“Although we live in an age of specialisation, where years of study are required to become a technician or mathematician, few would-be writers seem to recognise that their trade requires an equally long self-discipline.”
– Colin Wilson, Dreaming to Some Purpose
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“Good process must not only make the work better but also make you better. Excellence arises from refining good process—how can I do this better, or easier, or with less waste? It’s a job, like preparation, that never ends.”
– Dan Charnas, Work Clean
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I like to approach my writing as one who has no special gifts.
I’ve not been told, “you are a great writer, you should share your work.”
I’ve not been discoveted. I must discover myself.
I want to get better. I realise improvement only happens by doing. I cannot dream or will myself to be a better writer. It’s trial and error. Adding and subtracting. A practice of refinement.
I’ll never be as good as I want to be.
That’s OK, I’m patient.
I’ll get there in the end. And if not, at least I get to write trying.
Conversations With Quotations 