At that Thursday Willamette Writers Eugene meeting, the speaker was a sports psychologist who was applying her techniques to writers. In theory at least, writers have more in common with elite athletes than you’d think. We worry, obsess and tense-up just like Usain Bolt probably does just before the race. Pitching to agents at a conference must rank right up there with Olympic Hammer Throw–if you screw it up, the hammer’s coming down in the wrong place.
I sat next to one of my favorite writing students, a person I’ve been dying to ask questions, like: Have you ever felt cheated by yoga or tai chi teachers who say your energy is all wrong if you don’t do the moves correctly? This student has to know how I feel, because one of her limbs is inoperable or in her case, nonexistent. How the heck do you improve your chi if you aren’t able to repeat the correct moves? I’d probably be a dead downward dog.
So this presenter had the audience doing seated motions to boost confidence, banish worry and sweep off that aura. I kept thinking about this hysterical skit put on by some pals of mine called Live Matinee. Their Poo Chi skit is a bit irreverent but a real hoot, taking the moves of belly dancing, or just plain belly worship, to new heights. But back to the meeting. I sat there, doing my one-handed imitation of the psychologist’s routine, hoping nobody noticed my chi was getting more lopsided every moment.
Writing Tip For Today: The psychologist’s talk reminded me not only of darling Poo Chi (be kind to your belly, love your belly) but also of the challenges each writer faces when daring to engage in this writing life. You’ll get worried, be rejected, obsess over your mail. The mere sight of the agent’s pitch room at a writing conference may give you palpitations or make you wet your pants. But never fear! Do a few simple breathing and chi-strengthening exercises and Usain Bolt will have nothing on you. Except that if you get mixed up with Poo Chi by accident, you’ll be navel-gazing anyway and won’t care. If you need a bare-belly laugh go watch Poo Chi: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a2DQC-ghio