Reading Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s post about my blog (thanks Debbie!) and hearing from other running writers, got me thinking that running and writing might be linked.
New runners & writers often start with high aims – to run a marathon or win a writing competition.
But the truth is you can’t run a marathon without putting in time training.
And you don’t (generally) win a writing contest without polishing your writing skills.
Both disciplines take time.
Neither need a huge cash injection to get you started. A pair of sneakers, or a pen and paper.
Of course you can get all the fancy running gear, or a computer with writing software, but it won’t improve your performance. Only time and pratice will do that.
Lots of people run for fun, a few make a lot of money. Many people have big dreams that will never come true. The same is true of writing.
The best way to get satisfaction from running (or writing) is to enjoy the process.
Let the process become the result and you can’t lose.
Words of wisdom, Debra, and I couldn’t agree more.
Hi Debra–
Another important link…when you’re running great you’re “in the zone.” Same with writing!
Hey Debra.
I just read what you wrote. It makes a lot of sense. It is true that one should enjoy the process of creating something. Initially there was so much pressure on me… people talk about writing as being a very dicey thing to do. Everyone is money oriented and they have so big dreams and when the work gets rejected they break out, not because the work got rejected but because of the hopes they had attached to it.
But the thing is, do you want to write because you enjoy the writing, what if your work got rejected would it get you dejected?
I enjoy my wokr, and there is nothing like it… tremendous job satisfaction… I hope that others realize that and stop thinking for me and wondering if things would get me down or what its worth to me…
Exactly. If you don’t enjoy the work, what’s the point in the end?