[This is part of the series: 20 Writing Tips From John Erickson]
Writers are disciplined, plain and simple.
Actually: Professional writers and disciplined.
In fact, I think that the main difference between an amateur writer and a professional writer is that a professional is both disciplined about their work and refuses to give up.
An amateur writer writes when inspiration shows up and then quits in the face of adversity.
You can be the most talented writer in the world – but if you quit writing two or three years into it – you are never going to be anything.
If you want to be a writer – cultivate a literary life.
It takes a desire to improve, the discipline to do the work, and the fortitude to not give up.
Understand: Your writing discipline matters.
15. Good writers are disciplined: Perspiration vs. Inspiration.
-John Erickson, Story Craft (Amazon)
