Why This Writer is Watching the Olympics

I’ve never been an athletic person. It’s something I made peace with a long time ago, but I do admire any athlete who excels at their sport, whether they win a medal or not. It’s always inspiring to see jaw-dropping performances and the athletes’ elation as they achieve what they’ve spent most of their lives (and probably a great dealing of money) training for.

As a writer, the drama, tension, and anticipation of unfolding events reminds me of a great action novel, where I keep turning the page to see what happens next. These days, I’m switching the TV on day and night for the same reason. Can anything be more suspenseful than watching the best in the world prepare for the 100 meter race?

Can there be anything more devastating than to watch unexpected crashes and injuries during events? I’ve been watching the Olympics for over forty years and I still hold my breath every time I see a gymnast start their balance beam routine.

The Olympics is filled with compelling stories that intersect with one another throughout the games. It’s emotional, political, sociological, and in this Olympics, very much environmental.

Am I going to give up some writing time to watch? You bet. It’s the best reality TV out there, and I never could resist a good story.

Debra

Why The Olympics Are Great For Writers

As you probably know, the Olympics are underway here in Vancouver. We’re in day three and already there’s been some great moments (the opening ceremony and medals for Canada), embarrassing moments (need I go on about the torch lighting glitch?) and a tragic moment, when the Georgian luger lost his life during a practice run.

While I’ve been watching the stories unfold, it occurred to me that these next two weeks will offer some pretty unique opportunities for writers. The most obvious example is the articles that local and visiting writers will create for magazines, journals, newspapers, and blogs. But what about fiction writers? Wouldn’t it be great to set a story during the Olympics? A novel even? Clearly, these next few days can and will put writers to work. And here’s something else: isn’t it possible that tourists might venture into bookstores and search for books by local writers or with local scenes? And what about writers who meets visitors in the restaurants, the bars, and in those long lineups for events and strike up conversations about writing, and happen to sell a book or two?

Opportunities are everywhere and creative souls should make the most of this unique event. So, excuse me while I cut this blog short to pull out my notepad and jot down some ideas....

Fatal Encryption can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ddzsxl
Taxed to Death can be found at http://tinyurl.com/czsy5n

Writers and Olympians ... Not so Different

I'm not an athlete and never was, but I sure enjoy watching great competition. Nothing's better than seeing Olympians from sixteen to over fifty compete their hearts out. Sure, some of the highest ranking athletes do win gold, but not always. The unexpected can happen, which is what makes sport so interesting.

I empathize with the daily struggle, commitment, and dedication these athletes have endured to qualify for tickets to Beijing. So many of them have spent years of physical pain, uncertainty, and financial loss to achieve their goal. Does any of this sound familiar to you writers out there? Obviously, a lot of terrific athletics won't win a medal, but for a brief time we'll know their names, cheer them on, and admire them for having gotten this far.

Lots of good writers will never win awards, become bestsellers or make a living from their work, but I admire their spirit and respect their efforts. They deserve a cheer and round of applause for the hundreds of hours spent creating and editing at their keyboards, putting their work out there, and hoping the world will notice for at least a few brief moments.

Here's a quote from ByLine magazine. I've posted this before, but it's worth repeating as we're midway through the Olympics.

"Tenacity is essential to success in writing. While success as a writer is a great achievement, considerable merit attaches to the effort itself. As in athletics, training is the struggle; victory is merely the affirmation of that struggle."

For excerpts of Fatal Encryption, and my first book, Taxed to Death visit,
http://www.debrapurdykong.com/