For my birthday, my husband gave me membership in a new gym that had opened up and a month's worth of personal training. I was intrigued. I was also terrified.
Hey, I'm female so my first worry was what to wear. I went to Academy and purchased a new pair of sneakers and some workout pants and shirts, but still no sports bra. Not sure why that didn't even occur to me.
I showed up at the gym, which felt like a foreign country with all the scary equipment, and reported for my first personal training session. It was eye opening. And I realized then that I needed a sports bra. Hah!
I ended up getting in shape, losing weight, and when I hit that big age milestone, I was good. Now I work out at home (and yes, I did slack for a number of years before picking it back up in 2017.)
Writing can be the same way. You want to write a book. You have a good idea for a plot, you have characters even. But you're not sure how to begin. Some folks just go to it, figuring they'll learn as they go. Others read up on the craft, attend workshops, join critique groups. Many do both. And along the way, they write.
I began writing because I was a voracious reader. I read everything I could get my hands on, and I read fast. This was in the days before there were e-readers, so I had TONS of paperbacks and hardcovers sitting around. I estimate I've easily given away three thousand books over the years and I still have a large collection at home. Not including what's on my Kindle, which is where I do most of my reading these days.
I know many of you reading this blog are readers. Some are writers. And maybe there might be a few who are wanting to become writers, but just don't know where to start. This is for you.
Don't let fear hold you back. Even published authors experience fear when beginning a new project or trying to write something out of their comfort zone. Believe me, I speak from experience. Get out there, find other writers, whether on-line or in person. Learn. Read. But most of all write. Like just about every other single author out there, I have five completed, unpublished manuscripts that I wrote while I was learning. Just like me learning to do push-ups or burpees, you can't nail it until you practice. So practice. Get those words on paper. WRITE!
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A great post, Karen.
ReplyDeleteI'd be terrified in a gym too. Congrats on going for it all and the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteGood for you getting to the gym and getting in shape. As for writing, I started later in life and am just now at the beginning of what I hope will be a great career.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletecrossnstitch2 at aol dot com
Lovely post, Karen! I gave up gym's years ago, instead I practice yoga and walk a lot. But we all must to do something to stay healthy. Finding what works for you, is key.
ReplyDeleteI am you ten years ago!!! I don't like going to the gym, I feel like I'm being judged by all those 6-pack guys and girls.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was trying to lose weight 3 years ago I was unemployed and with a wedding to go. I didn't want to show up with a huge belly, so I started doing HIIT at home (all from YouTube videos). It worked!
Then I found a job and stopped working out. Ugh, I should start doing anything, my lifestyle isn't healthy.
And burpees KILL ME, but they're excellent to lose fat belly. i used to do at least 50 burpees every other day. 10 burpees --> any other exercise --> 10 burpees --> any other exercise...
ReplyDeleteI just can't exercise at home. I'm always finding something else to do. I go to water aerobics and ride the bike and use the machines in the gym. I used to love Zumba but had to get my knee replaced so no more Zumba! I need that group or instructor watching over me. Now your post has made me start thinking about how the same ideas would apply to my writing habits!
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a big proponent of exercise. I have to do it first thing in the morning. I belong to two gyms (one just for its indoor track). Like Bonnie, I love to walk more than anything, but the weather is not always accommodating. Since hubby retired, we travel a lot, and walking is something we can do everywhere. We were in Nevada last week, and walked about 14,000 steps each day. That helped me justify eating out--something I don't allow myself to do at home.
ReplyDeleteI would love to try a gym. Maybe I shall
ReplyDeleteInspiring post, Karen. I prefer walking, but I also do a yoga workout and started back lifting weights this year. That's drudgery until you do it enough to start liking it.
ReplyDeleteI love this post! I've never been that interested in going to the gym, but I do like to go walking and have done yoga off and on for years.
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