Marcus Neto

Becoming a Better Writer

Several months ago I was having a conversation over tequila with someone I would consider a mentor. He was describing his own journey to (what I would describe as) success. Part of his journey including being challenged by a mentor to write business plans. Many, many business plans. At the time I thought this was just part of his formal training, a curriculm followed by many. I now see that his mentor was giving him the practice he needed to succeed in the position he has today. His mentor saw something in him that told him he would need to be able to put together a vision and sell others on that vision with his writing. I can say that his mentor must be proud.

This morning I was reading Seth Godin’s blog. I was getting caught up on a month of posts when I stumbled across a great article on talker’s block. The premise is that none of us ever complain about getting talker’s block. We should strive to have the same attitude in our writing that we have with our talking. Talk, talk, talk till what comes out starts to represent something intelligible then talk some more. 

Putting 1+1 together I am beginning to understand that becoming a better writer is much easier than many would have you believe. It comes from reading writers that you would aspire to be similar to in voice. It also comes from writing, writing, writing till what comes out is presentable and with the proper voice. Succinct, powerful, intelligent, and carefully crafted. 

Now to practice….