I recently registered to run the 2010 New York City Marathon on November 7. My reasons for wanting to run the marathon are complex, and 2010 will be the year, despite the fact that I’ve been deferring my entry for longer than I care to admit.
To help me with my training, I ordered two resources from Amazon: The Non-Runner’s Marathon Trainer and the Marathon & Half-Marathon Training Journal: Log & Diary for Runners. When these books arrived, a startling thing happened: I became excited about finishing my novel.
As mentioned in earlier posts, exercise and writing are closely intertwined in my psyche. This training guide on how to run 26.2 miles without suffering the same fate that supposedly befell the original Marathon runner, Pheidippides, reminded me of the literary marathon I’ve been pursuing for the past six months: specifically, the penning of my latest novel draft.
Some of the writing lessons I’ve learned from both reading (this book, other resources) and doing (writing and running):
- Create your own reality. The old Henry Ford quote is true, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you’re usually right.” If you see yourself sitting down day after day (or night after night) and setting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, cheerfully churning out words, you’ll have a better writing experience than someone who envisions the process with fear and dread. Writing – and the stories we tell ourselves about the writing process – can be scary. But we choose whether to make our art a joy or a burden. (If you like being a tortured artist, then please proceed.)
- Focus on the positive. Developing a positive mental attitude is key to overcoming our innate resistance. Whether you’re too tired to run or write, whatever your excuse may be, tell yourself “… but it doesn’t matter” and do it anyway. Maybe you’re stressing about some boneheaded move your protagonist made during your last session. Remind yourself “it doesn’t matter” and fix the situation in the next draft. You’ll feel much better for continuing the forward momentum.
- Knock down that wall. Most people who have contemplated running a marathon hear about “the wall,” that point around mile 18 or 20 when you think you can’t possibly go any further. I’ve hit that point at the 100,000-word mark in my novel, as I lament the number of undeveloped plot lines and wonder how my heroine and her love interest will ever get together in the next 15,000 words. Here’s where the first two lessons come into play: If you focus on the positive and keep the end goal in sight, you’ll finish. So I’m going to head downstairs and get to writing.
Have you ever tackled a lengthy writing project and lost momentum along the way? How did you get yourself back on track? If it’s still sitting on your computer or in a notebook, forgotten, what would it take to get you moving forward again?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Most of my writing these days is more on the essay-length, but I do have something left over from my creative writing class that’s still waiting for me to return to it. I think the concept was a good one…a story based on the lyrics from a song about an immigrant family, who were separated by events out of their control, and the correspondence they shared.
I don’t know what it’ll take to get back to it. I was a little out of my depth with it. Fiction’s not my strong suit, and I don’t feel I was staying true to the historical aspects, mostly because of my lack of knowledge in that area. Oh, wait, that’s focusing on the wrong thing, isn’t it? What’s the positive? Let’s see…
I wanted to write a book of stories and never got around to it. The stories are mostly ready to be revised and put into a book format but I don’t know how to do that.
At the moment I’m planning an ebook.
The ebook is just an experiment to learn the process of putting a book together.
But forcing myself to do it will help with the ultimate goal which will follow.
BTW you are a published author.
And so is Skye.
So at the moment I’m the only one who isn’t..
I am? Gosh, I gotta keep up with the lies I’m telling. Or are you referring to my days on the school newspaper? And actually, nowadays, technically, does your writing have to be in print to be considered published? If not, then all of us are published authors just by the fact that we keep blogs
Did I ever mention that some of my photos were published in a book? So, I’m a published photographer too. Oh, wait, is that another lie I’m telling?
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Skye- You did the community paper. I didn’t even know about the school paper. And way to rub it in with the published photos thing.
I like the idea of being a published author because we blog.
Perhaps doing an audio post makes us radio stars and video posts makes us movie stars as well. Woohoo..
Mistina- You’re running a marathon. Holy crap..
From my experience biking there are certain standards that, once met, change you and change how other bike riders perceive you.
I assume a marathon is the equivalent standard for runners. It will change you. And it will change how others perceive you.
Completing your book will be the same I think. It will change how you perceive yourself. And it will change how others perceive you..
Skye, who’s to say fiction isn’t your strong suit? The most important aspect of the story you describe seems to be the relationships between the family members. It’s about human connections. You can always layer in historical accuracy later. (And if you don’t like to research, you can find some great help to look into that for you. I just read Under the Dome, Stephen King’s latest epic, and he asked a friend to help him work out all the scientific details.)
What kind of ebook are you planning, Glen? And what kind of help do you need? Ask, and ye shall receive. If I can’t help you personally, I can probably point you in the right direction.
As for publishing… Many talented writers have not published by choice. Perhaps they’re afraid of rejection, of success, of their loved ones’ response to their writing. You’re sharing your writing with the world. And you’ve attracted a loyal following with your sincere, funny, yet poignant stories.
I suspect you’re right about the marathon and the novel. Until I actually finish one, or both, I won’t be happy with myself. So I’m going to leave the computer and run a 5K.
Thank you both for visiting this blog and for sharing your insights. My life is richer for it.
Glen, I completely forgot about the community paper. Sure wish I had actually bought some of those papers, instead of just relying on the computer version, because now they’ve deleted the page altogether, and I have no way to prove I actually wrote anything for them…lol.
Mistina, I got so involved answering your question that I completely forgot to mention how impressed I am that you’re working towards a marathon. Registering for one is half the battle. It’ll force you to actually go through with it, as will putting it in writing here, so you’re stuck now. Glen and I will hold you accountable
Gaahh… What was I thinking, confessing this in public? Now I have no choice but to finish the novel AND run the darn marathon.
Seriously, I can use all the accountability I can get. My hubby has insisted that I’m doing this marathon, even if I have to drag myself across the finish line on my elbows.
psssssst…where the heck did you git?