Writing is Like… (Part 2)

Writing is like exercise. Ideally we’d all do it at least 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon

If I wanted to run a marathon I would have to do an intense daily training regimen. But even though I’m not personally interested in running a marathon, it’ s still important for me to regularly exercise so I stay healthy and fit. Only if I’m exercising regularly do I have the muscle strength and physical stamina to participate in the physical activities I enjoy, like racquetball and hiking.

Writing is like exercise. If you’re writing regularly your “writing muscles” will be in shape, more practiced, more capable of performing. The habit of writing stimulates ideas. It makes it go more smoothly.

You may be able to run a few miles without exercising regularly, or write a 5 page paper the day before it’s due, but neither will make you very happy. If you want to write at your best or to improve your writing, you should write every single day.

Make sure to check out all my Writing is like… posts, from this page on Metaphors about Writing.