A couple of weeks ago the boys and I were in New York City to watch hubby run the New York City marathon. It’s been almost twelve years since he last ran a marathon(!) and, to be honest, we just wanted him to finish without injury, incident, or trauma…Thankfully, he finished well and was even able to board a flight to India the next day(!)
Naturally, the whole marathon thing (coupled with November being NaNoWriMo month) made me think of the similarities between writing a novel and running a marathon. When people ask me for advice, I usually say writing and getting published is like a war of attrition where the last one still seated and writing usually wins, but running a marathon is a more apt metaphor (and one closer to my heart, having seen my husband train for five of them!)
Like a marathon, writing a book requires training. Just as my husband had to build up the miles, so too do writers. There are very few of us who can sit down for the very first time and pump out a novel or two – the majority of us have had to spend a number of years honing our skills, enduring false starts, half-written attempts, lousy drafts as well as set-backs. The key, just as in marathon training, is to keep going.
In order to avoid injury, part of any marathon training should involve something other than just running (cross-training, weight training, Pilates, yoga etc.). Similarly, writers need to read widely as well as write. Depending on the type of fiction you want to write, you should explore different writers in your genre, learn the implicit ‘rules’ that function within that genre and then also read outside that genre to become a more ‘well-rounded’ writer.
Just like in a marathon, a key aspect to writing a novel is pacing. You have to keep churning through the miles, but still understand how your writing process works so you keep a steady pace, don’t burnout, and have the strength to finish. As with any long race (and let’s face it that’s what completing a novel can feel like!), it also always helps to have someone cheering you on, especially when you hit the wall at mile 21… All too often I meet people who claim to want to write a novel but fail to understand the sheer stamina required to complete and revise (and revise again) a novel until it’s the very best it can be.
And finally, just as with any marathon, all your skills need constant refinement. While in running you usually focus on issues of technique, breathing and pacing – in writing the focus is more on honing skills (characterization, plotting, dialogue etc.) as well as editing and revision. When aiming to complete a novel that is publication worthy, there’s no place for sloppy skills. I usually find those final miles of revision feel just as long (if not longer) as the ‘completing-the-first-draft’ marathon (perhaps I should tell my husband that writing a novel is worth running at least two marathons…!)
So what do you think? If you were to describe writing a novel as an endurance sport, what would it be?
The equivalent of an ultra-marathon at least. 😎
Although if I ever get the urge to run a marathon, I hope I will train with more consistency than I do sometimes with writing books.
As the proud mother of an Ironman daughter who also coaches other endurance athletes, I follow her training tips on social media, and many of them can apply to writing. Just substitue ‘write’ for ‘workout’. And given she’s a triathlete, she’s training in three events. As a writer, we can switch from one “event” to another and it still counts toward the finished project.
So true – I use research, outlining as well as writing in my ‘workouts’:)
Thanks for the wise words, Clare. I especially like: “writing and getting published is like a war of attrition where the last one still seated and writing usually wins.” So true.
While not an endurance sport, pregnancy/giving birth seems an apt comparison to writing a novel…especially if you’re an elephant, with gestation of 22 months 🙂
Hah! Having given birth to twins I am familiar with the elephant comparison!
I did that, too!
I was going to suggest labor also. I remember thinking in the middle of pushing my 11lb daughter out, crap, you’re in this now and there’s no going back. Focus and determination to see my baby girl safely into this world.
I find this to be like climbing a mountain. Writing, publishing, author platform, marketing and selling, building readership. They all feel like competing hikes to the summit. Especially since authors today have to climb all these different trails pretty much on our own. When the writing is done, that’s only half of the journey. Am I out of breath? Yep. I have to take lots of breaks for breathing time on a ledge and long gulps of water to refresh.
That’s true – hadn’t thought of it in that way but there are so many trails to traverse when getting a book written, published and marketed. Makes me exhausted just thinking about it all!
Congrats to your hubby, Clare. That’s an amazing accomplishment. I am to distance running as Frankenstein’s monster is to fire, so I am in awe.
Your marathon metaphor is apt. I’d also say there are days when you write in a series of sprints. And many days you have to jump over hurdles. (I’m winded now, going to get another cup of joe).
Maybe I should have also mentioned tough mudder as it certainly feels like that sometimes!
Having done ten marathons and many other races, it’s a very appropriate metaphor. Usually, about two hours into any long race, part of my brain is relentlessly repeating: “I don’t want to do this anymore.” If you listen to that voice, you never finish, never accomplish anything.
Same with writing.
Congratulations! Ten marathons is an amazing achievement. I know hubby hears that voice around mile 20-21 and he says it’s all a matter of willpower to get through that wall and run to the finish. Definitely the same with writing!
Mud wrestling.
Ask me tomorrow…I might be more positive. 🙂
Has there ever been anyone who sat down and penned a couple of books without leaning the craft? And was published? Just wondering…and like JSB, a marathon has never entered my mind, but from all I’ve heard (and congrats to your husband!), training for one is a great comparison to writing.