From the big idea behind the 10,000 hours rule to getting your jive to swing. With thanks to Malcolm Gladwell, K Anders Ericsson, Bananarama and Fun Boy Three.
A certain 80s song now ricocheting around my brain 🤣
Can I ask you both a question? In terms of writing, how do you know when you're "good enough"? What works for one editor might not work for another and when do you know how to stay the course you're on, or pivot?
As an example, I only enjoy writing - and believe I write best - when it's my style and about something I'm passionate about. If someone says "nope, you need to write like this" I don't think I'd enjoy it the same way.
Hi Annette - I'm afraid that's the 10m dollar question. It really depends on what you're writing too as some formats have different requirements. In general, I think 'good' writing follows motivation. If you don't want to write a certain way then that will show. I'd stick to writing what you want to write and what only you can do - that's how you find an audience and your niche.
It could be worse, Chris, you could have used "Macarena" as your muse 🤣
I think you're right. This fledgling stage throws up so much conflict. You want to become established and feel like you should pursue any and all avenues but then that defeats the whole catharsis of writing (and producing work you're proud of).
In ‘Mastery’, Robert Greene agrees and puts that jive down to what he calls the ‘primal inclination’, in other words - the stuff that you just loved doing as a kid. if you can tap into that, then not only do the 10,000 hours fly by, but you fly while doing them.
Yes - flow is an essential part of deliberate practice, it gives us that engagement, the motivation to keep doing the thing. However what is interesting when you look at the overall practice, is that most of it isn't in flow, quite the opposite actually! The mistake we sometimes make (and that I definitely do) is then we aren't in flow, we think we are doing something wrong, but actually that is the 'out of comfort zone' element that Ericsson talks about. It's painful! But that is what makes it so fulfilling.
Yes he puts that well. Ericsson puts 'motivation' as one of the five key ingredients to deliberate practice. In short, you gotta want to do it! Tapping into your early primal inclinations sounds like a very good idea :)
A certain 80s song now ricocheting around my brain 🤣
Can I ask you both a question? In terms of writing, how do you know when you're "good enough"? What works for one editor might not work for another and when do you know how to stay the course you're on, or pivot?
As an example, I only enjoy writing - and believe I write best - when it's my style and about something I'm passionate about. If someone says "nope, you need to write like this" I don't think I'd enjoy it the same way.
I realise there are no easy answers here BTW...😭
Hi Annette - I'm afraid that's the 10m dollar question. It really depends on what you're writing too as some formats have different requirements. In general, I think 'good' writing follows motivation. If you don't want to write a certain way then that will show. I'd stick to writing what you want to write and what only you can do - that's how you find an audience and your niche.
I feel I should apologise for the ear worm too :)
C
It could be worse, Chris, you could have used "Macarena" as your muse 🤣
I think you're right. This fledgling stage throws up so much conflict. You want to become established and feel like you should pursue any and all avenues but then that defeats the whole catharsis of writing (and producing work you're proud of).
In ‘Mastery’, Robert Greene agrees and puts that jive down to what he calls the ‘primal inclination’, in other words - the stuff that you just loved doing as a kid. if you can tap into that, then not only do the 10,000 hours fly by, but you fly while doing them.
Yes - flow is an essential part of deliberate practice, it gives us that engagement, the motivation to keep doing the thing. However what is interesting when you look at the overall practice, is that most of it isn't in flow, quite the opposite actually! The mistake we sometimes make (and that I definitely do) is then we aren't in flow, we think we are doing something wrong, but actually that is the 'out of comfort zone' element that Ericsson talks about. It's painful! But that is what makes it so fulfilling.
SO TRUE. Discomfort is part of the process...
Yes he puts that well. Ericsson puts 'motivation' as one of the five key ingredients to deliberate practice. In short, you gotta want to do it! Tapping into your early primal inclinations sounds like a very good idea :)