Cat Michaels, Writer
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Keep Pounding: Five Things I Learned About Writing From Football

1/31/2020

8 Comments

 
​Growing up in a family of athletes and coaches, I don’t know how it was possible for me not to love organized sports. But I do not. 

Sunday afternoons as a kid meant enduring hours of sports on TV. Hockey, basketball, baseball, football. It didn’t matter the season. There was always some kind of game being played somewhere.

While I watch infrequently as an adult, I cheer for my home team,  the Carolina Panthers, whenever I tune in. Can't tell you who's playing what or where, but I’m drawn to the Panther’s mantra, a quote from a beloved colleague who battled cancer -- Keep pounding.

Stirred by the Panthers’ quest to be the best, I found five pieces of advice from the world of football to inspire authors to produce their best, too, and keep pounding the keyboard.
Keep Pounding: Five Things I Learned About Writing From Football – catmichaelswriter.com

1. The Road is Bumpy

It’s football season; anything can happen.
― Troy Brown, Former professional American football player

You’re a writer, so anything and everything will happen. Whether you’re searching for an agent, going the Indie route, or fighting tech gremlins that want to eat your manuscript, writing is fraught with literary curves and technology potholes. 

Some of my most creative outputs came from finding work-arounds to problems that blind-sided me.  Keep the pitfalls in stride, and author onward. 

2. Celebrate Small Wins

It’s the journey; not the destination.
― Tony Dungy, former professional American football player and coach
​
Because writing is a long game (see #5), you gotta value every victory. I’ve wanted to quit more times than I care to remember since I started writing full time in 2013.  Writing can be a lonely and discouraging path.

But I was lifted up in 2019.  After six years of authoring, my chapter book, Sweet T and the Turtle Team, won three international awards for best writing in children's literature.  Plus, it was considered by a major Hollywood film studio for adaptation to movies or TV.  

​I’m also jazzed when celebrating others’ successes, especially seeing hard-working creatives soar. There’s something joyful about sharing good news and stepping into that circle of gladness. Your endorphins do the happy dance.

And so, w
e keep plugging along together.

Keep Pounding: Five Things I Learned About Writing From Football – catmichaelswriter.com
​3. Take Care of YOU

It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.
― Lou Holtz, Former college football coach, Inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame

Like football, writing is an all-consuming passion. At first, I worked at it for 10-hour days, seven days a week — a sure formula for disaster. I learned to pace myself, even unplugging for a few days or (gasp!) weeks at a time to refresh my computer and my soul.

Give that elusive chapter or frustrating book formatting a rest. Walk around the block, hug a puppy, or text a friend. And if you find yourself near burnout, allow yourself an off-season: take a few weeks or months away. Find whatever you need to reset, and then get back to the game. Guarantee the task will be there when you’re ready to tackle it.

4. Find People, Projects to Nourish the Soul

Always have four things in life: Something to do. Someone to love. Something to hope for. Something to believe in.
– Lou Holtz, Former American college football coach, Inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame

Connecting with family, friends, neighbors, and community feeds the soul. Plus, you get to be with people instead of staying inside your head, pounding alone at the keyboard. It’s amazing how much more I accomplish after time with friends. 

I’m energized tackling other creative outlets, like photography and garden design. Besides being fun, I love seeing their immediate results instead of waiting forever on writerly matters like publishing a book.
​
More than being productive, research results demonstrate that people with active social connections are healthier and live longer. These connections are especially important if you’re an introvert as many authors are. So, get out there and mingle! 

Keep Pounding: Five Things I Learned About Writing From Football – catmichaelswriter.com

5. It’s a Long Game

Don’t give up at half time. Concentrate on winning the second half.
― Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant, former American college football player and coach

Experts counsel it takes several years and publishing as many books to make it as an author. This fact of writing life drives me crazy.

I am impatient.

I want success n*o*w. Sigh.

​I try to pace myself and enjoy the loonnnng writing ride. Truth be told, there are days I want to scream and tear out my hair. But I turn the crawl into a game and find something to laugh about.

Don’t be upset if you don’t see the results you want, especially as you begin your writing journey.  Expect and accept: the going is slow.  It will keep you in the game!


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8 Comments
Rosie Russell link
1/31/2020 12:53:35 pm

Perfect post in every way, Cat! Coming from a family that loves sports, I agree with everyone of these. These five points apply in life, jobs, and everything we do.

These are all great but I have always loved this one. :)

"Always have four things in life: Something to do. Someone to love. Something to hope for. Something to believe in."
– Lou Holtz, Former American college football coach, Inductee in the College Football Hall of Fame

Thanks so much for sharing this today!

Reply
Cat Michaels
1/31/2020 09:12:57 pm

That quote speaks to me, too, Rosie, on so many levels. Honestly, I was surprised to find many inspirations and similarities between writing and football. I guess athletes try to score running hard with pigskins; writers want to make their touchdowns with words -:D.

Reply
Eiry Rees Thomas link
2/1/2020 11:10:38 am

I also love this post, Cat. It speaks to me!

I admit to a passion for rugby (while following the first of the season's Six Nations' Rugby Championship game and adding unrelated notes to my laptop during breaks).

Not good!

Your advice is spot on and I plead guilty. I feel a late New Year resolution coming on.

Excelling at sports passed me by apart from tapping keys furiously!

I love your quote, Rosie, and this one too: 'It's not a question of how far you run but where you run to' :)

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/1/2020 08:39:08 pm

Eiry, Love your quote about running “to” a place. I’ve not heard it before. imho, Tapping furiously on the keyboard should count as some exercises:-D. Thanks for pounding along with me on this road and being part of the 4 things needed in my life.

Reply
Meegan link
2/3/2020 01:31:42 pm

Thank you for your insights and thoughts. I love football and all the many lessons we can learn from it.

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/3/2020 06:31:49 pm

Meegan, I’m wasn’t expecting to find so much overlap between football and a creative life, and it was a pleasant surprise. I’m also glad to know a football fan like yourself appreciates the wisdom behind the sport.

Reply
Maria link
2/3/2020 08:21:05 pm

Very well written! Never got into football but enjoyed other team sports!

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/3/2020 08:54:29 pm

Thanks, Maria. I admire you for being active in team spots. They’re great for socializing while staying in shape and teaching kids how to work together.

Reply

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  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team >
      • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Meet Cat
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Contact Cat