Monday’s Pen to Paper
I was on fire with my writing during my January Jump Start. (And it was even the middle of basketball season.) I wrote every day. Since then I’ve been in a bit of a dry spell. Fortunately, I have inspiration all around me to keep me going.
Jenny, my Thursday writing friend, a new book I snagged at the library. “Is life Like This? A Guide to Writing Your First Novel in Six Months” by John Dufresne and my daughter, who is so often curled up on the couch with her writing journal tucked into her hip, scribbling away.
Today’s writing propt: What inspires you?
Back on the Court Book Trailer
Thank you Michael Harris and M.J McDermott, at Baby Wild Films, for the beautiful book trailer.
“Back on the Court” by Sonya G. Elliott
Struck by a train just days before her wedding, Sonya Elliott, an athlete and fashion model, miraculously survives. “Back on the Court” is Sonya’s incredible story of recovery. As she fights her way through grief, debilitating injuries and heartbreak, she reignites her passion for basketball, and ultimately for life itself. This heart-felt memoir brings insight to the grief process, is a captivating love story, and has an inspiring impact that will last a lifetime.
Letting go of fear
There is something frightening about putting myself out there as a writer. I’ve published a book and a magazine article, attended many classes and conferences, spent hours writing, but I don’t always think of myself as a writer, promote myself as a writer. Why is that?
Maybe it’s because the event that jump-started my writing, and my first book, Back on the Court, took the life of someone I love. I wrote my memoir to share my journey of grief and recovery and during that process I fell in love with the written word. But finding success in the wake of such tragedy is bitter sweet.
As a college athlete I pushed my body and mind to the limits in practice so that by the time I hit the court I had no fear. I was nervous and excited, but not afraid. Once again, I am taking from my experience as an athlete. I am practicing writing, letting go of the fear and continuing to share my story.
Coming soon…my new Back on the Court book trailer.
Meet Sonya
Meet Sonya
Sonya Elliott’s memoir, Back on the Court: A Young Woman’s Triumphant Return to Life, Love & Basketball, is her story of finding hope in the wake of tragedy after she and her fiancé were hit by a train. She blogs about writing, basketball, and life and is currently working on a Young Adult Novel and a Non-Fiction Coaching book. Stories of her career as a fashion model are woven through her memoir, as both the Soloflex and Easy Spirit Shoes commercials were filmed during that time period, and this unique and intriguing business continues to be a part of her life.
Sonya played basketball at Eastern Washington University and was a starter for the Big Sky Champion team that went to the 1987 NCAA tournament. She coached for almost 25 years and was voted Seattle Times Coach of the Year, Seattle Officials Women’s Basketball Association Coach of the Year, and twice voted Metro League Coach of the Year. She loves the game of basketball and is thankful, not only for her husband and kids but for her ability to continue to get back on the court.
Blog
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: TEAM
When I saw this YouTube video recently, that focused on team, I made my kids come snuggle with me on the couch and watch it, I sent it to the basketball team that I coach, and I said, “this will be in my Friday blog.” It is a great video about the importance of team, which includes clips of some pretty spectacular ball movement…team basketball.
Watch and enjoy…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Pressure
I finished writing two chapters in three days. It helped to have a little pressure, a deadline.
I’m taking a Young Adult writing class right now and I owed my small group ten pages and the entire group ten pages by midnight on Sunday. During last Thursday’s class, I had someone volunteer to take my spot, someone with a more polished manuscript. I was tempted but declined the offer. I knew this was the perfect opportunity for me to get to work. I don’t write in a linear fashion so pulling together my haphazard array of scenes and dialogue into something cohesive is a bit of a challenge.
Sometimes all it takes is a little pressure. Set deadlines for yourself and your writing.
WRITING PROMPT: Bella had an end-of-the-year project due at 8:00am in the morning, at 11:00 o’clock the night before she…
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: Summer Shooting Challenge
When I was a Sophomore in high school I averaged 3 points per game. The next year I was one of the leading scores in the Greater Spokane League. What changed? I worked on my shot. Download a free PLB Shooting Challenge Goal Sheet & Shot Chart and watch your shot improve this summer. (Coaches and parents suggest it to your players & kids)
Print the PeaceLoveBasketball Summer Shooting Challenge form below and get started:
Summer Shooting Challenge worksheet
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