Third and Long
I'm writing this post on Sunday night. In the other room, Live-In Handyman is watching the football game. I enjoy watching football for a little while if I like at least one of the teams playing.
Even so, I think football is an odd game. Grown men running around trying to catch a funny-looking ball. Or running around trying to keep someone else from catching a funny-looking ball. And once someone does catch the pointy ball, football becomes a foot race.
The other weird thing is this. Every time the teams line up for the snap, almost every player knows they're going to get hit. Think about that for a moment.
You're either going to hit somebody or somebody is going to hit you. Or both. However it happens, it's going to hurt. And for showing the world this example of ungentlemanly force and bad behavior, someone is going to pay you a lot of money. A. Lot. Of. Money.
I have yet to make sense of this.
Yet as writers, don't we do much the same thing?
We don't get banged up physically - usually - but we take plenty of lumps from critique partners, agents, editors, reviewers, and readers. Yet we come back day after day and write all over again.
Hmmm. Maybe football isn't so odd after all.
What do you think?
Comments
Taking the idea a bit farther, in football you want to be the one delivering the bigger blow as then the pain is forgotten after being overcome by the thrill.
Enjoyed your post, I find them so interesting to read and they are always well penned.
Yvonne.
...that sounds wrong.
But, you're right. We writers do get banged up a lot. Too bad we didn't make the billions. And I could use a nice ring.
Great analogy, Carol.
I played basketball in high school and it was normal to win some, lose some... There were bang ups and bruises, sometimes tears. All part of the game. And it's the same with writing.
Have you visited today? You are my big winner, Carol.
Writing is the same. We must like getting trashed and pulling things apart and putting them back together. Otherwise, we'd stop.
Slamdunk - The thrill of pain. What a concept.
Delores - Is there a reason to watch football besides those shiny tight pants?
Linda G - I'm glad writing pain is not quite so physical as football pain.
Elizabeth - Yes!
Yvonne - Sorry to learn of your son's injury. I'm glad you enjoy visiting the Tiki Hut :)
Hannah! It's so good to see you again.
"I can't believe the stuff I've been paid to do." This sounds like the first line of a great novel.
Anne - Yeah, who needs $$$ and bling. Highly overrated. Where's the signup table?
Janet - That would be pretty cool, huh :)
Cynthia - Not sure. Maybe someone has an idea?
Elspeth - That is funny!
LR - Who knew writing was a contact sport?
Melissa - We just never quit.
Elana - Something's not right about liking to get hit. Shaking head.
Liza - So true about getting up and going for the next play. Maybe those big bucks will come our way one day.
Stephen - Very true.
Julie - Wrestling :) Love it.