Comments on: Lessons from Olympians

By: T. S. Bazelli

T. S. Bazelli — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 04:02:56 +0000

I'm always impressed by the work ethic, and ability to push their limits ;)

By: Jay Noel

Jay Noel — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 15:26:32 +0000

As an ex-athlete, it does amaze me how much work goes into aspiring for perfection. I pretty much take that same attitude with everything that I do. The work ethic. The desire. You're right, there's a lot to learn from the Olympians.

By: T. S. Bazelli

T. S. Bazelli — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 20:03:11 +0000

Thanks for visiting Shari! Oh, I'm with you on the editing. It's necessary but not fun. The end result is so worth it though :)

By: Shari

Shari — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:59:58 +0000

Hi!

Popping on over from Kristan's blog -- I loved the excerpt of yours that she included and wanted to read the entire post! I agree whole-heartedly with everything you said, especially #1 and #4. As I edit down my MS by 50,000 words (ugh), I am definitely reminded that it's not always an enjoyable process. But, like you said, it IS always one filled with heart, and that makes it beautiful. :)

By: T. S. Bazelli

T. S. Bazelli — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 18:06:38 +0000

Definitely don't have to be. I think its an honor just to be able to compete, and try for it, whether or not you end up succeeding in the way you want. :)

By: Stephen A. Watkins

Stephen A. Watkins — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:50:10 +0000

Hope everything goes well.

I must admit, I don't usually feel like an Olympian when I write... There so many of us aspiring authors that often I feel utterly pedestrian... You know, to extend the metaphor: lots of people swim or play badminton or volleyball and whatnot. Very few make it to the games. Fewer still win Medals.

So, too, us writers. Lots of us write. Very few get published in any meaningful way. Fewer still win critical acclaim or become best-sellers.

That's a downer, I guess. The upper? You don't need to be an Olympian to love what you do and to keep doing it. We all strive to be at Olympian levels in the things we love, but loving it is enough to keep on even when we fall far short of our Olympian dreams.

Anyway, it was an inspirational post.

By: T. S. Bazelli

T. S. Bazelli — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:41:44 +0000

Oh yes, that is a good corollary. I always mess up on stage when I'm out of the zone. It takes perfect concentration to perform, and you just have to remember that you know what you're doing. Though, sometimes you end up realizing you don't really know what you're doing, but that's a different problem lol.

By: T. S. Bazelli

T. S. Bazelli — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:39:44 +0000

I have no idea! Though I'm sure they have to jump through censorship hoops (and then edit and edit).

And thanks ;)

By: Anthony Lee Collins

Anthony Lee Collins — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 11:40:32 +0000

Trust your training -- that's very true (they're all true, but that's the one that struck me particularly). My ex-wife was a drummer, and she applied discipline to learning drums that she'd learned from riding (hunters and jumpers). She practiced a lot -- she was very disciplined (particularly for a drummer :-) and always conscious of what she was doing well and what needed more work. On stage, though, you can't be thinking about that stuff. You have to go with the flow and perform. When I'm "in the zone" and writing, it's very much the same. Except that my clothes don't reek of cigarettes and beer the next morning. :-) Good luck with the surgery. Hurry back.

By: John Wiswell

John Wiswell — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 06:29:50 +0000

Do you think China has squads of coaches and experts surrounding all their budding authors, forcing them to constantly draft and edit, draft and edit?

Take care of yourself, Theresa! Relieved it's only a minor surgery.

By: T. S. Bazelli

T. S. Bazelli — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 05:46:42 +0000

Oh yeah, sometimes its physical. I really hope there's not as much physical comfort going forward for you or anyone else. Really need to watch that :( I'm making an effort too but I still ache sometimes.

Thanks!

By: Kristan

Kristan — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:45:08 +0000

Love love LOVE this post, #2 and #4 especially.

Also, it's not just mental fatigue that affects us writers (re: #1). My back and wrists kill me sometimes, despite a number of things I've done to be more ergonomic. :/

Good luck with your surgery!