I accomplished something rare not long ago: a hole in one.
Golfers out there understand how hard these are to come by, and for the rest of you, well, how about this for odds – insurance actuaries calculate the chances of an average golfer scoring an ace at 12,500 to one.
I’m a decent golfer, but certainly no star in the making. My handicap is low 20s and my average score for a round of 18 holes is low to mid-90s. So my first ever ace this summer wasn’t a complete shot in the dark, but it wasn’t something I ever realistically expected either.
So how does all this relate to writing?
I’ve been thinking about that, trying to glean some lessons or insight from scoring that hole in one that I can apply to the art of writing.
I’ve always told my writing students that luck is an equal partner to talent and perseverance when it comes to writing success. I believe that more than ever now.
If you’re a good writer and already a published author, the chances are better that one of your novels will strike gold and be the next big multi-million seller, like “The Girl on the Train” or “Fifty Shades of Yuk” (oops, was that my outside voice?). Just as those hole in one odds are better for touring pros than duffers like myself (2,500 to 1 for the pros).
But that doesn’t mean you can’t score an ace if you’re talented and you work at it, whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner. Because it can happen, and sometimes when you least expect it.
Like playing golf, writing is for pleasure. And, well, the paycheques too, truth be told. Just like I sometimes earn a bit of cash golfing too (we play for quarters on the par-3’s!). That hole in one sure was a nice little bonus though, just as getting published and selling books is icing on the cake to writers.
So writers, good things can happen to you with that winning triumvirate on your side – luck, talent and perseverance. Keep writing. And keep believing.
