From pitch to page: parallels in football and book preparation
The first semifinal of the UEFA Euro 2024 is happening today. Interestingly, football players and authorpreneurs share remarkable similarities in their preparation methods, whether it’s for a game or for writing a book.
As we near kickoff, let's appreciate the meticulous work that goes into both a football game and the writing of a book. Like football teams, authorpreneurs use careful planning and strategy to bring their stories to life.
Study your opponents or genres
Football teams study their opponents, analyze past performances, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies to counter their tactics. Likewise, authorpreneurs research their genre(s) and read widely to grasp conventions and tropes, as well as the writing styles of fellow authors (their competition). This research helps authorpreneurs figure out what works and what doesn't, so they can write a story their audience will love.
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Hone your skills
Football teams have tactical meetings where they discuss line-ups, formations, and specific plays tailored to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. Similarly, authors structure their books by outlining major plot points and character arcs. This roadmap keeps your writing on track and helps in creating a story that’ll keep readers hooked.
Players drill their skills to be perfect in the game. Likewise, authorpreneurs practice their writing to get better at storytelling.
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Personal rituals
Moreover, many players have rituals to get into “the zone”—whether it’s listening to music, visualizing plays, or following a specific pre-game routine. In the same vein, many authors have unique ways of preparing to write. 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
Just as a good football team is more likely to win, a well-prepared authorpreneur is more likely to write a compelling book. The discipline, dedication, and strategic thinking required in both fields are strikingly similar.
In the end, these similarities highlight the universal truth: thorough preparation paves the way to success.
