From pitch to page: parallels in football and book preparation
Soon, the UEFA Euro 2024 will end. Interestingly, football players and authorpreneurs share remarkable similarities in their preparation methods, whether it’s for a game or for writing a book.
As the hours count down until kick-off, let’s appreciate the meticulous preparation behind the scenes—whether on the football field or at an author’s writing desk. Just as football teams meticulously plan and strategize, authorpreneurs also adopt a structured approach to ensure their stories come to life seamlessly.
Study your opponents or genres
Football teams study their opponents. They analyze past performances, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to counter the opposing team’s tactics. Similarly, authorpreneurs study their chosen genre(s), and read extensively to understand its conventions, tropes, and trends, but also the readers’ expectations and the way fellow authors (aka ‘competitors’) write. This research phase is crucial because it informs the authorpreneur about what works and what doesn’t, thus, helping them craft a story that resonates with their audience.
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Hone your skills
Next, football teams have tactical meetings where they discuss line-ups, formations, and specific plays tailored to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. In the same vein, an authorpreneur outlines their book, plotting the major plot points and character arcs. It provides a roadmap that guides the writing process and ensures that the story remains coherent and keeps readers interested from start to finish.
Training is another critical aspect of a football team’s preparation. Players practice specific skills and rehearse their strategies repeatedly to ensure flawless execution during the game. Similarly, authorpreneurs practice their writing skills to hone their narrative, polish their language, and develop clear, well-structured characters or action scenes.
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Personal rituals
Moreover, just as football players have personal rituals to get into “the zone”—whether it’s listening to music, visualizing plays, or following a specific pre-game routine—authorpreneurs also have their own ways of getting into the right mindset for writing. Some might have a particular writing spot and listen to specific music. Others might need a cup of coffee, tea, or wine, and some might set specific writing goals to kickstart their creative flow.
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Preparation is key
A well-prepared football team increases its chances of winning the game, just as well-prepared authorpreneurs enhance their chances of producing a compelling book. The discipline, dedication, and strategic thinking required in both fields are strikingly similar. Ultimately, the similarities underscore the universal truth that thorough preparation lays the groundwork for success.
