Correct Principles

By Ali Cross

A couple weeks ago I attended Time Out For Women in which Chieko Okasaki spoke about teaching our children. She reiterated the famous statement, attributed to the Prophet Joseph Smith: When asked how he handled his people so well, the prophet replied “Simple, I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.”

Sister Okasaki suggested that we must first learn correct principles so we can properly teach them to our children. She also said all of us are free to act, but those of us who know the correct principles are far more likely to behave in keeping with the teachings of the gospel.

It occurred to me that attending writing conferences, reading books on the art of writing, and associating with other writers in critique groups or on blogs, is how we writers can learn correct writing principles.

Just like at Church, we may hear the same things taught to us over and over again, but each time there is the opportunity to glean a special golden nugget that never occurred to us before.

Furthermore, we become so well plied with good techniques and strategies, that when we search our minds for the right solution for a story/problem, we have reliable tools at hand. It doesn’t matter how experienced or inexperienced you are as a writer. All of us can benefit from education.

Take the time to learn correct writing principles, then manage your writing efforts in accordance with those principles. Also, be tenacious! Never quit learning and trying. Do this, and you will be successful.