I've been talking about how deliberate practice trumps talent for a long time. Whether it's in art, sports, or academics, practice beats talent. Here are a couple of my recent thoughts in this regard, whose reproduction I have not authorized.
8/2/24
The Olympics and Olympic athletes are great examples and guides for what it takes to reach the highest echelons of your chosen craft.
They learn, practice, train, and compete on a routine basis year after year. Take a gymnast. They have to learn how to position their body for a given move. They have to train in the gym to strengthen their muscles to be able to execute these moves. They must learn their rountines and practice them -- piece by piece.
As writers, we can mimic their approach. Learn the craft. Break down the routine (spoken, story) into its components and practice each one in your writing gym (spoken, writing journal) on a routine basis. Deliberate practice. Train to be one percent better than you were the day before. When you feel you've got the pieces of your routine (beginnings, dialogue, endings, etc.) down the best you can, then move on to practicing the entire routine (story).
The winner's podium looks different for each of us. Maybe it's winning WOTF. Maybe it's winning Baen. It could be publishing your novel. Getting pro sales. Getting an agent. The list goes on... Reaching your podium, however, requires the same path: learning the craft, rigorous practice, intense and regular training, and the right gym with a staff who know how to win medals. We have it right here. It's yours for the taking.
5/11/24
I would disagree on the talent part. Talent is meaningless when compared to the hard work, passion, and diligent focused practice toward mastering any craft. Talent is innate and isn't attached to hard work. You have it or you don't. That said, talent is garbage. All the writing talent in the world does squat for you if you have little or no passion and work ethic. Learn your craft. Practice it with diligence every day. That leads to mastery, and mastery leads to careers.
And another bit on chasing writing fads.
8/21/24
I one hundred percent agree and would add one clarification. High quality products lead to an extensive writing career which is what we want.
There are also numerous faddish authors whose careers only last for five to seven years. Fifty Shades, for example. It's a business. Publishers, like gamblers and stock brokers, look for their best bets and ride the money waves. That's one side of the biz.
Publishers, and more importantly agents, also know a quality product and a writer capable of delivering it over the long term. This is the goal. Fads come and go. We don't want to be the flash in the shiny pan. We want to be that dependable cast-iron skillet that you use when you want a delicious meal every time.