I can see the finish line

I’ve learned that writing is like running a marathon.

You’ve got to train and practice constantly, because if you don’t, the race will win out over you.

Unlike 5k and 10K races, a marathon isn’t just about the finish, it’s more about the journey than anything, and the months you spent in preparation, and then the hours you toil on the actual race itself. You have highs and lows. Times when you’re on such a runner’s high that you feel like you could run to the top of Everest and back, and lows so low, that all you want to do is stop running all together and sit on the side of the road and wait for the bus to pick you up.

But you don’t quit. You finish, and you finish strong, and the feeling of accomplishment when you cross that finish line and they hang that finisher’s medal around your neck is amazing and completely worth it.

To me, writing is like that.

It’s not a sprint, but a marathon.

There are highs and lows. Times when the muse is constantly with you and the plot bunnies won’t leave you alone. Other times when you can’t even bear to look at your manuscript.

Just like I learned in my first marathon, sometimes it’s okay to walk. Just be sure to finish running.

Well, my friends, I can see the finish line. It’s many miles off yet, but I’m excited and motivated to get there, and don’t plan on walking any more until my first draft is done!

Okay, enough existential rambling for now. 😉