the team— our coach, Liz Miller (affectionately) took to calling me ‘Little One’ - I was fast and had quick reflexes. Liz was an excellent coach, and wonderful role model who early on believed in the 3 D’s and passed that on to her young wards.
It was playing basketball for Liz that I first learned about determination, discipline and desire— that through practice I could improve my game. Everyday after school we practiced lay-ups, making free throws, pivoting to the right, pivoting to the left, the forward pass, and dribbling the ball down the court—the same drills over and over until we became the best we could be. I might add, during those days we weren’t wearing high tech basketball shoes, but dollar ninety-nine PF Flyers and bad uniforms.
It was playing basketball for Liz that I first learned about determination, discipline and desire— that through practice I could improve my game. Everyday after school we practiced lay-ups, making free throws, pivoting to the right, pivoting to the left, the forward pass, and dribbling the ball down the court—the same drills over and over until we became the best we could be. I might add, during those days we weren’t wearing high tech basketball shoes, but dollar ninety-nine PF Flyers and bad uniforms.
I’m 61 years old, and no longer play basketball (although if I could, I would ) . My passion now is to become a better writer. To write stories and poems to lift another’s heart and tell of happy days. I know I must practice , like Liz called me to do on the basketball court , only now with words of description, character and plot. And writing every day.
