Grindstone

Why do people become great writers? Some might say it’s due to intrinsic skill, a prenatally possessed set of qualities. Others credit numinous flashes of insight that strike out of the blue. But thriller scribe Jeff Abbott argues that creativity is a habit, one honed through organization and discipline. He has short posts up on his blog about making time to write, striking the proper balance between order and freedom, and coming up with a “trusted system” (à la David Allen of Getting Things Done fame). I hope he’s right, because while I can’t claim aptitude or inspiration, I can bloody my nose on that grindstone.

(Picture: CC 2008 by cakehole; Hat Tip: Nathan Bransford - Literary Agent)