I've been a drummer longer than I've been a writer. But I feel a lot more comfortable writing. That confidence seems to be rooted in practice.

On the one hand, I have greater access and more opportunity to work with words. (Practicing writing at 1:00 a.m. is more neighborly than practicing drumming.) So frequency helps build comfort. On the other, the ability to write doesn't seem to dissipate as quickly as the ability to drum. The muscle memory is different. The talent upkeep more relentless.

So, two different kinds of art require two different maintenance schedules.

And if the art truly matters, I'll stop making excuses and make the time to practice.