Who
better to inspire a “B” post, than Babe Ruth himself? When deciding what to post,
I thought of writing and its importance in my life, and sports, that I watch
because those I love watch it, but isn’t my favorite pastime. Yet Babe seemed
to have a lot to say to me today, and perhaps to you, no matter
what you do. Here are a few Babe Ruth quotes that I felt spoke directly to us
as folks who blog, no matter what about.
To
begin, “Watch my dust” and “You
just can't beat the person who never gives up” said exactly what I try to tell
myself each time I hit a bump in the road.
As a
writer, I have to make sure that the final product I release to the world must
be the best I can make it. and I have to follow the steps, the guidelines
that will help me reach that goal. So did Babe. “I had only one superstition. I
made sure to touch all the bases when I hit a home run.”
“Every
strike brings me closer to the next home run.” Told me never to give up. To
keep on swinging and make every try count, not just the ones I “hit.”
“Yesterday's
home runs don't win today's games.” I can’t rest on my laurels and hope success
will take care of itself. I must be in constant motion. Each time I finish one,
I must begin a new creation.
“All
I can tell them is pick a good one and sock it. I get back to the dugout and
they ask me what it was I hit and I tell them I don't know except it looked
good.” How do I know the work I’ve done is worth the time and effort I’ve put
into it? I don’t! My last novel (released January 2015) was a different
writing experience for me, so because it looked good, felt right, I stuck with
it.
“The
way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest
bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the
club won't be worth a dime.” I might write the books, but I have so many people
who help make it the best it can be, experts who share their insights, beta
readers who tell me what works and what doesn’t, artists who create my covers,
my family and friends who keep me going. This is a team job alright and I’d be
nothing without my team.
With writing, it’s all or nothing. I can’t write without
commitment to the project because it won’t gel. My work is only as good as the
energy I put into it… “How to hit home runs: I swing as hard as I
can, and I try to swing right through the ball... The harder you grip the bat,
the more you can swing it through the ball, and the farther the ball will go. I
swing big, with everything I've got. I hit big or I miss big. I like to live as
big as I can.”
“Gee,
its lonesome in the outfield. It's hard to keep awake with nothing to do.” Don’t
slack off! Yes, take time to recharge batteries, of course, but never leave
alone what you love too long. I hate to think readers might fall asleep while
reading one of my books!
