I was regarded as a good writer at school. I did very well in my creative writing assignments, won a few awards for it and so on. Thing is, I haven't done it for over 10 years and I am - to put it mildly - rusty.
As part of my work I do a lot of writing but it is all of a technical nature. I do try and make it as elegant as I can within the constraints of whatever document I am trying to complete but it's still a different kettle of fish to this kind of piece.
I have also trained in various martial arts for almost 10 years now. One thing I have found to be fundamental to the process of learning a new art is that the only way to make the movements instinctive is to perform them over and over again. This is especially true when you are starting a new art in my experience. For instance, the basic method of moving across a space (say, to close distance with an opponent) in kendo is significantly different to the way a muay thai practitioner would do it. There is no simply 'walking' in either of these martial arts. The movements are reasoned and have a great deal of thought and practical experience behind them. The only way to make these movements a natural way of traveling across a floor or ring for you is to practice it. Over and over again. Usually under the watchful eye of an instructor.
I am also not a dualist. I believe that the 'mind' is seated in the physical brain. I fully admit that we don't understand how this works exactly right now but I believe we can see evidence for it in diseases like Alzheimer's and other neurological disorders and the way they fundamentally alter the people afflicted with them. Following this, I believe that the brain can be 'exercised' similarly to the body. In fact, I think the two are indivisible.
The point I am (excruciatingly) working my way around to is that I am hoping my writing will improve simply by the act of doing more writing and I apologise in advance for any ugly missteps.
