I met a woman last month whose every other sentence contained the words “writing practice.” Writing practice, writing practice, writing practice. I was too embarrassed to tell her I had no idea what in the world she was talking about, so I just listened and figured I’d get it from the context. And I did.
But I still don’t think I need one. After writing, and selling my work, for over 20 years, it’s a little late to subscribe to the belief that I MUST HAVE a specific schedule to write. Nope, not going there.
To hear her tell it, without a “writing practice” I’m not serious about my writing. Wanna bet? So while it’s true that actually sitting down to write is the only way to become a writer, I disagree with the idea that the rest of the world has to be on “hold” at a set time, on set days, while you do this.
I write when the spirit moves me. And when NCIS is not on TV, and when it isn’t warm enough to take my motorcycle out for a spin, and when I don’t have tickets to a Mariners’ game, and if the muse is willing. In other words, I refuse to be a slave to a pre-determined writing “practice.” It gets done when my muse says it’s time to get it done.
And that suits me just fine.
