“Talent is the assumptions we make about other people’s abilities that keep us from developing our own.”
—Barbara Baig
Is this you?
You desperately want to write. You have ideas aplenty, but somehow when you tell your story--or a character's--what comes out on the page doesn't match what's in your mind.
Or perhaps you must write, in school or at work. You try as hard as you can, but the grades (or response) you get don't reflect all those hours of effort.
In either case, you may blame yourself: I just don't have what it takes. In saying this, you're probably thinking about innate talent, more intense desire, positive thinking, the ability to dig deep into your psyche, or any other currently popular advice to aspiring writers.
The underlying message of all this advice is: You can do it.
And yes, you can.
But if you want to become an excellent writer, you do not need innate talent. You do not need the ability to excavate your psyche. You do not need fancy software, feedback groups, or a foolproof marketing plan.
What you do need is simple: You need the right skills.
What's that? you say. Skills? Isn't writing all about passion and inspiration and personal transformation? Isn't it about riding the waves of creativity, and —most of all— expressing yourself?
Nope.
Writing is about making something, be it a novel or a memoir, a blog post or a business report—something that transfers what's in your mind and heart into the minds and hearts of other people through the medium of the written word. We call that process of transferring information, images, memories, and more, communication; without it, no piece of writing, no matter how passionate, can possibly succeed.
The Mastery Path for Writers is an innovative, proven approach to learning writing skills, an approach supported by the research and writing of Professor K. Anders Ericsson, the world's leading authority on how to develop expertise, and author (with Robert Pool) of Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise.
This website provides a small hub of resources for aspiring writers of all kinds, as well as writing teachers.
If you like, you can learn about how I developed The Mastery Path, and about my published books, which teach essential writing skills through practice.
Do look around, explore, and locate the resources that will help you, right now, at this moment in your writing journey.
I welcome your comments and questions.
Find free lessons here.
“I came across your website at work as I wanted to brush off my writing skills and honestly after reading every word of the Mastery Path I think it is worth it to go through the lessons and I believe I will gain a lot from it. Thank you.”
— Porsche
“Deliberate Practice", two words that need to become part of me on the journey. I am following you, Barbara.”
— Skiefo
“Barbara, I just found these lessons on your website and I'm very intrigued already! I am on the yellow brick road towards becoming a novelist - with a book in progress. I'm constantly seeking new sources for guidance. Odd that I began to write a book without knowing how to do it. Talk about the cart before the horse! But I'm determined to see it through. Your credentials have impressed me, and I'm eager to read through all of the lessons here! My book is on hold while I back up and start at the beginning. Thank you!”
—Meg
“I have often heard it said, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." Thank you for appearing. I'm ready. (And so very grateful!)”
— Penelope Mercier
“Your approach is consistent with The Talent Code, a wonderful book written by Daniel Coyle. Talent is created through practice, not some mysterious quality that we're endowed with.”
— Bill Honnold