How Often Do You Go Back To The Basics?

I saw an interesting post today that proclaimed to have six basic writing tips.  I came this close to passing it on by. Heck I’m a writer already aren’t I?  Let the noobs spend some time reading those kinds of articles.  Okay, that didn’t exactly cross my mind.  I’m a bit more open than that.  The article was on one of my favorite writing blogs and I clicked on the post just to see what was being offered.  I mean, there’s about a gazillion basic writing tips, right?

Lo and behold there was nothing profound in the article.  With that said, there was a lot of good stuff in terms of reminders.  Tips that I had strayed from, others that I hold dear.  It got me thinking how important it can be to make sure the foundation of my house is in good order.  Truly, good writing basics are the foundation of any writing house.  Sure, you may get away with fudging one or even a hundred times but one day, it will turn and bite you.  Most likely when you least expect it and when it can do you the most harm.

I’m not saying it’s necessary to spend hours each month reading Strunk or other writing texts that you check out from the library.  Far from it.  What I am suggesting is that you have an awareness of the integrity that comes with being a professional in your chosen craft.  The integrity I speak of equates to giving a damn about what you do for a living, how best to serve the people that are paying your rent, and most importantly how you involve yourself with being the best writer you can be.

Awareness is the operative word.  Awareness means that you are sensitive to doing the right thing in terms of being as knowledgeable as you can about this whole business of writing.  Awareness means keeping an eye out for the times when it may be tempting to cut corners or to slide into old, unproductive ways of doing things. Awareness is your friend.  Your confidant, your compass in a turbulent sea.  Embrace it.  Live by its code.

So give yourself a little love and self check now and then your basics status.  Every once in a while look at a piece of writing that you just finished.  Pull out your basics critical eye and give the writing an honest assessment looking at things like the grammar and spelling.  Ask yourself if the writing is well researched.  Is the writing honest?

The time you spend to review your writing basics is not time wasted.  If through the course of a year you scrub one bad writing habit from doing this then the minimal effort will be worth it.

I’m curious about my fellow writers.  Do you folks stand back and critically eye your work for the basics.  Do you have a process or specific schedule?