How many of you regularly watch the tennis tournaments?
The US Open presented an incredible match that lasted more than four hours. Federer almost won but his opponent Argentinean Juan Martin Del Potro managed to come back and win the unbeatable Federer. The women’s final followed a similar path as Kim Clijsters defeated the famous Serena Williams.
Today I found myself establishing a parallel between tennis and writing.
I compared Federer and Serena Williams to the New York Bestselling authors, well-established, basking in fame for years and unbeatable.
And yet, there are a lot of Del Potro and Kim Clijsters in Romance Writing. New authors with charming voices and fabulous imagination. With perseverance and hard work, they CAN reach the unreachable goal, they can be the new champions, the new bestselling authors.
Remember that the biggest champions and the most famous authors were once beginners too.
My husband doesn’t take his eyes off the TV for the two weeks of each of the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US open. I glance from time to the TV screen to cheer a good point.
At the Wimbledon, we cheered Roger Federer, my all–time favorite tennis player. The papers describe him as the most elegant champion and a true gentleman. With his sixth Wimbledon win, he became tennis's greatest men's champion, watched by a legion of champions. He also set a record with his 15th Grand Slam title, overhauling the total of Pete Sampras who was in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
Was Federer really unbeatable?
At the Wimbledon, we cheered Roger Federer, my all–time favorite tennis player. The papers describe him as the most elegant champion and a true gentleman. With his sixth Wimbledon win, he became tennis's greatest men's champion, watched by a legion of champions. He also set a record with his 15th Grand Slam title, overhauling the total of Pete Sampras who was in the Royal Box along with fellow legends Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
Was Federer really unbeatable?
The US Open presented an incredible match that lasted more than four hours. Federer almost won but his opponent Argentinean Juan Martin Del Potro managed to come back and win the unbeatable Federer. The women’s final followed a similar path as Kim Clijsters defeated the famous Serena Williams.
Today I found myself establishing a parallel between tennis and writing.
I compared Federer and Serena Williams to the New York Bestselling authors, well-established, basking in fame for years and unbeatable.
And yet, there are a lot of Del Potro and Kim Clijsters in Romance Writing. New authors with charming voices and fabulous imagination. With perseverance and hard work, they CAN reach the unreachable goal, they can be the new champions, the new bestselling authors.
Remember that the biggest champions and the most famous authors were once beginners too.
Dream your dream 
Set your goal
Work hard
Listen to your coach
Go for it
Develop a tough skin
PERSEVERE
You are almost there. One more hit is all it takes sometimes.
Set your goal
Work hard
Listen to your coach
Go for it
Develop a tough skin
PERSEVERE
You are almost there. One more hit is all it takes sometimes.
The Magic Knot by Helen Scott-Taylor, my critique partner, was voted among the ten best books of the year.
Through the Fire by Beth Trissel was a finalist in the Golden Heart.
Babies in the Bargain, by Mona Risk (yours truly) was voted Best Book of the Week by The Long and Short Reviews
If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with heat.
24 comments:
Well said, Mona.
MONA--there are so many parallels between writing and sports--I love to find the similarities and how we can learn from them. Now, You've given me more motivation and impetus to go ahead. Funny thing--I dreamed I was chosen as a winning romance author--and I woke up all fluttery, almost like it had really happened. Then I remembered--the dream originated from America's Got Talent when that chicken catcher/singer won the big prize and the million dollars. Sigh!!! Celia
Malcolm Gladwell has perhaps the best theory of success in The Outliers - that it takes 10,000 hours of anything to become as master (about ten years of doing something constantly) - federer and Tiger woods are great examples - I'd add a caveat - it's who you're 'being' in life that produces results - if you're 'being' best seller, best seller will show up - lynn romaine - Long Run Home - due 09/18 (tomorrow!)www.thewildrosepress.com
Interesting comparison, Mona. I respect Federer, but I have to admit, I was cheering for Del Potro
hi Mona,
I'm not a big sports fan, of any kind--but baseball is my favorite, if I have to choose one. However, I did happen to see Serena Williams and her tantrum she threw resulting in the forfeiture of the game and match. Another parallel in sportts/writing: no matter what level you have achieved, always have class. It's easy to be sportsmanlike when you are winning. I enjoyed your comparison. Wouldn't it be great if we could all grab the brass ring of fame?
Cheryl
Fun post. Great advice!
great concept and very motivational!
Sylvie Kaye
Ah, Mona, what a great post! I love tennis, and while I can't always get TV coverage of all the grand slams, I keep track through the year as much as I can, and of course being in the UK, I watch Wimbledon like a woman possessed! Unbeatable? Nah!! Two words - Rafa Nadal!
Now, so many times I wish my writing was NOT like a tennis match - you know, 'he said, so she said, then he said....' urgh! That's coaching and practice. ;-) But your analogy is so good, especially when it comes to thinking about future winners - I DO hope we see new names come up year after year, in everything, as well as tennis or writing or whatever. Keep striving for the very best, why not, and what fun!
Jane x
Great analogy and so true!
And as if I could even swing the racket!
Anything that becomes a heart and soul goal is like writing, isn't it?
Hi, Mona,
Of course this one caught my eye--and gave me chills, I might add! I love the parallel of the biggest names in ANYthing started at some humble beginning point. What I loved about this particular US Open Championship is how like a great book it resonated. To beat Nadal--among the VERY elite few who can beat Federer--only to beat the Fed and to break him in the last game to do so??? I walked around stunned at Del Potro's accomplishment the entire evening and woke up wondering how he must have felt when he awakened the next day. Kind of like that first acceptance letter from a publisher or seeing that book cover for the first time or completing that wip I never thought I'd be able to write? (BTW, I'm glad you wrote a tennis blog--almost felt that I had to after having written mine about perseverance after Wimbledon!)
Hi Sandra--Thank you
Celia--You WILL win a romance contests. Several of out friends did. Just believe it will happen and go after your dream.
Judi--You are probably right. We have to believe in ourselves and stop being humble.
Kathye-- I love Federer. He's been my all-time hero, and yet that night I found myself cheering for Juan Del Potro. He had put so much effort that he deserved to win.
Cheryl-- I saw Serena's tantrum too. What a sour loser. That's what happens sometimes when famous people think the world of themselves and treat the rest of us like garbage. Apparently she apologized on her website. Too much money at stake. LOL
Debra, glad you enjoyed the post and subtle advice.
Sylvie-- you said it well. Del Potro's win is certainly a great motivation for us to persevere, improve, go for it.
Jane-- Was it the Australian Open where Nadal defeated Federer? Anything is possible dear. We may see your name and mine on the NYB list one day. Please God listen to my plea. LOL
Loraine, I am glad you found truth in my analogy
Exactly Mary. Think of writing as your own tennis. And hit the ball. Hit strong to win.
Joanne-- you wrote your comment better than I did my post. Each win is a success. I will always remember the email I received with my first contract. I read it 200 times unable to believe I was going to be published. Now we are pushing our goal higher and higher. We want to beat the Federer of Romance Writing.
Mona, haha. I have no time for tennis. It looks interesting. My husband likes watching women's tennis. Go figure. But you've got to have stamnia, patience and a little of persistance to play tennis and write. There's much in common. Nice food for thought.
Steph
FYI... you're the featured book review in my friday book review this week in my blog.
**Smiles**
Steph
Steph, thank you. What is your blog link?
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