Taking Shots (at Writing)

What do shots have to do with writing? 

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take - Wayne Gretzky 

I think this is also a funny office quote, but admittedly I’m more of a parks and rec or new girl kind of gal. 

But, the important thing is that this quote rings true for more than just sports and office work: 

You miss what you don’t try. 

You can’t hit a ball when you don’t swing. 

You can’t tell a story if you don’t write it. 

Your first draft will definitely be ugly. It’s supposed to be. But that’s the first swing. 

Your second draft might not meet your standards either, but you’re rounding first base with it. 

Your third draft will begin to look like a home run, because you’re getting there. 

And your fourth draft? Well you’ve probably knocked it somewhere out of the park there. 

All this to say, sit down and write. Let it be bad. Let it get weird. Let it go off track a bit. You have to swing. 

Thanks for sticking with me, sports fans. No one is more impressed with these references than my father, who as an electrical engineer reads every one of my writing newsletters (Hi, Dad!).

Think about the sound of a metal bat striking a ball and echoing out into a field of players. Then think about the sound of your keyboards keys or the pen tip to paper. You can do this. Sit down and write.