Wednesday, June 4, 2014

IWSG: A Fish Returning To Water: On Exercise and How Strategy Games Can Make Us Better Writers


Need A Little Support?Thanks to Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer's Support Group gives bloggers a monthly chance to express their concerns, worries, and insecurities without fear of reprisal. It's a seriously big group now, and with well over 300 participants, it shows no signs of slowing down! I'd like to thank Alex for keeping this group going for so long, as it has proved wonderful in the supporting of fellow authors and the revealing of needed and sound advice.

*     *     *

For the first time in five years, I dove into an outdoor lap swimming lane. I grew up on the west coast, and I was lucky enough to have a pool in the backyard. Needless to say I spent many summer hours in that little oasis (and a few unintentional seconds in the winter when I accidentally fell in while cleaning it). This made me part fish.

I'm not sure what drove me inland (to a desert, no less), and while I have since found the love of my universe, scored a good job, (in the process of) raising a family, and entered the writing community here, I've missed the one method of exercise that actually works for me.

Pools are limited here. And pricey. Most are indoors. Lap swimming times are inconvenient and often too crowded to get a really deep endurance workout. I let these factors deter me, and I wasted away. Bad sleeping habits ensued. I gained more weight than I'd like. It's possible that depression was creeping into my life. That's when I decided, enough is enough. I can't compromise my health here.

Then a friend of mine told me about a study (which I'd link if I knew where to find it, so we'll be hypothetical from this point on), that "writing science fiction and fantasy uses the same areas of the brain that's required for us to play chess and other strategy-type games."

What in the what now? That kinda makes sense, doesn't it? I've always enjoyed strategy games. No one likes to play Risk because I always win (except that one time--I'll defeat you someday, niece!). Then I thought, why don't I put this brain of mine to good use?

To make a long story short, I invested in an (outdoor) pool pass, I rearranged my work schedule so I could swim in the afternoons (no one uses the lap lanes then), and three days in, I'm already feeling a difference. My steps are lighter. I'm breathing is deeper. I crave vegetable matter. My sleep is improving. And so is my writing.

The answer to our quandaries can't always be found externally. I think it's something already built into us. Since not every size fits all, it takes time to find (or re-find) what ultimately works for us. I am a writer of science fiction and fantasy, but that's no excuse to ignore my reality. I don't get to restart my days or hit the reset button.

We're smart. Why not have a strategy in life? Why not make use of the mistakes we make and learn from them? These questions have pulled me from several slumps lately. Answering them has led me to a joy long suppressed. But my answer may not be for you. Put on the thinking cap, my friends. We're smart. Our answers are out there.

Until next time, stay awesome. And play hard.

Also, do me a solid and check out Mark Noce's short story, Meet Me At The Waterfront, which was published here. It's a good one!

Do you think chess and strategy games can make us better writers? What type of exercise works for you? Are you part fish like me?

I'm David, and are you ready for the Edge of Tomorrow?

33 comments:

  1. Yay for doing what you love :) Can you believe I didn't learn how to swim until I was in high school? (When it was required for gym class). I still suck at it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. If role playing games count as strategy games, I'm good!
    I've never enjoyed running. But determination to maintain my body drove me to try it. I've been working out at a gym for years, and now it includes a five mile run four to five days a week. And I've never felt better. Keep at the swimming, David!

    ReplyDelete
  3. that's why we make mistakes, to learn from them :-)
    and physical activity keeps those ideas churning!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd enjoy walking or running more if my toes didn't suck. Swimming would be much better but I'd need a private pool since no one wants to see me in a bathing suit. I used to play a lot of Age of Empires and Star Wars Rebellion in the late 90s/early 00s. Those games were a lot of fun--unless I lost.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I used to swim all the time at my grandparents' cabin and I miss it. I've always been a runner though so I enjoy getting out and pounding the pavement. Good luck getting back into shape.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm definitely part-fish. I love swimming, although I haven't gone in a few years. The last time I went to the beach and swam in the ocean, I kept getting the life guards after me because I wanted to swim beyond the breakers. For some reason they frown upon that. *shrugs*

    That's a really cool way to think of writing sci-fi and fantasy. I can see it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I grew up in Hawaii and we have a pool now, so I guess my whole family is part fish. :) Way to find a way to swim again. You're an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love strategy games, and I do believe they enhance your cognition, which affects your writing. Same thing goes for exercise.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It's great that you're getting back into swimming. I think I need to figure out the things that make me happy--besides writing, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I was once part fish too. My grandma used to tease that God gave me wide feet for flippers. I'm leaving for the beach Friday and I can't wait to get in the water, though I do think of sharks more now than I ever did as a kid. Keep swimming David!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this post...exercise is the best! If I'm stuck at a place in my manuscript, going for a walk always helps. And I'm a former competitive swimmer so water feeds my spirit and my brain, no doubt. I swim 1-2 miles a couple times a week, and it's so restorative. Glad you found your way back to the water. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Most of my swimming was in the ocean. I was lucky to be near it and where I lived that water was pleasantly warm. Now I'm in the north, and while the ocean's still nearby, it bloody cold. Keep swimming.

    I feel that putting a story together is always a strategy challenge, so I guess the answer to your question is yes.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think it's important to have a strategy in life, just like all the other things we have strategies or goals for such as careers.

    That's an interesting study. Now I feel like writing more sci-fi and fantasy. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I wouldn't mind seeing that study. Just finished cleaning my pool. So far I'm getting more exercise opening it for the summer than I ever get swimming in it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey with the money rolling in from your book sales I bet you can afford to put in your own pool. And I'm totally down with your goal of ending up with a zero balance by the time you die. That's just awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great advice. We give others much credit (and often, money) to tell us what we need to do versus finding our own answers.

    As a west coaster, I take for granted the fact that I can swim outdoors throughout the year.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Awesome you found a way to swim. My daughter is a swimmer now and I hope she'll keep it up for exercise when she stops swimming as a sport.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just did a post about Risk.
    heh

    ReplyDelete
  19. I finally figured out that maybe if I ENJOYED the exercise I was doing then I would be prompted to exercise more. Running? Despise it. I would be a writer for exactly three days and then quit. Walking? LOVE it. And now I walk a couple miles every day because I actually want to.

    Glad you're getting back into the swing of things! It certainly does feel better when you do. Happy Wednesday!

    Sam
    Writing Through College

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm so glad you invested in yourself. I'm even more happy that it's translated into improved health and writing. Go, David!

    I'm excited for Edge of Tomorrow, looks awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I would love to be able to swim regularly, but like you said, the pools are always too busy when I'm able to go. I'm glad you're already feeling the difference :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I started going to the gym and it helped but i also got a lot of injuries (muscles strains and tears). Guess age takes it's toll. Now I stretch and strap myself up good before getting into it.

    mood
    Moody Writing

    ReplyDelete
  23. Now that I think about it, turn-based strategy games involving tiles probably help me a lot with my blocking.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I know that I feel better and think better (and have a better attitude) when I exercise regularly, but I still hate doing it and avoid it whenever I can. My hope is that I will run out of excuses after my retirement at the end of this month and commit to stop being a wimp.

    As for strategy games, I did not know that. But it does make sense. Luckily, I just dragged Blokus and Rumis home from my classroom. Now, if only I could find someone to play with. My family feels about those games the way yours feels about Risk.

    Too bad we don't live closer, huh?

    ReplyDelete
  25. That sounds like as good a reason to play more strategy games as any!

    I hope you enjoy your swimming. It sounds like a lot of fun. I was never part fish, but I always wanted to be :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I grew up by the beach and have moved to a quasi-desert where I am a trout on a hot sidewalk. I like your solution.

    ReplyDelete
  27. That's great! :) I enjoy swimming too and since I'm a nanny this summer, I get to take both kids to the pool. No laps, but I love being in the water. I always wanted to be a mermaid as a kid. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi David .. that's excellent news - and so pleased it's working for you in more ways than one .. and thank you because I can access a pool here and I keep meaning to join up ..

    Have a very happy toning summer .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  29. So glad you were able to make it work for you. I, too, have had to make that change in my life. With spouse and kids it's easy to put ourselves last but when your health suffers, everyone suffers. Keep it up, don't let life get in the way.

    ReplyDelete
  30. My exorcise of choice for every day is yoga but when I'm drafting --possibly the most mentally vigorous part of my process --I take walks between scenes to ground myself back in reality.

    I never thought of using strategy games to keep my writing muscles fit but when I was in school and exorcizing my brain every day I usually got a lot more writing done so maybe there is something to it.

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's great that you have the chance to swim. I liked to do that a lot and I would do it again if I could. I bet you'll be back in shape in no time, mostly when you do love to swim. The dwarves will be cheering for you. :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hey, David,

    Glad to see you taking better care of yourself... I've been preaching about exercise for writers for years now. Glad you joined the group! It helps clear our minds, gets our hearts pumping and basically clears out all the cobwebs. Not to mention as we get older keeping fit is a MUST. I should know... lol. The years are creeping up fast. So enjoy your thirties my friend. Staying fit now will bring you into your fifties with a lot of positive energy and lot less joint pain. Lol.

    I LOVE walking so that keeps me happy and fit. I also hit the gym five or six times a week. Yes, I know, I'm insane. But it works for me. It's a constant battle to keep those pesky pounds away.

    Have a great weekend and enjoy your swimming.

    ReplyDelete
  33. It's all connected, isn't it? The whole mind-body thing. I'd take up yoga, but I'm sure I'd hurt myself.

    I'll stick to tennis.

    ReplyDelete