Today is the 113th Boston Marathon.
(photo is the earliest known photo of the Boston Marathon, 1904)
Running a marathon is a lot about not giving up, putting one foot in front of the other, listening to what you're telling yourself, keeping going, keeping going long after you think your body is out of gas ("the wall"), keeping going even when your quads are screaming at you to walk, and your brain is bargaining with you (those people over there are walking why can't you?, no one is making you do this race, just walk for goodness sake and be done with it). It's about holding your focus, taking the next step and finishing the race.
Writing is like that too. It too is a lot about not giving up, putting down the next paragraph (or sentence, or word), listening to what you're telling yourself, keeping going, keeping going long after you think you're out of ideas, keeping going even when the committee in your head is screaming at you to stop, telling you it's not good or funny or interesting or anything and would you just put down your pen already. It's about holding your focus, writing the next thing and finishing the race.
The best races are the ones you thought you could never finish. And the best ideas often take the longest to discover.
(At least that's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
Perhaps Bill Bowerman (1911-1999), legendary track and field coach and Nike Co-Founder, said it best:—
“Sometimes what matters is not what dog is in the fight but how much fight is in the dog.”
Kelly's got her Brainradio. I desperately need one.
I've tried writing to music before, but never found my groove. I'm not sure music with words will do it for me. But I love running to music, so here's my secret playlist.
I'm putting it out here in exchange for your suggestions as to a writing playlist. I need song, artist, and what aspect or genre of writing work it's good for---warming up, plowing on through, delicate word manipulation, blasting out a draft, cleaning up rough edges, etc.
Come on, tell me. Make something up if you have to.
A sampling of Sara's run playlist* Lyle Lovett: She's Hot to Go "You don't have to care who sees your hair..." (gets me out the door. Plus the bit about "she's UGLY" makes me laugh every time.)
Steppenwolf: Magic Carpet Ride (convinces me running might be fun if I just get in the zone.)
Elton John: The B**** is Back. "I can b*****. I can b***** 'cause I'm better than you." (Gets me up hills.)
Tracy Chapman: Talking About a Revolution "Don't ya know ya better run, run, run, run..." (Cruising)
Usher: Yeah! (So I can distract myself by rocking the dance floor in my head.)
Stevie Wonder: You are the Sunshine of My Life. (Downhill. I don't care if you see me smiling like an idiot. I'm happeee!)
Nickel Creek: The Fox (Mr. Fox saying
"a couple of you are gonna grease my chin" makes me pick up the pace. Am I the fox or the chickens?)
CCR: Bad Moon Rising "I know the end is coming soon. I feel rivers overflowing. I hear the voice of rage and ruin." (Hills again. But really, any time you need to whup something.)
Aretha Franklin: Freeway of Love "How'd ya get ya pants so tight?" (Ha!)
"I kinda think we're going for an extended throwdown...let's cruise on into to Better-Than-Ever Street." "Drop the pedal and GO, come on, now...GO!" If you won't run for Aretha, you won't run for nobody.
And if I'm wiped out and still have 8:29 to go, I recommend
Meatloaf. You know the one.
Thanks to Buzz, Balls & Hype for its post on
music to surf to, with specifics for the exact day and type of waves. My favorite of his suggestions?
Once in a Lifetime, Talking Heads (recommended for much bigger surf as in the line:
‘and you may say to your self; my god! What have I done?’)So, let's hear it...real or imaginary...what songs could
you write to? Bonus points if you make your Writer Brainradio into an iTunes mix and post it.
In her latest Masters of Time book, Joyce introduces Allie Monroe, a young woman of 25 who can heal just about anything. But dark forces want to use her powers for evil and it is up to Royce to stop them. What they didn’t plan on was falling in love. In a tragic accident, Royce is killed and so Allie begs Aidan (another warrior) to take her back to 1430. Royce is none too pleased to see her and Allie will have to use all her wiles to show him she really does love him while staying away from the evil that stalks her. An intriguing look at time travel, this is a new look at historical, fantasy romance.
(photo is the earliest known photo of the Boston Marathon, 1904)
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Cooo. Thanks.