By Linda Dindzans, M.D
Billions of people viewed the Paris Olympics, and I enthusiastically joined them. While watching, it occurred to me that writers could be viewed as comparable to athletes and writing could be considered a sport. While most Olympians will not take home a medal, and most writers will not become worldwide best sellers, both groups have entered a race toward excellence. A race that is as much about participation as winning. A race that is more a long-distance run or swim than a sprint.
Just as the race of the Olympian sculpts the body, the race of the writer sculpts the mind . Both races impact the individual racers and those who watch, read, or cheer them on. Olympians may inspire viewers to take up their sport. And writers may inspire readers to pick up their pens.
Like any sport, the writer’s race requires
- daily training and endurance
- coaching
- revision
- risk taking, resilience and persistence
- encouragers
Daily training and endurance
Athletes have slumps or injuries they must work through. Consistency is key. Consistency builds momentum. We have all watched athletes build momentum. Gymnasts take giant swings before an incredible dismount from the bars. Long-jumpers take running starts. Discus throwers spin to gain momentum.
Some days it is all a writer can do to “show up”, but momentum can be maintained even when the writer feels stuck.
The writer can cross- train
- read widely
- edit others
- take courses
- attend conferences for spiritual and arm-in-arm encouragement
Training will look different for each writer , but through prayer and quiet time, God will individualize a routine for each of us.
Coaching
Athletes need someone to analyze their form, correct mistakes, and set an effective regimen that provides a framework for accountability and improvement. Likewise, writers need coaches or critique partners. Many writers find accountability partners who sign-in with them for writing sprints and word counts. I am reminded of Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Revision
Writing is re-writing. Every opening and closing. Every paragraph and sentence. Each and every word should be examined. Enough said.
Risk taking, resilience and persistence
Years ago, when my daughter was training at the National Theatre Institute, I read their unforgettable tagline––Risk. Fail. Risk Again. As writers we must lean into our failures, rise to risk again, and persist with what God has called us to write and who He has called us to be.
Encouragers
Writers need encouragement from friends, family and other writers. This support can take many forms––prayers, fellowship, launch teams, cookies.
Reasons Writers are Athletes and Writing is a Team Sport #LindaDindzans #ACFW #ChristianFiction #writing #writingcommunity Click To TweetThe writing race is not only an individual competition. Writing is also a team sport.
Think swimming or gymnastics where the individual competes but is also awarded team points. Anthologies are like a relay race where one writer hands off to the next. Critique partners, beta readers, and editors––who are often other writers–– are part of your team. Excellent writers within your genre, can attract more readers to that genre––a team reward.
Final thoughts
During the opening ceremony, as teams from various countries floated in boats down the Seine, I realized… just as the athletes compete for the honor of their nations, we as Christian writers race for the glory of His Kingdom. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7.
The roster of events can also be viewed as a metaphor for the genres of writing . The most popular gymnastics events must be analogous to the best-selling romance genre. Besides, the whole world “seems to fall in love” with these athletes. On the other hand, BMX biking would clearly be considered an action/thriller genre. My genre is Biblical fiction, set in ancient history and lengthy, so I would claim the classic marathon as my metaphor.
Let’s have a little creative fun. Which Olympic event or sport is the best metaphor for your genre?
Be sure and leave your comments.
Linda Dindzans, M.D., a writer with the heart of a healer, offers readers stories of redemption and restoration. She believes there is nothing new under the sun. and the struggles of her characters still speak to hearts today. A Certain Man, Scrivenings Press, August 2024 is her debut novel.
Comments 13
A powerfully inspiring post. Thank you, Dr. Dindzans.
Blessings as you write with King Jesus!
MaryAnn
I’m glad! Thank you!
Linda; Thank you for your column. I loved from the perspective of a writer as a writer and a character dwelling within your metaphors. Just yesterday, I was working through the first end of my Christian suspense/action novel, the fourth book in my Home Team series. I seemed to come up against a wall and started doubting my abilities and commitment as a writer. I shut down the laptop, took a hike through a nearby park, and sat by a river to calm my mind. By that river, I realized that my wife and I just moved from Washington State to Middle Tennessee a year ago, and all my writing support was back in Washington. Just like you suggested in your column, I realized I need the stimulation that comes from sharing ideas, edits, and through general interaction with other writers. An hour later, back at my desk, I located a writer’s group in the area and intend to pay them a visit.
But your story resonated with me at another, very personal level. I was one of those gymnasts through high school and then at the NCAA level. For ten years of my life, I remember trying, risking, falling, getting up, and trying again and finally succeeding at a sport I loved. It seemed to take forever to capture and apply the skills I needed to master. Sometimes I wondered if I would ever be any good. But my time came after years of coaching, interaction with like-minded athletes, hard work, and more muscles and injuries that I can count. But I succeeded more than I ever imagined I would. I also competed in Tae Kwan Do at the national and international levels, making the national Poomse team just nine years ago at age 61. At that age and in that sport, I once again realized the value of excellent coaching, interaction with well informed and talented peers, and years and years of hard work. That sport, like gymnastics, required practice, taking risks, standing up after a fall, and continuing to try. The bottom line for me is that your metaphors ring so very true with me as I dig back into my current novel. Your words have helped me recharge my commitment, renew my willingness to put in the time, and my love of writing. Thanks for that.
Please delete my response. Terrible edits; I was so excited. Please replace it with this version:
Linda; Thank you for your column. I loved it from the perspective of a writer and a character dwelling within your metaphors. Just yesterday, I was working through the first edit of my Christian suspense/action novel, the fourth book in my Home Team series. I seemed to come up against a wall and started doubting my abilities and commitment as a writer. I shut down the laptop, took a hike through a nearby park, and sat by a river to calm my mind. By that river, I realized that my wife and I just moved from Washington State to Middle Tennessee a year ago, and all my writing support was back in Washington. Just like you suggested in your column, I realized I need the stimulation that comes from sharing ideas, edits, and through general interaction with other writers. An hour later, back at my desk, I located a writer’s group in the area and intend to pay them a visit.
But your story resonated with me at another, very personal level. I was one of those gymnasts through high school and then at the NCAA level. For ten years of my life, I remember trying, risking, falling, getting up, and trying again and finally succeeding at a sport I loved. It seemed to take forever to capture and apply the skills I needed to master my routines. Sometimes I wondered if I would ever be any good. But my time came after years of coaching, interaction with like-minded athletes, hard work, and more sore muscles and injuries that I can count. But I succeeded more than I ever imagined I would.
I also competed in Tae Kwan Do at the national and international levels, making the national Poomse team just nine years ago at age 61. At that age and in that sport, I once again realized the value of excellent coaching, interaction with well informed and talented peers, and years and years of hard work. That sport, like gymnastics, required practice, taking risks, standing up after a fall, and continuing to try. The bottom line for me is that your metaphors ring so very true with me as I dig back into my current novel. Your words have helped me recharge my commitment, renew my willingness to put in the time, and my love of writing. Thanks for that.
Thank you so much. It means so much to me to know that my writing in some way helped! So often we do not know the outworking of our words.
I encourage you to follow through with the local writing group. Also ACFW and Word Weavers have online critique groups.
What a rich and rewarding background in sports you have had. I used to pray that my children would find something they wanted to do well. For my daughter it became “life skills through stage skills.” For me it was music, but also I was a cox’n in Boston with a very group of very committed oarswomen. For me, sports were also a life metaphor.
I am excited for this next adventure as a debut author of Biblical fiction… blogging is entirely new to me, but I made myself take the risk.
Linda, this was a great post, both encouraging and informative.
Glad it was a source of encouragement!
Great post! Thank you for your inspiration and encouragement. I had similar thoughts this past week whilst writing. Thus, the 1983 song The Race Is On by Michael W. Smith has been playing in the background. We’re in this race to the end. ‘Tis not an easy race, to be sure. I’ve spent a decade of “training” on my first manuscript. Ugh. So much writing, re-writing, research, and plot shifting… For the longest time, I neglected my hero’s deepest desire. I gave it to him on a whim, thinking, yeah, why not? Only to ignore it for years. ‘Twas nigh the beginning of this year I relented and caved. I asked myself how I was going to make it work. The dude wanted something outside his grasp. However, the words flowed faster than I could write them. I past the first hurdle of finishing a manuscript. Now comes the real fun.
My novel is set in the Middle Ages and begins with an archery competition, so that’d be my sport. However, there is a swordsmanship competition and a nasty duel or two, so Fencing would be a secondary sport. Why limit myself to one sporting event? 🙂
In the Middle Ages, I’m sure the champions fought with more than one weapon and cross -training was essential for survival.
Even thirty years ago, there were many high school athletes that lettered in three or four sports— not any longer.
On a totally different topic… my favorite torch lighting ceremony for the Olympics was the archer in Barcelona
Beautifully penned, my friend. Love the way you express yourself, and your encouragement is so well timed. Thank you. Looking forward to seeing you again, and praying blessings on your new release!
Thank you and prayers appreciated!
My genre is Historical Christian Fiction. With all the research, writing, rewriting, and all that goes into a manuscript I would say that Tae Kwon Do would be the sport closest to my writing. When I was dating my now husband he introduced me to karate and began to teach me at my request. I joined the team he was on and spent the next several years developing my skills, entering tournaments, and polishing my craft. When I had to lay that aside I was only a couple of belts from black. Even though I had to take a different life turn I felt good about the progress I had made and all I had learned in the process. Thank you for this post. It was well timed for me.
So glad! The timing was His. I’m sure your martial arts training taught you the importance of a well timed, focused punch. And it is the same in writing! Prayers for your writing journey. Follow me online and I will look for you.