Writing as a Triathlon

As a debut author, and a short story writer, it’s taken me a long time to accept that the only way I can share my stories with the world is to talk about them! It seems to be one of the final stages in the writer’s triathlon of self-belief. 

First you have to swim through the murky waters of being so bold as to cohesively write something down, create a narrative and break through the surface of the belief you *are* a writer. Then you can hop on that bicycle and pedal as hard as you can to gain momentum – submitting pieces here and there, and discovering that there are hills you have to conquer that require some serious commitment and cause regular aches and pains (synopsis writing anyone?). Then, finally, when you see the finish line you have to sprint toward it and it’s not until you hear the crowd roar that you realise how many people are cheering you on; and how invested they are in seeing you take that place on the podium. 

This is the time when we should stand tall and let the world see what we’ve achieved. Most of the people who were standing at the finish line waiting for us to cross it had no idea that we’d been involved in a triathlon. They only see the end of the race – the part where we reveal ourselves as writers and have something published. 

Our journey only ends when we can step up onto the podium and own our stories; when we can take credit for them; be so proud of them that we share our success as often as we can. 

For a long time I was so afraid of making it onto that podium. I wanted to write. I wanted to *be* a writer. To be published was my dream, and I spent years practicing how to swim before I made it out of the water and onto the bike so I could deliver my stories to other people through publication. I went around in circles for a bit too – limiting my audience to the same places, entering the same competitions year on year, submitting the same novel to different agents hoping for a better response. 

With the help of an amazing coach I realised that my stories deserved to be out in the world. Not for *my* sake, but for my future readers. By hiding underwater, and riding around in circles, I was depriving people the opportunity to enjoy my words – to cheer me on, and see me finish the race I had laboured on for so long.

Have you ever watched a triathlon? Or any sport for that matter. How amazing does it feel when the team you have been cheering on finally makes that finish line, that goal, that wicket? We all share in that success. We all feel amazing for being a part of that moment. 

When you write, you’re telling a story. But who are you telling it for… ?

Remember that last book you stayed up all night to read, or the one you finished in a day because you couldn’t put it down? You connected to the characters, fell into the world created by the writer, and adored every single word that created the pace of that story. You were invested.

By not promoting your book, or thinking you’re being humble by not slipping it into every conversation, you are depriving your reader from the joy of your story. 

You owe it to your readers to step up onto the podium and show them that you’re there. Without it, they may never know you exist. Your stories will go unread, your characters in suspended animation, your words silenced. 

You could be someone’s favourite author. Your book can change someone’s life. Your words have the potential to soothe, and distract, and capture people’s attention.  If you don’t show up to market your book, your readers will never know the feelings your words communicate. 

So take your place at the podium. Promote your book. Show people that you have survived the writer’s triathlon and be proud of it. You should be.  

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