Top 5 Things Pole Fitness Taught Me About Writing

Top 5 Things Pole Fitness Taught Me About Writing

Several years ago, I realized an important truth about myself: if exercise is not something fun and interesting, I am never, ever going to do it. However, my tendonitis becomes harder to manage when I gain weight. I also harbor a deep, abiding love for junk food (especially when working on a thorny plot problem). When I started working from home full time, I realized that I needed to find a way to make myself leave the house and exercise.

As a starting point, I subscribed to Groupon, where I challenged myself to buy any exercise-related deal for an activity I hadn’t tried yet. It was an interesting six months. I did everything from martial arts to trampoline aerobics. I also tried an activity that turned out to be life-changing for me. Pole fitness not only showed me how much fun exercise can be, but it taught me many truths about myself and writing.

• Patience

Pole fitness is a sport. Some people are naturally gifted at sports and learn easily. I am not one of them. I’ve always been more comfortable on the couch than in a gym or a field. Similarly, some people are born with a natural affinity for words. Everyone else has to work, to study. Learn the rules of grammar before breaking them. Learn how to plot a story. Learn about conflict and agency and all the things that turn an idea into a novel. It’s OK if writing doesn’t come naturally. Just take your time and figure out what works for you.

• Perseverance

Learning pole was not easy. There are moves that I spent over a year learning. There are moves I spent over a year practicing and still haven’t mastered. I’ve found myself on the floor crying after yet another fall from the pole. I’ve fallen on my head countless times, found bruises in places I didn’t know could bruise. But I keep trying, doing tricks to build up the right muscles, because at the end of the day, the thrill feel when I finally master a new move is worth the time and frustration.

Similarly, traditional publishing is a long process. It’s easy to get discouraged and give up. It can take months or even years to get an agent. Once you find an agent, it can take years to find a publisher. Many authors don’t get an agent with their first completed manuscript. Those who do won’t always get a publishing contract with that first book. You have to just keep on going. Once you finally hit that goal, it’s worth it.

• Everyone is on their own path. Worry about yourself.

When I started pole, I had roughly the upper arm strength of a two-year-old. Because the exercise can be dangerous for people who aren’t properly trained, everyone had to take the same introductory course. That means I found myself in the same beginner class as women who had done gymnastics for several years, women with dance backgrounds–in short, women who were in much better shape than I was. Those women could lift themselves off the ground from Day One. They’d see a trick once and master it. Me? Not so much.

But you know what? It doesn’t matter. I went to class, I did what I could. I learned, I improved. We’re all starting at different places, with different ideas and backgrounds. None of that is important. The key is pushing yourself to beat your own best, committing to ongoing improvement. Three years later? I was teaching that beginner class. That never could have happened if I’d gotten discouraged the first day because others were further along in their journeys.

If you compare yourself to the most successful people in publishing, it’s easy to get discouraged. You can’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. No one was born on the NYT best seller list. Just focus on your own journey and do the best you can.

• Be yourself

There are as many types of pole dancers as there are people in this world. Some women prefer routines that showcase strength, some focus on flexibility. Some dancers put on sexy shows, others want to make people laugh. Some people mix it up, incorporating other activities like belly dancing or ballet. Be true to yourself, do a routine that plays up your strengths, and enjoy it.

Similarly, write the book you want to write. Don’t worry about the market. Don’t focus on what you think will sell or what other people will want to write. Don’t worry whether a trope has been done before. Write for yourself, and you will find your audience.

• Be fearless

Pole is scary. One of my favorite moves involves leaping into the air, gripping the pole with my legs, and falling backwards, hanging suspended by my ankles. My teacher used to tell me that she would have a minor heart attack every time she saw me do this move. It’s scary. But if you’re afraid to take a risk, you’ll never know how far you can go.

It’s scary to put your work out into the world, ask other people to read it. When you’re pursuing a traditional publishing contract, you’re essentially asking people to judge your work. But if you don’t go for it, you can’t succeed. No risk, no reward. Don’t let the fear hold you back.

Without pole, I don’t know that I ever would have gained the confidence to even finish writing my first novel, much less seek an agent and an editor. Now I’ve got three published books, with three additional books and a novella coming out this year. I’m incredibly thankful that pole helped me become comfortable with myself and with my writing so I could finally pursue a dream I’d been harboring since childhood.

—

Laura Heffernan is like the wind. A couple of years ago, she discovered that she could have the time of her life doing pole fitness. In the still of the night, Laura enjoys writing books that recognize love is strange.

Before taking time off to have a baby, yes, she could do most of the moves described in this book. Not that one. But because big girls don’t cry, she tries not to dwell on it. Where are you tonight? Probably on Twitter, tweeting about reality television, board games, or Canadian chocolate.Read about Laura’s other books at www.lauraheffernan.com.

TIME OF MY LIFE

Janey’s never felt this way before, but passengers are off limits. It’s only one dirty dance…what could go wrong?

Legend says everyone who boards the Oceanic Aphrodite will find true love that day. Staff like Janey know that’s a crock. She’s on the ship to earn her paycheck teaching pole fitness, not for romance. Then she runs into Frank in the boarding area. He’s everything Janey isn’t-refined, classy, rich, privileged-but his good looks and charm make him undeniably appealing. Unfortunately, he’s a passenger, which means nothing can happen.

When Janey’s partner becomes too ill to perform in the end-of-cruise talent show, Frank offers to fill in. He’s never done pole, but his ballet background makes him the perfect choice. Not to mention their only option. Despite their differences, Janey finds herself falling for Frank. For the first time, she hopes the legend is real-but giving in to temptation means Janey could be out of a job.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips