Photo from Jupiter Stock ImagesI used to be able to call myself a long-distance runner. I sucked more than anyone else on the cross-country team, but in gym class, I was a god, a seven-minute-mile wonder woman. For the first time in my athletically challenged life, I could do something physically strenuous for hours without getting tired.
And then there came college, and with it the infamous Freshman 15. I was never quite the same after that, especially since I lived above a dining hall my sophomore year. All I had to do was put on slippers and pajama pants, and burgers and macaroni-and-cheese and cannoli were just a flight of stairs away.
Four years after graduation, I'm still working on getting back into shape. I recently signed up for an expensive gym to help motivate myself, and so far, it's been working. Every week, I run a little faster. I run a little longer. If I'm on the elliptical, I crank up the resistance level a little more.
I'm not going to lie - exercising is damn hard. Most days, my attitude is: "Why am I sweating and smelling bad when I could be on the couch, eating candy and watching Vampire Diaries?"
But then there are the good days, the days when I'm feeling great and the right song comes up on my iPod and I'm pumped to be running four, five, six miles.
Let me tell you something - running and writing are the exact same thing.
You might ask an athlete: "Why are you running a marathon?"
And then they might turn around and ask you: "Why are you doing NaNoWriMo?"
And that's when you say: "Because I'm a bad ass. That's why."
And it would totally be true, because you know what? Not everyone can write 50,000 words in one month. FIFTY THOUSAND WORDS. That's crazy, y'all. And that's on top of real life.
When it boils down to it, I think participating in NaNoWriMo is just as insane as running 26 miles in one go. Which is why, if you're taking part this November, you need to stand up right now and pat yourself on the back. You are a truly awesome individual.
I wish I were doing it again this year, but I'm currently stuck on the Cliffs of Insanity, revising PPP.
Good luck on Tuesday... I'll be rooting you guys on from the sidelines! If revisions go well, I might join you for the second half of November and see if I can't write my children's book then.
So, how have you prepared for this year's writing marathon?
23 comments:
I'll be standing on the sidelines with you...cheering everybody else on!
Wanna go get a cannoli? :)
Wow, that is the perfect analogy! I'll cheer with you and DL and much on cannolis. :)
I won't be doing the marathon as I don 't think I can write a marathon poem. But good luck to you.
Yvonne.
Haha! I just wrote about running and writing, too!
Not sure about nano...I probably need to do NaNoFiMo and finish something I am working on...
Shelley
I totally get the running/writing comparison. There are so many parallels it's scary.
I'm in it to win it for NaNo this year--and also hosting a songfest to have some music to listen to while I work. It promises to be a blast of a month!
Good luck with your revisions! :D
I did it last year, so I know it can be done!
Not participating this year, but I'll cheer for those involved.
Ha, the Cliffs of Insanity! I just read The Princess Bride for the fun (love that movie!) I'm hanging there, too, as I finish my fairy tale, but I'm almost to the top! Good luck to you getting there and to all the NaNoers.
Go you! My knees are all messed up from dancing so no more running for me.
I say do your revisions for NaNo - that's what I'm doing :)
I'm editing in November--no NaNo for me!
And I'm with you--I don't always love running while I'm doing it, but it feels good after that first couple miles!
I'm still undecided about whether I'm doing NaNoWriMo, which I guess means I'm out since I want to give the next MS plenty of prep time. I'll be in the cheering section with you and DL. Good luck with your ongoing revisions!
I'm starving now! But you're right - it's all about just doing it, whether it's writing or running.
I'll be a NaNo Cheerleader this year since I'm revising my wip and also trying to finish a quilt in time for Christmas. Good luck with your revision and your current project.
Don: Looks like you've got a few takers for that cannoli, including me. You buying? :D
Southpaw: Yay! We'll all be the best cannoli-eating cheerleaders ever!
Yvonne: Ha! I'd like to see a 50,000 word poem. Maybe if it were an epic, like the Iliad.
Shelley: We're on the same wavelength :) Good luck with your projects!
Jon Paul: Good for you!! I'll be rooting you on, and I will have to check out your songfest!
Alex: I did it in 2009, so it is possible for me too. Not saying it was easy in the least, though!
Tricia: Good luck finishing your story! I hope both of our fairy tales will be done this month :)
Sophia: Messed up from dancing?! That must have been some serious boogeying :) Good luck on your revisions!
Stephanie: Agreed - there's always a hump to get over when it comes to running or writing!
Sophia: Thank you! Good luck with your projects. I'm totally the same way... didn't give NaNo enough thought and suddenly it's here. I'd rather prep, too.
Talli: Haha, I'm starving too... I want some of that cannoli (hint hint DON). Agreed - it's nice to know that it's hard to do NaNo, but possible.
Carrie: Good luck with your WIP and your quilt! Hope you get them done in time for the holidays :)
50k in a month wouldn't be so bad "on top of real life"! That made me laugh. That real life is always getting in the way of writing.
I agree that running is like writing because it takes mental discipline and consistency. The way it differs is I love to write, but have to run.
Good luck with NaNo!
I love the comparison between NaNoWriMo and running a marathon. Tho I still think a marathon is harder because it's more prep work and once it starts, no break at all! At least with NaNo, you can do a double day so you can then take a day off!
I'm not doing NaNo, but I'll also be cheering on everyone who is!
Theresa: Haha, agreed. Making time to write 50K is the hardest part - otherwise, it really wouldn't be that challenging!
Margo: Yes I can definitely see that, but I think both challenges take a lot of heart and stamina. I guess I'm trying to say that NaNoWriMo is the writer's equivalent of a marathon! Not as physical, but equally mental in my view!
Susan: Hurray!! Good luck with your projects :)
Running... writing... two fantastic ways to be in the groove.
Robert: Absolutely! I love the stamina/endurance/mental strength that both activities require.
Julie! You totally should participate in NaNoWriMo! One of my friends, who happens to be an old English teacher of mine is participating. She loves it! Good luck! :)
Thao: That's so cool! Yeah I did it in 2009 but haven't really had time since. Maybe next year :)
The most valuable piece of advice I got when I was just starting out was, "If you write a page a day, by the end of the year you'll have a book."
Write 1,667 words a day and by the end of November you'll have 50,000 words.
If you really want to hurt yourself, try the 3-day Novel Contest.
http://midlistwriter.blogspot.com/2008/03/national-novel-writing-month-and-other.html
Oh, and thanks for the follow!
Sean: That is GREAT advice, and really true. You'd probably have more than just one book if you wrote enough every day! Geez, I dunno about that 3-day novel contest haha.. sounds intense, but thanks for the info!
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