Back to topics   Write, write, write I've noticed lately that there's a common manta out in the writer's realm of cyperspace:  "The only way to be a better writer is to write, write, write." I disagree. If you write, write, write without stopping to reflect on your work, or look around the writing/publishing community, or get feedback, or compare yourself to other talented writers, you'll keep writing on the same level, keep making the same mistakes. Your characters might change, your plots may differ, but the depth of your work will stay the same. You'll reach a plateau and remain there. If you don't devote time to the other aspects of becoming a better writer...you'll just keep writing in a circle, never going deeper, never getting better. There is soooooo much involved in becoming a better writer: reading--fiction and non-fiction, in and out of your genre learning the craft--books, articles, classes, discussion reasearch--setting, psychology, speech patterns, history (this list could go on forever) critique--of your work by others as well as critting other's work knowing the market--agents, editors, trends I agree that if you don't write, you won't hone your skills. To grow as a writer there is no way to get around the grueling work of getting from "Once upon a time" to "The End"--struggling through the plot holes, smoothing out the rough dialogue, deepening the character traits until the h/h/v jump off the page. But I also know that if you write, write, write without stopping to give these other elements of writing time and attention, your skills will not progress as quickly or develop as deeply as they would had you paused long enough to nourish your growing ability. As there is no substitute for experience, there is also no substitute for making time to study other facets of writing. I've always been a proponent of education. I take 2-3 online courses on writing each month. I read several articles on writing each day. I participate in several writing-related message boards. I try to get out to the writing blogs to see what other writers/editors/agents are saying. I listen to my crit partners (most of the time). I participate in a local writing group. I critique others work. I enter contests. I judge contests. I pay attention to the market reports. I listen to my agent when she suggests changes. Education comes in all shapes and sizes. And while the actual act of getting words down on paper (or screen) is vitally important (obviously), I urge you to make time to refine the other skills involved in taking your talent to the next level.