Dear Creative,
Quick question: Are you putting into practice what you’re learning?
I really enjoy writing these letters to you because they help me, too. I want to not only read what the greats have done but also find ways to apply what works best for me. Do you agree?
Leo Tolstoy, one of the most influential authors of all time, wrote War and Peace and Anna Karenina, stated “I must write each day without fail, not so much for the success of the work as in order not to get out of my routine.”
Ray Bradbury, the famous screenwriter and science fiction author of Zen in the Art of Writing and Fahrenheit 451, “I know you’ve heard it a thousand times before. But it’s true—hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.”
Kurt Vonnegut, another literary icon, fashioned best-selling novels, like Cat’s Cradle and his magnum opus, Slaughterhouse-Five. He stated that, “To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.”
The apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament Bible, was confined to a Roman prison when he wrote a letter to the Jesus followers in Philippi, Greece, stating, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9)
All the above had different styles, techniques, varied circumstances, but two incredible things in common. They worked consistently to reach their goals, and they all received masterful results. I know you would agree. We’re still talking and learning from them.
Practicing what we have learned, modeling what we have seen, and making a routine of relearning creates a habit that enhances our skills at work. —L.A. Taylor
Today, as we reflect on our past week’s work and prepare for the upcoming one, I thought I’d check to see how well I have been doing with the lessons learned. Here is a synopsis of the letters I’ve composed to you since the beginning of this new year’s journey and a link to each:
#1. Even creatives need the presence of others for motivation, accountability, and character building.
#2. Start NOW on your creative project and ensure No Opportunity is Wasted.
#3. Creating a plan of action to stay on course even when the inevitable tragedies in life happen.
#4. The importance of our work, our talents, gifts and abilities, and why our work matters!
#5. Questions to ask when doing a weekly assessment of your work. And how to create a happy ending for 2025.
#6. My favorite productivity tool for writing is the one that helped me write a novel in less than four months.
#7. Recalibration around purpose
#8. An answer to the next steps once you have a plot and a protagonist. It’s all about the audience.
#9. Poetic lessons on writing from Maya Angelou
#10. Loving our work and feeling free to weave it into all that we do—much like James Weldon Johnson.
#11. Proper review of emails and financial statements is a less glamorous but necessary part of our operations.
#12. Using Haiku to tighten our words when editing.
Whether you are writing the next masterpiece or teaching your followers how to practice disciplines that will help spread the gospel throughout the world. Such greatness does not come by hearing only. It’s painstaking work.
Not every rule or tip will ring true or resonate with us. We know this. But when we find something that “works” for us, we should incorporate it into our routine.
If I had more time, I would love to delve deeper into this topic. Sharing insight that makes us all better means the world to me. As I mentioned earlier, your responses give me an added jolt! So, if you enjoyed any of my letters, please reach out and let me know which one and why.
Yours in the practice of prioritizing our creative work. Really,
Leah
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