There is a television show this season called Titans. It is one of those shows that challenges the strength of the participants. Every week those who have trained and passed the auditions show up to try to out-run, out-pull, out-climb, and out-do in every other way their opponents.
The challenge is always different but the method is always the same. The contestant starts off with a burst of energy when the torch signals to start. He or she completes the first segment quickly. But as they progress, each contestant begins to show signs of fatigue. Their muscles bulge, their faces contort, their steps falter, they fall more, and they advance toward their goal slower.
For some reason, I am drawn to these shows. There is something about cheering another person on to victory that is exciting. Even though I am not the athletic type, I love to see others meet their goals.
Last night as the show went off, I realized that writers are a lot like these titans.
We first get an idea to run the race to publication. After that initial idea, we grab another idea to write about. We go into training as we ponder and research the idea.
Then comes the race. We step up to the plate, excited, adrenalin flowing. We know we are going to make it to the top. We work tirelessly to assimilate our information, make outlines, and write our introductions. Then we begin to write. We notice our enthusiasm may have waned just a bit but we know we must get those words on the paper. We start writing, pushing our muscles a little farther.
As we progress to the top, we notice we are having to flex our writer muscles a bit more solidly to keep on track. But we keep working at it.
When we get near the finish, we realize that we are really struggling to stay focused and wrap up the article in a strong and effective. We write one word at a time, deliberately striking each key. We pray that we can make a difference and that our words will change lives.
Finally, we finish, exhausted, arms in the air declaring victory (and stretching our weary muscles in a different direction. Maybe not the same kind of exertion as the titans on television, but all the same exhausted.
Are you a titan? Do you approach your writing with every bit of energy and training you have had? I would say to you exactly what I would say to the titans on the screen, “C’mon. You can do it! Go for the goal.”
Linda Gilden is an award-winning writer, speaker, editor, certified writing and speaking coach, and personality consultant. Her passion is helping others discover the joy of writing. Linda recently released Articles, Articles, Articles! and is the author of over a thousand magazine articles and 18 books including the new LINKED Quick Guides for Personalities. As Director of the Carolina Christian Writers Conference, Linda helps many writers take the next step in reaching their writing goals. Linda love to float in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren—a great source of writing material! www.lindagilden.com
