"Writing is easy. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." - Hemingway
Writers, like players, practice to improve our craft. Habit master James Clear (Atomic Habits) points out that pursuing an action - exercise, eating better, writing - casts a vote for the person you want to become.
Be specific. "Foods that help brain function include two apples a day or a half cup of berries." Or...perhaps a gluten free diet could impact a variety of neurologic conditions. Saying "diet impacts brain function" doesn't get us far.
"Content is king." Write what we want to read and share lessons that inform and raise curiosity. There's no 'content food truck' to buy content.
Spacing. Let a piece simmer to absorb more flavor. Rushed thinking might spark genius. More often, it slaughters syntax and tortures grammar. Malcolm Gladwell lets pieces 'rest' for months.
Draft Day. James Patterson preaches outlines. Salman Rushdie says to get something down on the blank page. Anne Lamott writes that "shitty first drafts" are normal. All three are right.
Minimum John. We've heard of judges who trend toward maximum sentences and know that criminal sentences are longer before lunch when judges are hungry. I follow Bob Woodward's practice of including at least 'six key points' that deserve attention.
Redundancy a strength and weakness. George Stephanopolous reminds us to tell people what we're going to say, say it, then tell them what you just said. "Repetitions create reputations." Redundancy risks boredom.
Edit. Ron Howard says that "the movie is made in the editing room." David Mamet explains that comedians spend a lifetime "shaving syllables" and reminds us to "kill your darlings." Coaching resembles that. If we find something better, cut something elsewhere.
True or not, John Maynard Keynes often gets credited with this quote,
Get skilz. Most entrepreneurs skimp on technology initially, lacking resources. Learn and do multiple aspects of their business. Coaching is similar. Research communication, teaching, game fundamentals, physical training, strategy, Xs and Os, psychology. Success attracts help. This allows more people to share the experience and usually encourages more resources, too.
Toughen up. If we share a lot, then criticism will follow. Director Mira Nair reminds us to "have the soul of a poet and the hide of an elephant."
