Write Like a Black Belt

by Lori Hoeck @ Confident Writing

First things first, I’m a senior martial arts instructor, but I don’t believe I hold a black belt in writing …yet. How will I know when I’m there?

I will have the same traits in writing that I look for in a karate black belt candidate:

1) Tenacity

A karate black belt takes about four years to earn, and the process isn’t easy. Black belts must develop tough-mindedness along the way. Training teaches them in a stair-step process how to dig deep and press past pain, plateaus, and personal phobias. Physically, mentally, and emotionally they must face their limitations and overcome them.

To write with a black belt’s tenacity means pushing the envelope of everything related to writing.

To call myself a black belt writer, I’d want to:

• Face off with my Inner Critic wisely
• Discipline myself to write frequently
• Make creativity my best buddy, not an infrequent guest
• Tackle and conquer anything in my way, such as bad organizational skills
• Know when life or the need to heal must take priority

2) Drop the slop

One of the hardest things to teach a karate student is to flow with the physics and physiology that create speed, power, and balance — instead of fighting them.

Black belts need to settle in and cut wasted motion to execute powerful, balanced, and explosive techniques with finesse and precision. The only way to do this successfully is to be relaxed most of the time, knowing when to power up or stop dead at the right moment to minimize energy usage. It takes work to learn not to work!

As a writer this means judiciously attacking sloppiness and being powerfully precise with each word and sentence.

I’d be a black belt writer if I could:

• Kick up the snappiness of dialogue
• Cut wordiness with ninja-like deftness
• Sound off with a strong voice to make instant impact and rapport
• Punch up more powerful word usage to grab the reader by the throat
• Throw down with the passive voice and finally kick its butt!

3) Take the lead

Can you imagine a senior black belt fainting when attacked? Can you see Chuck Norris bumbling his way through an emergency situation? Can you visualize Jet Li or Jackie Chan falling apart when faced with a speaking engagement?

I doubt these scenarios would make sense to most. Quality black belt training includes training for years to take control of the body and mind of an attacker. We can’t do that by being wall flowers in our lives or timid in the midst of crisis.

Any black belt candidate must prove by example they can step up when and wherever called upon, represent their rank and training honorably, and mentor lower-ranked students.

So how does this apply to writers?

How could I display black belt-level leadership as a writer?

I find these ways of taking charge of my writing and where it’s going are important:

• Honor writing as an art, a process, and a tool for self awareness
• Take a stand if necessary with my words as my sword
• Pass on my most prized life lessons through my writing
• Create community and build bridges through the power of words
• Help other writers

And there you have it — How to Write Like a Black Belt.

Easy, yes?

What do you mean: No?

Drop and do 10 push ups now! …er …I mean 10 pages of writing.

Or better yet, just keep reading Confident Writing and learn from a real Black Belt Writer.