The Kung Fu of Writing™: How to begin a daily practice and work toward the Black Belt of Professional Writer

By Terrie Leigh Relf

I've been studying Kung Fu for about two-and-a-half years with Jung Shee Rich Robson of the Kung Fu Academy (visit http://www.kungfusandiego.com ). The longer I practice Kung Fu, the more I learn that it's not only a way of life, but a practice to work with my life.

So, what does Kung Fu have to do with writing, you're probably asking?

Loosely translated, "Kung Fu" means "hard work over a long period of time."  

See the connection?

In order to develop as a writer, you need to have a daily practice.   A rigorous daily practice.   Ok, so I'm a better writer than I am a Kung Fu student (with apologies to my teacher...), but the desire is there.   That's step one.   You have to want it.   You have to need it.   You have to start twitching if you're not getting to pound into that rock bag or keyboard.   You're given to irrational outbursts in public if you're not throwing someone to the ground or some character into conflict resolution.

You crawl into Kung Fu (or to your computer chair) whining and complaining.   After class (or after that two hours of writing), you're kissing the carpet (or your computer screen).   You feel better than good.   All is right in the Tao. You're primed to take on the next opponent or the next page.

Ultimately, you're really "fighting" yourself, so doesn't it follow that you need to know as many techniques as possible?   Doesn't it also follow that you need to know your weak spots as well as your strengths?   How do you get out of the way of a "Right Inside Windmill" or a story that's headed for the shredder?

The good thing about Kung Fu--and writing--is that there's always something new to learn, a new level to attain.

But how do you start the flow in the first place?

Good question.

Many Kung Fu forms begin with what is called the "natural stance."   You stand feet together, arms at the side, pelvis tucked, head up, and breathe.   In writing, our "natural stance" is sitting at the computer or at a nice café with a double mocha with extra whipped cream, pen and notebook in hand.   My point?   Kung Fu teaches us how to move naturally, as the body was intended to move; so, too, does writing.   Since I am a definite believer in the body-mind connection, it's important to emphasize that we can adopt a natural posture when we write.   It's not just about sitting up straight with our head up, shoulders back, and chest open, it's about inviting the writing in.   It's there--just like ch'i.   Be aware of it coursing through your body.   Don't block it.   Allow it to flow.   There--see!

A practice is something that is regularly performed.   Yes, it brings routine to our lives, but it is also something integral to our lives--a spiritual practice.   Having a spiritual practice means various things.   If you take the definition that a spiritual practice is a tool to work with your day-to-day life, to process your experience, to grow as a human being, then writing may be just that for you.  

If you haven't purchased -or viewed--Steven Michael Gregory's We, the Writer , yet, then I encourage you to do so, as this is an issue which is touched on in the film.   Something is missing from my life when I'm not writing--and so I write every day. On those days when "stuff comes up" and I can't really get a good writing workout, I move commas around, rethink word choices, delete paragraphs that aren't working or make notes to address other issues in the story.   I also read and reread what's been written and accepted, written and rejected--even the rejection letters themselves.   Many editors are more than accommodating when it comes to telling you what doesn't work...I've been especially fortunate in that regard.

The root, or the source for , your writing practice is the desire to have one!   Attitude is key.   And, as My Friend, the Feng Shui Consultant, Sada Anand Khaur Khalsa asks me:   Is this what you want to give your vital energy to?--

What we focus on grows...

Try These Moves:

• Create a space for writing--this includes all varieties of stage setting--including costuming and catering!

• Create time for writing.   Write out your daily, weekly, and monthly schedule.  

• What do you want to write?   Poetry?   Fiction?   Articles?   Memoir?  

• Who inspires you?   Read what you want to write.

• What is the purpose of your writing?   What do you want to accomplish?   What do you want it to mean?

• Show your work to others.   Join a writing group, pair up with a friend, take a class online or live.   Knowledge is meant to be exchanged...

• What publications do you want to be in?   Visualize yourself on their pages--then make it happen!

Ultimately, when you breathe, breathe.   When you write, write.  

Terrie Leigh Relf lives in the arty community of South Park in San Diego, CA. In addition to teaching English Composition and Critical Thinking at San Diego City College, Relf is a free-lance writing coach, writer and editor. She pens "The Mistress of Rhetoric" column forThe Espresso, San Diego's Newspaper for Coffee and Café Culture , and has recently moved her "Poet's Workshop" column from writersmonthly.us (which closed its cyber doors) to MindFire Renewed, where she also edits FireWeed, a mini-newsletter. Relf is also the poetry editor, etc. for WORD San Diego (a new print zine from the former publisher of writersmonthly.us) and the "deputy" poetry editor for NFG--Writing with Attitude .