I’m going to use surfing as an analogy to writing. I don’t surf; I’ve never surfed, but I’m using surfing to drive home a writing point.
Glossary:
Surfer: Writer
Surfing: Writing
Wave: The momentum
Injuries/bruises: Rejections
Beach: Agents
Sand: Writer’s block
I’ve been riding the wave for two of the two and a half years of writing my novel. Every day I hit the ocean, rain or shine, and swim atop my board, waiting for the wave. When the first wave appears, I tense and prepare for the ride. Most of the time I fall off, but I keep riding the wave all day long. I repeat this act every day. Sometimes I sustain injuries, but I return knowing it is all part of the sport. They are wounds of achievement—like a tattoo of perseverance.
I am preparing for The Competition. The Competition will take place at the famous Hawaiian surfing beach called North Shore. I want to compete at North Shore, but there is one problem. If you fall off, you can’t surf there again. If you ride the wave with perfection, the beach will accept you and you are now worthy of that beach.
So for two years I’d practiced for the North Shore until one day. I decide to wait for the wave while sitting on the sand. Silly me, the wave comes but I’m too far away. I know I must take the plunge but the sand is so warm. I notice my wounds have all healed and I’m sad. I stay there a while and drift to sleep. I wake up occasionally and remember the goal: North Shore, but the sand is so warm.
So warm.
Are you where you want to be?
Writing is not my profession so I’m relating this to my business. Am I where I want to be with my business? No. Am I okay for today? Yes. That North Shore looks scary, and I’m really tired and just need a rest. Most of my exhaustion comes from the mental struggle of trying to talk myself off the beach. Maybe I need to change the way I talk to myself, or somehow visualize that wave as being not quite so large. Maybe if I could just ride a little piece of it at a time, it wouldn’t seem so daunting.
Great post Tricia. Love the analogy.
Thank you.
I agree, I’ve begun to see the wave as too big. I liked me better when I wasn’t looking at what I can’t do and focused instead on what I can do.
Maybe I could at least build a sand castle while I just sit.
Following your analogy, is it your choice to stay on the sand? Do you really want to do that? Could that nice warm sand actually be quicksand? Don’t let it swallow you up. Don’t let that wave intimidate you. Keep your eyes on the Shore as you paddle and wait for the wave.
Take one word, one sentence, one paragraph at a time. You’re almost there.
No, it is not my desire to stay in the sand. I want to ride the wave again, but I seem to have forgotten how. The sand is where I wait and wait and wait.
We all get stuck on the sand from time to time. It’s warm and safe there. But eventually you’ll become bored. You’ll see those waves and off you’ll go surfing once again. You’ll forget about the old injuries.
I am where I want to be for the time being. Will that change? Most likely. That’s why we’re here isn’t it? To change and grow and to keeping surfing!!
Laura, part of my angst is I have forgotten my old injuries. They, at least, showed I was working. Rejection slips are like bragging rights, the visible bruises one gets when they are out mastering their sport.
I’m glad you are on the wave right now. The beach has welcomed you and that must be freeing, exhilirating. I am encouraged by your success.
Tricia, it’s fun to have the time to catch up on all your posts. Loved “riding the wave” with you and the letter writing post–I too take eons of time with the letters I write. It’s embarrassing how much time I take. Nice to know I’m not alone.
Thanks Cynthia, that was a pretty gnarley wave. Glad to hear your as letter anal as I am. It’s always refreshing to know you’re in good comapny.
I agree with Linda. Quicksand. How does one get out? By standing very still. Works for me when I have a block. Always self-imposed. Usually due to fear.
Am I where I want to be? It doesn’t really matter, because it is where I am. But, where I am going, that is all in my control 🙂
And, like Laura, it changes all the time.
Maybe what I need is a rope to pull me out. By a lifeguard. A tanned, hunky lifeguard. Maybe the lifeguard is Brenden Frasier. Yes! And I need mouth to mouth … Sorry, “earth to Tricia”.
Obviously I have a wandering mind and perhaps if I could train my mind to think only of my book I could get somewhere.
Maybe you need a change of pace or a less intimidating challenge… instead of facing that huge wave on a surfboard you could just try going for a swim, or maybe do a little waterskiing — i.e., give yourself a temporary break and build back up to the novel writing by working on a shorter piece or two to submit to a magazine?
Yes, Carol. I’ve been working on that last suggestion. I’m looking now to submit a piece with a Sept 30 deadline–I haven’t started yet, but it gets the whip crackin’ anyway.
I’m where I want to be for now. But I’m looking ahead to where I want to be more. 🙂 Soon the beach gets too hot and you’re starting to sweat and the sand is getting in all the wrong places. And you see the cabana (publishers) and you know if you can just make it there and have a nice refreshing drink then everything would be okay. There will be shade and comfort and satisfaction. Only it’s roped off and body guards are keeping the unwanted out. I’m going to try to sneak in the back.
You’re right. The sand is in places uncomfortable to me. It is hot. I see the cabana. I am thirsty. GIVE ME A DRINK! Sorry, lost control. Sneaking in the back is one way. Or we can BREAK IN.
I’d better do something. The seagulls are circling me like vultures.
So where do sharks come into the picture? And sand in your shorts?
Well you can’t fight off sharks if your not in the water. Instead I’m safe on the shore feeling uncomfortable abrasions in my shorts.
TIME TO FACE THE SHARKS! GO WEST AND SEIZE THE DAY!
Too much direct sun can cause delirium.
What a cool analogy. I really enjoyed your post, it’s giving me a lot to think about.
Thanks, Carla. I hope you return for more visits.