Three Reasons Why Being a Writer Is Like Being an Athlete

by Tegwyn Hughes, Age 15, Canada

Artwork by Journey Meyerhoff


Being a Writer is Like Being an AthleteSometimes, the things with the most contrast can actually have a lot in common. You wouldn’t notice it at first, but when you think about it, there are a lot of tips that can apply to both writing and exercising. That’s why I want to share with you the top three reasons why being a writer is just like being an athlete.

You Should Always Challenge Yourself

A professional soccer player doesn’t become an expert by using the same routine every day. They start small and work their way up to greatness, constantly testing how far they can exert themselves. How? By pushing themselves to their limits and challenging themselves. Writing requires the same pressure in order to improve. Sometimes, even the tiniest challenges can be the most rewarding. Giving yourself small writing goals each day, or a certain word count to reach per month, can help you be the best writer you can be.

Practice Is Vital

When you get too comfortable with a genre, audience, style, or length of writing, you aren’t able to make much progress. A lot of athletes can tell you that only trying one exercise will do nothing to help you get fit. You need to train your entire body by using different equipment and strengthening different muscles. Every writer (and athlete) has their preferences, but that doesn’t mean you should stay in your comfort zone. Do you adore thinking up mysteries about mopey detectives in Chicago? Try writing something completely different, like a story about a summer romance in Paris. Who knows; you might enjoy it!

You Can Never Give Up

Sometimes, it might feel like everything you do is a failure. Whether it’s having to walk instead of run during the biggest marathon of the year, or getting rejection after rejection, you can’t let the world get you down. Something you need to remember is to always keep at it.  Continuing to push yourself will make your work get better and better, and will make the people who doubted you regret it. If you compare the things you wrote in second grade to the things you’re writing now, you’ve probably improved a whole lot over the years.

There are plenty of other reasons why the brainy and brawny aren’t as different as it seems (mainly our shared love of energy drinks), but these stand out the most. The next time you’re stuck with an article, story, or poem, ask an athletic friend if they have any advice. You might have more in common than you think!




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