I recently came across this interesting blog post by Justine Lee Musk that discusses what it really takes (according to some) to become a successful author. I love this quote by Malcom Gladwell: “When we look at any kind of cognitively complex field — for example, playing chess, writing fiction or being a neurosurgeon — we find that you are unlikely to master it unless you have practiced for 10,000 hours. That’s 20 hours a week for 10 years. ”

Some would argue that good writers are born, others argue the plot and craft can be taught. For the record, I agree with both statements. Some people are born with a knack for the written word. Some folks just grasp grammar and “the rules.” But others, the dedicated ones, are certainly capable of studying the greats, dissecting the classics, learning from everything and everyone around them.

And I think that is precisely what Gladwell means. Just like a degree, writing takes time and dedication. At a recent chapter meeting writer Tami Brother’s delivered a presentation on what she knows now that she wishes she’d known back when she started writing. One thing that really stuck with me was when she said learning to write takes time or money. Sometimes it takes both.

It takes money in the form of buying how to books, a computer, perhaps workshops and conferences, contest entries, and postage. Then there are the books you buy that you’re passionate about and learn from even though they’re purely for enjoyment.

Writing takes time in that you must pay for all of the above and then scour those books, listen in those workshops, take notes at conferences. Networking takes time. Building an author platform takes time. Research takes time. Writing…takes time.

Musk goes on to remind us that 10,000 hours equals 10 years. Ten years of study, networking, and practice. Even if you have five books under your bed gathering dust, those were still good practice. I’ve heard more than one author say that each book they write is better than the last. And I imagine that’s true. Most of us cringe when we look back on that very first manuscript we ever wrote.

Here’s a secret about my first novel…I wrote it long hand in a journal, and I never gave dialog it’s own line. It had quotation marks, but everything wrapped into the paragraph. Honestly, I did that to save space. There were only so many pages in that little notebook. But now when I try to go back and read that story, the lack of proper formatting drives me crazy.

So, lesson learned. There’s a reason why they say practice makes perfect. And if that’s the case, well, I’m on…year 14, so… well on my way to perfection, and past my 10,000 hours.

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