We recently had the Los Angeles Marathon, and two of my family members (spoiler: not me) ran it! It’s been said that writing is like a marathon, but is it really? The quote is often attributed to Robert McKee, and as I combed through running pics, I reflected on this analogy. Here’s my takeaway:
SIMILARITIES
Mileage
26.2 miles. Friends, this is long. Runners trekked from Dodger Stadium to Century City (see map below). Writing a novel is long; 70K-100K words is no joke. It takes perseverance and fortitude.
Iconic sights
The race journey passed by different areas, each with a special delight. Examples: Chinatown offered lion dancing, and Hollywood had an Oscar statue. And they got to run past Olvera Street, Echo Lake Park, Rodeo Drive. Not that any of my family stopped to take selfies… I think in a story, there’s a sense of discovery that also unfolds as we write. Writing often takes us across new and exciting avenues. Hurrah!
Turnarounds
The L.A. Marathon used to go out to the beach, to Santa Monica. Now, it has a turnaround. Like, marathoners literally run past the finish line and have to circle back. (Those doing the half marathon can claim victory earlier.) I feel like editing also reroutes us. This happens whether you’re a plotter or a pantser—and those edits make a difference in polishing up stories.
CONTRASTS
Spectators
In a marathon, there’s a crowd cheering you on. Maybe it’s the spectators with their signs and cowbells. Or the people handing out snacks and food, like the chili dog folks at mile four. Some supporters even made invincibility star boxes (a la Mario Kart) to tap for extra encouragement. Writers? We get silence. There’s only the internal cheerleader—and supportive writer friends (thanks, Chicks!).
Recognition
L.A. marathoners get a HUGE medal at the end of their race. Sadly, writers do not. In fact, the work might not even be picked up and published. (Thankfully, there are more publishing options than ever now.)
Outfits
Runners mostly wore athletic gear, but a few were decked out in costumes. Some had onesies, while others opted for tutus. Meanwhile, writers…hmm, do PJs count as fun attire?
FINAL THOUGHTS
Inspiration
In my humble opinion, the best part about running and writing is the chance to inspire others!
Finish Line
Finally, reaching the finish line is sweet success!!
What “marathon” moments have you had in your life?
Great comparison ! I’d also include the painful parts, which you just have to slog through, whether you’re running a marathon or writing a book.
Oh yes, the slog! I’ve been told that beyond the physical, the marathon’s end requires so much mental push.
In Boston, we (okay, not me!) have Heartbreak Hill.
LOL! There’s a jogging path near my house. My husband and I (Okay, I. LOL!) have named parts of it. I named on section–a slow but determined incline–Cardiac Ridge. Ha!
Hee, hee! Great name!
Yikes! What a name!
love the analogy. And you do have people cheering you on as you write your stories. Yay You!
Thanks, Dru! Appreciate all your support!
P.S. My dtr held a sign that read “I’m exercising vicariously through you.” I wonder how many readers think the same way, whether it’s writing/solving murders/baking vicariously…
that’s hilarious!
I should mine her humor for my books!
ROFL!!! That sign is ***everything***!!! Ha!
It’s a keeper!
And yay, YOU, dear Dru Ann!! xoxo
This is so weird but I was just thinking *yesterday* about how two of my best friends like to run marathons, whereas I … do not. But I also started thinking about the discipline it takes to do that and how it was kind of like writing a book. I love this analogy. Can we have people cheer, hold up signs, and hand us water along the way?
Yes, please! I want to have all the cheerers! Bonus if they give me yummy snacks or electrolyte boosts of energy.
Many of my college friends were on the cross country team. I cheered and minded coats and knapsacks.
That’s an important job, Lisa!
Great comparison. It is definitely a marathon, with a course that changes. You finish your writing marathon, then start your promotion marathon right after you cross the writing finish line. I agree with Marla, we need people cheering, holding up signs, and handing us water, or huge cups of coffee!
Haha! I find that promotion marathons feel so loooonng.
100%! Longer than the writing.
Right? BTW, I’m seeing your promotions and events everywhere. Woohoo!
Thank you! That’s good to hear! I’m certainly trying.
And authors give out the ribbons in promo marathons–they don’t get them, ha!
Exactly! 🙂
Yep!
love this, Jen! (I wonder why they don’t go to the ocean anymore? It’s so L.A.) The analogies are spot on.
In terms of other comparison, I think finding an agent and getting published is (are?) also a marathon. Especially during the parts where you want to give up but keep going. The medal at the end is a contract or if you decide to self-pub, your finished product!
Well, I think the reason was $$$.
Gah, yes about agents and getting published. Hurrah for contract/finished book medals!
I did a half marathon 13 years ago. That was more than enough for this runner. For one thing, the training time takes away from running!
Nice compare and contrasts. I would only add that praise from readers, though very delayed, could be like people cheering you on at the end of a marathon? Maybe?
Yes, indeed, Mark! And for those of us working on subsequent books after one is published, praise from readers about the earlier work always spurs us on to keep writing!
Very true!
Augh! Training time takes away from READING!!!!
Ha! I was thinking: Well, maybe training does take away from running somehow? Like, you lose the joy of the run? I know my runners said race day was very different than the training experience.
I thought that’s what you meant! Ha!
I’m in awe of those who can run a half! Yay!
Love that idea about praise from readers. I just visited a book club last night, and it was very encouraging to hear kind remarks from them.
I think writing is definitely like a marathon. But the promo? That’s like…an Ironman. It never seems to stop.
There are gratifying moments, though. Like the friend I talked to Wednesday night. She reads all my books. “I don’t think I could ever write a book, so I find the fact you’ve written multiple ones amazing.”
However, I would be totally on board with cheerleaders who have signs and snacks.
Ugh. So true about the promo, Liz!
It does feel like it never ends… [crying]
Oh, my gosh, Liz! Yes! Promo is like an Ironman. A triathlon. You’re very insightful. For example, the social media posts and author enewsletter is like the distance run. The guest blogs and author takeovers are like the swim. The in-person events like book fairs and book signings are the cycling. They’re all going to the same finish line, which is the sales/future contracts.
Love how you broke this down for us, Patricia!
This is so true, Jen! And the primary similarity to my mind is the need for perseverance–the ability to follow through and not give up, even when it’s painful and exhausting.
And yes, having cheerleaders encouraging us all on is SO helpful! Looking at you, Dru and Mark, as well as all our readers! 🙂
Hooray! I think readers should get medals!
“…the need for perseverance…” Absolutely, Leslie! The same way we run through the pain of a distance run, we’ve got to write through the pain. Break through the blank page. Shake our characters out of their sometimes collective silent treatment. Just write. Even when March Madness is whispering to us…
Yes and yes!
Jen, love this marathon comparison! I used to run “guest” miles for friends’ 24-hour charity marathons (basically to allow them a rest). I remember one team was called Feet Don’t Fail Me Now. I don’t think I turned in very good times, but my friends said that was okay; they needed the extra rest, ha!
Huh, I’ve never heard of this term before. That’s so kind of you to run the guest miles!
Great post, Jennifer. It got all my little gray cells working. Thank you. For me, running is 80 percent mental, 20 percent physical. While I’m running, if I allow myself to be distracted by tasks I have to complete today or things I still haven’t accomplished for the week, then I’m not going to have a good run. It’s the same with my writing. If I allow myself to be distracted by current events, social media, March Madness… whatever…I’m not going to have a productive writing day.
Eek, I really feel this. I find that when I’m distracted by oh-so-many-things, I’m rubbish at actually writing.
Oh, my gosh, Jennifer. I’m so glad it’s not just me. OMG.
Great analogy, and your post has inspired me to keep things more on the fun side. The unexpected (like a marathon runner in a bear costume) spreads good and happy vibes and makes something difficult more palatable. I have written in my pajamas, but I do believe it’s time to deploy deliberate whimsy as I slog toward my finish line!