Becoming a Better Writer

If it is true that you are what you do...over and over and over again, then it must mean that if you want to be a better (fill in the blank)....

mother, runner, wife, friend, lawn mower, church goer, you name it...

well then, essentially, you must have to fake it until miraculously, some day, you arrive.

I want and have wanted to be a better writer for as long as I can remember.

I remember learning what a "theme" was in high school English class and thinking, I love the concept of a thesis statement, supporting evidence, a nice lead in, seamless transitions.

Later in college, I recall receiving the dreaded blue book at test time.  My favorite exams were essays.  I abhor multiple choice answer quizzes.  No fun in that.

Supplementing the formal writing, for most of my life, I've written in some form of a diary or journal.  I have gazads of them packaged in boxes in the basement documenting the trials, tribulations, and joys of my life.

But the reality of it all is that my writing needs work.  And unfortunately, like any skill, the only way to improve is to practice and to submit it to outside eyes.

So, I've decided to push myself to write an essay a week and to force it on one of my unsuspecting friends who will hopefully provide me with constructive feedback and helpful suggestions.

Until then, I'll keep writing stories in my head that will one day lead to paper and eventually onto the keyboard and hopefully into the hands or eyes of another, because I suppose, writers write.