Writing is Like Running

As I attempt to build myself up to running 5K for the September Gorilla Run (this being the gal who had notes excusing her from ANY and ALL running in phys ed in school), I’ve noticed that, in a lot of ways, running is similar to writing.

Like running, when you write, you can always use a few tools. However, you don’t have to get the super duper outfit to make you a Writer or a Runner. (Yep, I’m talking posers, here.) The writer who talks about writing, has memberships to all sorts of organizations related to writing, has all the writing books, writing software and more, but rarely spends time putting words to page (because it’s hard work and not as much fun as showing the world that you are a writer) may not necessarily be a ‘real’ writer. In the running world there are the same folks. (That would those folks with the fancy running gear, gps, playlist, t-shirts, talky-talky the talk, but yet, those running shoes are lucky if they make it around the block once every two weeks.)

As with writing, you can start running without knowing what you’re doing. You just slam one foot in front of the other until you begin to figure it out. Of course, it is always nice to know a little bit about what you’re attempting to help you achieve your goals. To grab an example from running, if you pop off the couch one day and try to run 5 km, the chances are you aren’t going to reach your goal. Or, if you do, you are likely to find yourself in a great deal of pain and unable to make that same attempt any time soon. You could also hurt yourself. Wah! In writing, if you plop in front of your computer or notepad and slam word after word down on the page without a clue, chances are you are going to be in for a world of hurt when you go back to edit that puppy into a story that actually works. If you have a training plan/picked up a few tips and skills, it helps no matter if we are talking writing or running. It pays to get a little bit of knowledge under your belt when you are starting out. I’m not saying deluge yourself in it–that can have the opposite effect as helpful–just find a few things to help you improve at the level you are currently hovering at.

When writing, if you slam down word after word with no clue, your story can easily end up in the woods. (Or recycle bin.) When writing, if you slam down foot after foot with no clue, you can easily end up in the woods eighty miles from home. (Or hospital.) In both worlds, there is something to be said for a little bit of planning.

Like running, there is a high. That wonderful feeling you get when you’re in the zone and the sentences flow like fresh honey out of the extractor and the word count blows your mind and you can’t help but smile and think how you could do this forever.

Like running, there are days when everything hurts. Every word comes at a cost and all you want to do is stop, stop, stop. Every word feels wrong. You wonder why the hell you even bother. You suck. This sucks. Why did you bother getting out of bed? Isn’t this supposed to be fun or something?

So, why do we run? And why do we write? It’s for those days. Those days golden days. Those days when you feel like you have accomplished something you can be proud of. Those days when everything flows and the whole universe feels like it is in line with you and all you have to do is aim straight ahead and let yourself soar, empowered. Everything is smooth and beautiful. Everything is groovy. You feel more alive and real than ever and everything is simply wonderful.

That is why.

That is why I write. And one day, that will be why I run. (…but not quite yet.)

Personal Frame of Reference

The other day I was looking at WIRED recent magazine’s cover. Smart Jobs. That was the big feature. Sure, that’s simple enough to understand, right?

But at the same time… using one’s personal frame of reference….

It can mean so many different things. If you’re British or just read a romping British novel you might think of “smart” as brilliant, sharp, or generally snappin’. If you are a young grad or someone who’s recently lost their job, you might think of a “smart” job as something that will pay well and has job security or an opportunity for advancement. If you are involved in technology, you might think of “smart” as something along the lines of smart phones and the technology that goes with it.

This guy’s frame of reference and take on the race is going to be different than the guy selling drinks in the stands or the guy who just bet ten grand on the jockey’s horse.

So, which “smart” is it? To be truthful, I haven’t come across the article yet. (I’ve read some interesting other things though.) But it reminds us that when we are creating characters, we should keep our character’s personal frame of reference in mind because depending upon who they are and their history, they’re going to react to a situation in a very unique and personal way.

When Books Inspire

Let’s start with a little backstory…

Ages ago Oprah was giving away the ebook version of Suze Orman’s book, Women and Money, on her website. I didn’t have an ereader back then (they had yet to be invented–or at least become available/known to plebs like me), but any time any book was available for free, I downloaded it. Because, hey, it’s a free book. (And yes, that is a little odd seeing as I hated reading big files on my computer and thus, never did. But I downloaded it. It’s one of the many, slightly odd, book-hording type things I’ve done in my increasingly seeming could-it-be-shady? not-so-long-ago past.)

So…

The other night I was looking for something to read on my ereader and this was THE LAST UNREAD BOOK in my special little horde of pdf files. (Yep, I even read career planning worksheets and editing tips.) And so I started reading. Strangely enough, despite Women and Money being a distinctly ‘financial’ book, it’s surprisingly readable and enjoyable! (Sorry, Suze. You know, women, money, women reading about money… Money books aren’t usually the first thing we seek out (especially at 3AM when we’re bleary-eyed and breastfeeding the wee one). But actually, she does know. Which is exactly why she wrote the book. Well, not exactly-exactly. But you know what I am getting at.)

Anyway, I started reading and a lot of the pep talk stuff doesn’t particularly apply (although pep talks are always welcome) to me since I’ve always been somewhat involved with my money–you know the type–reads RESPs for Dummies before going and setting one up at the local bank (after shopping around) for her kid–and who used to throw her entire first ‘real’ paycheck on her and her hubby’s student loans. And, yes, I check every bill before I pay it. I’m that gal. And because of that, our assets outweigh our debts. (Yippee!)

But then good ol’ Suze started talking about our relationship with money and why we don’t take charge. It snapped me to attention. In the past few years, I’ve let my money ‘prowess’ slip. I’ve stopped caring quite as much, and lost some of my motivation. Maybe because the student loans are paid off and we owe less than half our home’s value?? Or maybe because I’m busy and money stuff can be boring and you have to talk to annoying people who sometimes know less than you do, or else think they know ‘best’ and are insistent and awful when you insist right back that you want it done your way because it’s-your-bloody-money-and-no-they-can’t-have-more-of-it-thank-you-very-much. (Yeah, it’s probably that last one.)

So. I snapped to. I marched into the bank and closed an account that I’d been meaning to close for months. (Even that annoying $6.95 a month charge for them doing nothing had yet to spur me into going in and facing them and saying, “I want out!”) Maybe I was dragging my heels because of a bad experience closing an account with another bank (same reason)–I hate arguing and fighting for my rights as a consumer. If I am leaving your bank it’s too damn late to make good!

But that’s not all I did. Because, dammit it, their ‘sounds good ethical’ RRSP actually blows chunks. I’ve wasted 7 years on that bloody crap RRSP and haven’t felt good about it for years. I don’t have forever to earn some bucks on that baby. I’m out. I’m done. I’m going to change that to another bank too! What good is my money if it isn’t working for me, right?

And while I’m at it, I’m going to put another lump sum on our mortgage. And I’m going to transfer more into the kids’ RESPs. And while I’m at it, I might even roll my coins. (Whoa! Let’s not crazy now.)

Banking Prowess. You betcha, honey. Rrrrrrrowll! Feels good.

Thanks, Suze! Someday, I hope my written words inspire someone to make great changes in their life.

Have you read something that’s inspired you to take action (big or small) lately?

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