Archery and Writing

I am like an arrow shot from a bow. Where the wind guides me, my heart follows.

–Stephanie Cotta

I breathe in and out, gripping my bow as I snatch an arrow from my quiver nestled against my back. Nocking the arrow, I adjust my footing in the grass, and my eyes fix on the target. I relax my shoulders and raise my bow out in front of me. Fingers squeeze deftly on the string, pulling it to my cheek. Only a second passes before I relinquish my grip. The arrow flies for but a breath before the target stops its wind-whipping arc. I nock another arrow, repeat the process eleven more times before collecting my arrows, and begin again.

I didn’t delve into archery until I was thirty but love for the recreation (as with writing) was instilled in me from a young age. It’s all due to one fictional character and his band of merry men. As a child, I loved stories of Robin Hood. You could say he was my first archer crush! I read children’s books about him and watched cartoons that showed him splitting that fabled arrow. Then, several years later in the mid 90’s, I encountered the video game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time where I could play a young, blond-haired boy garbed in green who fights off evil with his legendary sword and fairy bow. And let’s not forget Legolas; as soon as I saw The Fellowship of the Ring in theaters at age fourteen, my fascination with literary archers, and archery, grew to new heights.

But let’s bring it back to reality. What led me to doing archery? I went through a devastating divorce after a ten-year abusive marriage, and in my journey to rediscover the lost pieces of my shattered self, I took steps to become strong again. During this difficult time, one of my friends had just gotten into archery. He bought a recurve bow and invited me to his place to try it out. He was left-handed, and for those who don’t know anything about archery, it means the bow is held in the right hand and drawn with the left. As I am right-handed, it felt strange, especially with aiming, but frankly, it didn’t matter. After firing off a few arrows with his bow, I knew I had to get my own.

I purchased my Tiger Shark Recurve Bow along with all the equipment needed to take this new endeavor seriously: carbon arrows with black and white striped fletching, a black leather quiver, finger guards, and leather bracers which I had custom-made. With my gear set, I met my friend at a local shooting range and took my first archery lesson. And so, the little girl (and my inner nerd) who’d always wanted to learn archery, finally got her wish.  

Since starting archery in late 2017, it has become one of my go-to recreations when I’m not writing. I enjoy the stillness, the calmness arising in my spirit. Each time I venture outside and shoot, something uncanny sweeps over me as I take my firing stance. I feel connected to the earth, the ground beneath my feet, and the brush of the wind on my cheeks. At this moment, I am about to practice a skill people have performed for thousands of years. I think it’s the history buff in me that draws this specific connection, but it’s a poignant thought every time. 

Archery has sunk its arrows into my writing. I am a fantasy author, and my preferred genre is epic fantasy. Remember Legolas? Well, I blame J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis for inspiring me to create my own fantasy world as they did, both of whom featured archers in their stories. So, of course, I followed suit! Having a background in archery gives me first-hand knowledge when writing believable characters who wield a bow. But doing archery isn’t something I utilize solely in writing; it’s also an escape from writing. Anyone who writes knows it can be mentally and physically taxing, and often requires sitting for long stretches of time. So, when I need a break, a change of scene, or simply to get out of my headspace, I pick up my bow and quiver and shoot. 

Both writing and archery require discipline. I’ve utilized both in my life to overcome big emotional hurdles. Writing has been a cathartic way to process my grief and pain. But archery has helped me discover something else—a rekindled belief: That I am strong, not because I hold a bow in my hand, but the practice and pursuit of it built a foundation of strength and focus, finding serenity in my heart and mind along the way. 

We all need an outlet that fulfills a deep yearning inside our being. To those on the path of rediscovery, I say it’s never too late to revisit a childhood dream. I have done both with writing and archery. If you had told my teenage self that I would be doing archery in my thirties or become a published author, I would not have believed you. But an arrow was shot from my heart, its aim steadfast on the mark, with one goal in mind: keep writing. Don’t let the dream fizzle. 

As I write this, I am thankful the arrow didn’t fall short of the target. It struck the bullseye. I intend to keep firing arrows, publishing more books, following the dreams written in my heart. 

Stay true to the course, writers!   

Social Media links:

Facebook: @Stephanie D. Cotta https://www.facebook.com/s.daniellacotta

THE CONJURER’S CURSE

Since birth, Rowan has been the object of scorn in his village. The reason? He’s a dikyli-an outsider with albino skin and an ominous mark blazoned on his neck. So when his fourth guardian-mother is found dead, all blame falls on him, and he is banished before his life-draining curse can strike again. The only path left to Rowan is clear: He must discover who cursed him and alter his horrible fate-or forever lose everyone he loves.

From facing treacherous seas, soul-devouring Moonshades, and desert terrors, Rowan battles for his very survival to reach his homeland-the far-off kingdom of Shandria, a land rife with hostilities. Dark surprises and back-stabbing betrayals emerge as two devious Iron Barons-who know the scandalous origin of his curse-plot to imprison him in the Mountain of the Damned with the rest of the accursed.

To make matters worse, Rowan’s curse threatens to claim another life when he meets Tahira, a spunky, pertly persistent Shandrian who vows to aid him in his quest despite the overwhelming odds. Their alliance of trust and necessity develops into love-a love doomed to end in death if Rowan remains cursed. With the hope of a future hanging in the balance, he must overcome the greatest challenge of his life. For the only way to end his curse is to slay the Conjurer who cast the life-draining spell.

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