From the Fiction Desk

The study of Martial Arts, no matter the style, is a journey of the mind and the spirit into self-discovery. Students come to martial arts for various reasons with various misconceptions. The student begins to unlearn what they think they have learned before they came to the art. They learn the technical aspects first and then they learn the framework and how to develop plans for defense and for attack. First they learn these by mimicry of their instructors and then they begin to add their own self expression into their katas (forms), techniques and sparring. They continue to relearn and rediscover what they thought they knew and understood only to see it from a new light. They embrace the martial art no longer out of the reason and misconception that they had when they first started their journey, but out of a self-discovery they have had on that journey that has transformed their mind, their soul and their understanding of who they are.

If this sounds vaguely familiar to a writer, do not be surprised. Writers go through the same process of self-discovery about who they are and why they commit themselves to a hard road of constant learning. Our reasons for putting ink on paper should change over time. Many beginning writers come to the art of writing out of misconceptions they thought they knew and soon learn the truth about writing. Some writers, as some marital arts students, leave when they discover that it is not what they thought and it is not for them. Sometimes they do not want to develop the discipline that is required or that they don’t want to face the failure that comes with learning and discovery. The new writer learns by looking to classes and books on writing, by emulating their favorite journalist, author or poet. Then after a long journey they discover themselves and their true voice.

A Black Belt is meant to be a sign of mastery of yourself and an understanding of the art that always changes. One should never buy a Black Belt ranking, though sadly this does happen in some schools. A master writer is like a Black Belt in the art of writing. They have gone through the trials and tribulations and discovered that they have the discipline, self-discovery, and an understanding that their art always changes. It can be argued that some “buy” their way into publication because of fame or power. Yet, just as with those who have bought their Black Belt, they have missed the journey and will never understand what they never realized they missed.

Please visit www.davidalanlucas.com for more information on the articles, blogs, non-fiction books, stories, novels, and poetry I write.