The Series Continues: The Four "Cs" of Golf and Writing

Continuing with my exercise that is exploring the connections between golf and writing a novel, I would like to offer “Four Cs” that may be shared by both activities. After you read the list please come up with some ideas of your own and share them!

Consistency – If I take a month off from the golf course, I will notice a difference in the quality of my game. The same holds true for writing. If a vacation or some other time obligation takes me away from my keyboard, I can feel a bit rusty when I sit down to write. That’s not to say that breaks aren’t important … sometimes you need to remove yourself from a story and come back with a fresh eye. But, the regular practice of writing is still important.

Creativity – If you aren’t getting the score you want from your round of golf try changing your swing, grip or stance. Don’t box yourself into what one instructor told you a decade ago. When it comes to writing works of fiction I believe the need to be creative speaks for itself.

Criticism – You must be open to suggestions on how to improve. No one has a game like Tiger Woods when tee it up. Therefore there should be no reason to get defensive when someone offers a tip that could improve our game? In writing, it’s important to find a community of other authors, as well as brutally honest readers, who will review the written work, critique and offer feedback on how it could be better.

Cash – It’s a harsh reality that the game of golf and the pursuit of a writing career don’t come free. Golf is an expensive sport to play. A player has to buy clubs, shoes and a bag. That’s not to mention pay greens fees every time it is time to set foot on a course. If you want to be able to devote some time to writing, you need to be financially stable so that you can focus without spending countless hours at another job. And then there are the costs associated with the book. Every book needs a proofreader, editor and graphics person. That’s not to mention marketing and distribution once the book is published. Be ready to do a lot of that on your own!

All of these elements applied when I wrote and then began to market my three published books—Lifetime Loser, Finish Line, and Tuey’s Course. If you are a writer or a golfer, do they sound familiar to you as well?