I'm delaying the WRiTE CLUBquarter-final round for a couple of days because I have something I need to say as a result of the ORIGINSblogfest last week.
I’m into sports. I’ve played them and coached them at a very high level, but now I’m just an avid fan (mostly college). Something continually stressed when learning a sport is a concept of visualization. Whatever it is you’re trying to master…laying down a bunt, perfecting your soccer dribble, or mastering a two-handed backhand… you have to visualize doing it first. In your mind’s eye, if you can see yourself performing the activity, then you should be able to do it for real. Pretty simple stuff, right?
Back when I was coaching and I brought up this concept to my kids, I always linked it to the movie CADDYSHACK. Remember the part of the movie where Chevy Chase is tutoring the young caddy on how to drive the golf ball a long way and he tells him to, “be the ball”? Yeah, it’s funny and the kids can relate to it, but I use that to make a point. When it comes to imagining doing something…and doing it flawlessly…you have to be focused and 100 % willing to give it your all. Every single detail matters!
When it comes to our writing, the same concept applies. How many of you have taken a picture like the one above? Come on, don’t be shy. Raise those hands up. Yes, it’s a picture taken at my local Barnes & Noble of the space on the shelf (in the mystery section) where my book will someday reside. If you haven’t taken that picture yet, do it this weekend! Be the ball!
This is a picture of my feet, and more specifically the shoes on my feet. They were a Christmas gift given to me by my wife, a very special gift. Those of you who have read my book know their significance, but for the rest of you just know that they play a profound part in my book FALLEN KNIGHT. I can now wear a personification of my dream. Be the ball!
This is a book cover mock-up a friend did for me. I’m not sure it’ll work because it gives off too much of a YA feel and it’s really an adult mystery/thriller, but you get the idea. Looking at this makes me feel like one day a real version will exist. Be the ball!
Heeding a recent commenter's suggestion, I've removed the word aspiring from the description of myself on my blog. I've also committed to establishing a specialized author page on Facebook and I'm going to have someone (winking at Tiana) help me turn my blog into an actual web page. Be the ball!
I read 215+ ORIGIN’s last week, and something I picked up on is that although most everyone could remember where they started, very few had a good handle on where they were going. My advice to any of you who see yourself in that boat…visualize the destination! I don’t mean daydream about what it would be like to have published a book…I mean see it specifically. Take that book shelf picture and make it your background on your monitor and/or smart phone. Find a picture of an author at a book signing and super-impose your face over theirs. Whatever it takes. See it…then be it!
Be the ball!
What are you doing to visualize your goal?
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