January Jump Start
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” Stephen King, On Writing
I don’t do New Years Resolutions, however in 2013 I have decided that I want to write more. As a high school basketball coach, between November and February, it’s hard to find time to write, but this January I am setting a writing goal to help increase my writing time. My “January Jump Start” will be 10 minutes of writing practice, to a writing prompt, everyday of January.
I will put myself to work practicing writing, just like I have the girls that I coach practice ball handling, or shooting, or defense, and then I know I will be one step closer to being a better writer (and finishing my new book).
If your are a writer, a blogger, or someone who simply enjoys the written word, on January 1st, I invite you to come with me on this writing journey and each day jump-start your writing with a writing prompt.
In January I will post the writing prompt that I use for my writing practice. If you want to join in, follow these simple steps. Grab something to write on (I use composition books), set your time, read the prompt (or look at the prompt photo) and write. Follow the first image that comes to mind into a story, or poetry, or a character or wherever your pen takes you. Some rules for writing practice from A Writer’s Book of Days by Judy Reeves are: keep writing (don’t edit or reread), trust your pen, don’t judge your writing, don’t worry about the rules and let go of expectations.
And as Natalie Goldberg says…just GO.
Write On!!!
There When It Matters
My new magazine article “There When It Matters: A once-a-week (maybe) practitioner reflects on yoga’s restorative powers” just hit the stands, and especially since basketball season arrived and I have been up to my ears in the craziness of the first few weeks of the season, the article is a good reminder to me to pull out my yoga mat and breathe.
EWU Book signing
EWU Book signing and Basketball Alumni Event with former teammate Kris
Teams and Friendship
“When all is said and done, it’s not the shots that won the championship that you remember, but the friendships you made along the way.” – unknown
I gave this quote to the high school girls interested in playing basketball this year. Not because I don’t think winning is important, it is the end goal when you are on the court, but it’s the time throughout the season, when players work and grow as a team, that really counts.
In college our team beat the University of Montana to win the conference championship where we advanced and played in the first round of the NCAA tournament. I can never remember what team we played, Oregon or Oregon State, because you know what? It doesn’t matter who we played. What does matter, are all the lessons I learned, and all the friendships I gained along the way. I have teammates that even after 20+ years have gone by, would have my back in any situation.
A former teammate was in my wedding, another, a massage therapist, helped bring me back to life after my body was broken in an accident years ago, and just last week, I road-tripped with an old teammate from that college championship team. We went to an Alumni basketball event and a book signing for my memoir, Back on the Court. And even though we have a history together, we hardly talked of the past, instead our years of bonding as teammates allowed us to enjoy one another on a deeper level, and to share our hopes and dreams for the future.
Being a part of a team is not always easy, but the rewards are priceless.
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: Searching For Something New
Our coaching staff thought it would be a good opportunity for our high school basketball team to see what happens at the next level, so we took them to a college practice this week.
It was a lot of fun for the girls to see the University of Washington basketball team practice, talk to the players and then to tour the DI locker room (things have changed since I played in the 80’s and the women’s team used the back storage room for pregame).
The day was even better for us coaches. We reminisced about “the good old days” and learned some new drills to keep our girls focused as we head into playoffs.
…always searching for something new.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Better Late Than Never
Sometimes it’s tough to keep up with life. This didn’t happen to me often before I had a family. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade the husband, the kids and the dogs for a less hectic life. (Well, at least not permanently.) And though they are usually what gets me behind schedule, I love being with them. Watching the kids play sports, perform in a recital. Watching the SuperBowl together (Go Seahawks!!!). Having lunch with my husband. Walking the dogs.
Getting behind on thing can be frustrating. For example, Monday’s Pen to Paper is about to happen on Tuesday, I have three thank you cards to write and send that have been on my “To Do” list for two weeks, and I am way behind on updating stats for the basketball team that I coach.
But if there is one thing I’ve learned after nearly loosing my life in an accident 20 […]
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday: T. E. A. M
The team I coach is down to five healthy Varsity players. You heard that right FIVE. Granted, you just need five players to play a game, but it leaves no room for foul trouble or getting tired – needing a break. And I haven’t even mentioned what it does to a practice schedule.
As a player, I like the idea of having a team of five. It means starting and playing the whole game. As a coach, it’s scary.
The good news is our players that swing from the Junior Varsity squad are getting the opportunity to have more varsity experience and our usual subs are starting and spending a lot more time on the court.
I am hoping to have our two injured starters back by playoffs, but in the mean time this experience is making the team stronger as the girls learn […]
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