Lately I’ve been learning to watercolor.

A dear friend of mine recently lost her father, and I want to paint her a mountain range with a Bible verse. I now have ten drafts of the same image, all done along with the same Youtube video for beginners.

Progress is slow…but I’m surprised by how good they’re looking. Just by following instructions, they’re getting better.

But of course! I’d almost forgotten:

Quality doesn’t come from extreme effort. Nor from some mysterious spark that only some people have.

It comes from going back to basics.

🎨

It took me a long time to learn this about writing.

For a long time, I thought my stories and essays were an exception. *My* writing had extra flair; *I* didn’t need the basics.

Predictably, what I wrote sounded precious, inauthentic, unrelatable.

Now I know how much the basics matter.

They make for better writing and better reading—every time.

📖

What are those basics, exactly?

Writing one true sentence. Then another. Then another.

Telling the truth, especially when it’s messy.

That’s what it all comes down to. Practicing the basics, over and over. And letting them work their own magic – because they always do.

If you’re writing a book, and you could use some guidance, structure, feedback, and/or accountability, set up a call with me here.

I’d love to see where your ideas will take you.