Writing is like Climbing a Mountain

I recently returned from a wonderful, amazing, unbelievable holiday in Colorado over the Christmas/New Year holidays.  It was beautiful and we all experienced the wonder of snow fall!  Being originally from Perth, Western Australia, the winter climate isn’t one that encourages snow. So for all of us it was wonderful to fall into the soft white stuff. See it fall from the sky and even  drive in it!

One of our adventures was climbing a mountain.  The total elevation of the mountain is 9,786ft, the trail we climbed was about 1,006ft. Tramping through snow, following a small trail, I felt like I climbed the whole 9,786ft.

It was an unbelievable experience. The day was sunny but cool.  There was no wind, which I was grateful for.

You could be wondering why I’m comparing climbing a mountain to the writing journey. Let me explain. I started out enthusiastic, I couldn’t wait. DH said the trail was about 1.7 miles one way.  Okay I thought that wouldn’t be too bad. Just like when you start on your writing adventure, you’re all keen to start something new, can’t wait and believe it’s going to be a fairly easy process.

As the climb progressed the enthusiasm subsided a bit. The climb became a bit harder. Just like writing, you hit the wall and no words are coming out.

As we got closer to the top I thought around each bend the summit would be there, but no there was more climbing to be done. And just like writing you get encouraging rejections or even better revision requests. You think are you close to getting the “call” soon.

Then you get to the point and you wonder, why? Why am I doing this climb, it’s so hard, I’ve achieved a good amount of it, it won’t matter if I give up now. There were a few times I thought about giving up on that climb. And the same with writing, you get so close and then you get the, ‘thanks but this story, even with the numerous revisions you’ve made, still isn’t going to work.’ Giving up seems so easy. I’ve given it a good shot haven’t I?

But then the fire and determination kicks back in and fires up your belly. “No I’m not giving up, I’m going to climb this damn mountain.” Or for writing, “I’m going to start the next novel and take all I’ve learned to make it the ONE!”.

After another 45 minutes of climbing I made the summit. It was an unbelievable feeling. After all the doubts, all the desires to give up, I didn’t and I made it!

In writing the summit is getting the call for publication.  I haven’t got that call yet, but I will. I won’t give up, I won’t accept that halfway through the journey is a ‘good effort’. I’ll keep climbing and climbing and climbing until I reach that summit. I may stumble and need to rest once in a while but I will get there.

I hope you’ll join me for my climb.

NF