Sterling Terrell

recovering economist

Studying Writing, Is Different Than Writing

Studying Writing, Is Different Than Writing
Studying writing is different than writing?

Of course, it is.

Because the action is always different than the planning.

I stumbled across this quote while reading about the writing life from Steven Pressfield.

In it, Pressfield goes into detail about the differences in professional writers and amateur writers.

All of it made me think of this post by Jeff Goins.

“It is one thing to study war and another to live the warrior’s life. —Telamon of Arcadia, mercenary of the fifth century B.C.“
–Steven Pressfield, The War Of Art

The Artist Senses Their Own

The Artist Senses Their Own

I found this idea that an artist senses other artists to be true.

But, I believe it can be true in many other professions as well.

For instance, a writer can tell if another writer is posturing or not. How? Because if you have done the work, it shows.

Writing 300,000 words a year for 10 years changes you.

The work shows in your attitude, your outlook, and in your eyes.

It is for this same reason that a Navy Seal can spot their own.

The same is probably true for computer programmers, cowboys, and commodity traders.

“The professional senses who has served his time and who hasn’t. Like Alan Ladd and Jack Palance circling each other in Shane, a gun recognizes another gun.”

–Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

Sterling Terrell