You know the terror. I face it too, every time I sit down at my computer. Experienced and novice writers alike cower before it; the blank page. A void looms before us, and it can take every ounce of our collective strength to face it. Compared with the prospect, almost anything seems more appealing. I might find myself drawn to Twitter, allegedly to unearth a spark of inspiration. Or I might have the sudden urge to check my email. Even cleaning out that drawer at the bottom of the desk can seem like a vacation.

Once you've been battling this demon for a few years, you start to realize that there is a hidden pattern to the process. It's a dance, a performance, that you can learn and repeat, but never fully master. This pattern reveals itself to the writer who is willing to pay attention to the moment, and establish habits the way a martial artist practices his katas.

If you want to master your craft, you need to establish a routine as strict as that of any martial artist, and follow it:

Just like a martial artist, breaking the pattern of daily exercises can lead to slow reflexes, flabby muscles, and can even prove fatal (at least to your spirit). If you make your writing into a daily routine, in a few weeks you may find it difficult to stop. For people working on larger projects such as a book or a series of articles, this time can add up and make the task more manageable. Discipline is the key to mastery of this technique. You must not allow a day to pass without at least one writing task, even if all you do is type the same workd over and over again. What matters is that you never allow the void to defeat you.

Some writers may be protective of their creative identities, and try to hide behind the excuse that deadlines and goals dampen their free spirit. But deadlines and goals are the basic equipment in a ninja writer's exercise room. To write is to have the intention of being read. That means that there must be an end point. Make that end point explicit so you will know when you can move forward in your practice. Your target may be a daily word count, an amount of time spent each week, or something else that is meaningful to you. But make it explicit, and stick to the discipline. Measure your progress objectively against a solid personal goal. Although your goals and your deadlines are entirely personal, they must exist outside of yourself. Write them down where you can see them. Publish them on social networking sites where they will remind you regularly of your duty.

You may be shy about sharing your writing with others. This is another way that your ego tries to defeat you. Face that fear by joining (or forming) a writing squad. Training in a group forces you to test your strength against the muscle of others. You will observe their weaknesses, and learn to spot them in yourself. You also gain experience sharing your writing, and getting critical feedback, so you can rise above the limits of a fragile ego. Finding a master to train with can be a life-altering challenge, if you have the time and money to dedicate to the pursuit of your skill. The attention and rigor of following someone else's established program can kick-start your own practice. But be ready to maintain your momentum once the class ends!

A true warrior is naked without his weapon of choice, whether it is a sword or a pen. Never go anywhere without your notebook and your favorite writing instrument. You are not simply browsing in the wild for random inspiration; you are actually hunting that most elusive of prey: time. Whether you are waiting in line at the bank, sitting on the bus, or grabbing a drink at the end of the day, you can always whip out your pad and take the opportunity to brainstorm. Time is a worthy foe. If you cannot make it your slave, capture it in a thousand tiny slices, and eventually you will own it.

Ego may try to convince you that you must be paid in order to be called a writer. But even the most inexperienced warrior is still a warrior. You must begin by wearing your status as a writer with the pride it deserves. Face and overcome the doubts you may have about your right to do so. Doubt is just self-sabotage in disguise. But we manifest who we are by what we do. If you write, then you are a writer. Don't let your own ego stand in your way. You are not using the title to impress anyone else. The harshest audience is the one that rests behind your own eyes. Remind yourself that you are a writer, and you will gain the confidence that comes with realizing it to be true. The practice may even encourage you to write with more confidence, since that is what writers do.