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Wednesday 4 September 2013

Why running is like writing - an IWSG post

This post is part of the Insecure Writers Support Group. A great place for sharing all those insecurities we writers have, and for offering advice and support for our fellows. To join in head over to Alex J Cavanaugh's blog, you can check out what other people are posting about and sign up yourself too. Enjoy!

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Before I get to my post for today, I need to tell you that this installment is part of the 2 year anniversary of IWSG! It has been two wonderful years since the Ninja Captain gave this group to the world, and to celebrate he has a special announcement.

Make sure you head on over to check it out - once you've read my post of course!

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Yesterday I went running for the first time in a year. I was a bit nervous about going, seeing as it had been so long, and although I've done other kinds of exercise in the last year I was concerned whether I'd make it all the way round our route in one go.

Two of us went, and both had concerns about our stamina and had suggested stopping for a few minutes at the half way point. When we got there though we both kept going, worrying that if we stopped we wouldn't be able to start again. I knew if he'd stopped I would have too, and vice versa, but we both kept going and managed to get round in one.

We'd spurred each other on and kept the momentum going until we finished, and both felt good that we'd achieved something like that after so long a break.

I find that writing is like this. It's easy to put it off every now and again, but when that couple of days starts to stretch into weeks of inactivity I find it hard to pick it up again. 
My running buddy is also a writing buddy, and we have been working on a writing project for about two years. We've both had breaks from it now and again, but we alternate with the enthusiasm.

When I feel despondent about it he is usually in the middle of something exciting, and when he's talking to me about his ideas and works it gives me that push to get on with something too. And it works both ways.

We each give the other the boost to keep going, even when we feel like we can't, just as we do when we go running.

I know writing can be a very solitary activity, but it certainly pays to have some encouragement and someone to talk through ideas and problems with. I have that both in person and in the bloggy community with all you lovely guys, and I wouldn't give any of you up for anything.

Thanks you guys for all your help, both in the past and I'm sure in the future.

Have you got your writing buddies that keep you going through thick and thin? 

Have you checked out Alex's big announcement?

Happy IWSG Day!

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22 comments:

  1. The peeps keep me going for sure! Sometimes I forget who I am and need to be reminded.

    Happy IWSG birthday!

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    1. It's definitely good to have someone to share the pain and the joys of this activity.

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  2. I LOVE this..."I know writing can be a very solitary activity, but it certainly pays to have some encouragement and someone to talk through ideas and problems with." ... you are right on!
    I have three amazing crit partners, and I wouldn't know what I'd do without them. Friends outside and inside the blogging world are so helpful, too! Great post!

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    1. Thanks Jackie. I love the support of the everyone in the blogosphere, and special thanks for the IWSG too!

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  3. It's great to have someone like that who can give you that push/boost when it's needed. That's one of the reasons why I like the IWSG so very much.

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    1. It's great to have so many on hand to help out, particularly if you don't have it in person when you need it.

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  4. I've only just signed onto ISWG, so I'm picking out blogs at random from the list to check out and bookmark. Yours came up, and so I'm here.

    What's interesting to me is the various ways people approach both the task of writing and the task of writing about the task of writing. (Whew! Now I'm dizzy!) I like your approach: writing is like running, and momentum is important. As a mostly-former runner (I want to get back to running but for a variety of bee-related reasons I probably never will, long story but a funny one except for almost dying a lot of times, which I guess could be funny because I DIDN'T [die, that is]) where was I?

    As a mostly-former runner, I know what you mean about momentum, including the part about if you quit you might not start running again. I can see where that relates to writing, easily. Some days, I approach the computer with almost a blank mind, not sure what I might write about that day, but as soon as I start typing, it's like the momentum takes over and I'm writing. That is almost exactly what used to happen to me with running: I'd get all warmed up and get my iPod and even then I'd be thinking "So I'm really doing this?" and then I'd take that first step or two and my body would just start running, and after that I never wanted to slow down or stop at lights because I was afraid I'd break the spell.

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    1. The hardest thing to do with most things is to get started, to make the first steps towards getting it done.
      Once I get going with something I can get into the rhythm and it's a satisfying feeling, I just need to kick myself into gear to get going in the first place!

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Heather, this is beautiful and so sweet. Having your friend to give you that boost is wonderful and the blogging community truly rocks! Loved your post ;)

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    1. Thanks SK. I love that I have so many options for support when I need it.

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  6. I love the writing community, and especially the IWSG. Everyone's so great at encouraging others and helping people out.

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    1. I agree, and it makes me so glad I took the plunge to get going with my blog. I certainly don't regret it!

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  7. We all need some encouragement from time to time. The group of people I have meet in this writing community never fail to amaze with their support. Glad you have an excellent running and writing buddy!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. I hope my posts give as much encouragement as I get from all of you.

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  8. That is awesome you have someone to lift you when you are down. Enthusiasm is contagious.

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    1. It certainly is, and I'm glad for it.

      Thank you so much for hosting the IWSG for the last two years, it has certainly helped me a lot as I travel on this writing journey. Long may it continue!!! (The IWSG and my writing journey that is ;-))

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  9. Having someone to discuss your writing with really is such a gift. I lean on my critique group tremendously. While we can't run together - it's a virtual group - but the benefit of being each others' sounding boards remains the same. Great IWSG post!

    Kim Lajevardi
    (This Writer's Growing)

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    1. Thanks Kim, I'm glad you could stop by. My hope is that I give as much encouragement as I take.

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  10. This is so true--one you stop, it's hard to get going again. Glad you have someone to help urge you on! :)

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    1. Thanks Lara. The incentive is definitely there to not stop writing! Or running!

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  11. I know the feeling. I've not written much in a long while, and like when I run, it takes great willpower to get back into it. I need to find a method that allows me to put pen to paper with ease ...

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    1. This is something I struggle with a lot, but as they always say, practice, practice, practice. You'll get there again I'm sure.

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