Monday’s Pen to Paper: Sick and Tired
Two weeks ago I felt awesome. Now I feel like I’m 80 years old. I’ve been fighting vertigo, painful joints (maybe that has something to do with too many jammed fingers on the basketball court) and I’m just plain tired. Sometimes getting old sucks.
Do you ever have those days? Weeks?
WRITING PROMPT: Write about a time when you were sick or feeling down, then write about a time when you felt awesome.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Team
What does it take to be a part of a team? Weather it’s a sports team or a team of co-workers, it’s not always easy to find your way. For me it’s been an ongoing process. Every team I’ve been on is different and I have played a different role.
As a coach I continue to learn and grow and work to find ways to build strong teams and emphasise to players the importance of team. We spend time off the court getting to know one another, understand one another, and in turn hopefully believing in one anther and in the importance of team.
WRITING PROMPT – OPTION 1: Write about being part of a team. (it doesn’t have to be a sports team)
WRITING PROMPT – OPTION 2: Write about something you are proud of.
PeaceLoveBasketball Friday (on Monday): Team Takes Time
I had to hold back tears at our first practice last Monday. Our team was warmed up and ready to begin at 3:00pm sharp, and then during our first water break players got a quick drink and then grabbed a ball (some even partnered up) and spread around the gym to work on shooting. It was a beautiful sight.
After 3 years, we now have a core group of girls that understand what we expect from athletes in our program. The first two years, players fought against hard work and structure. Saturday practices? Were we crazy? Boring fundamentals? That’s no fun. Defensive slides until your quads burn? Never.
We had players pouting. Players quitting. Parents complaining.
Those first years were tough. But some players soaked it in. They learned over the seasons. Grew as players and human beings. So that by last season, my third year, we were a stronger team. Our two seniors, who were not our starters, were a huge part of our success. They worked hard and believed in the concept of team.
I know this season will be great, no matter our record, due to the powerful and positive vibe I see on the on the court and team pride I see in their eyes.
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Just Write
Take a moment to look at the photo and then let your pen fly…
WRITING PROMPT:
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: Laugh and Cry and Make Your Halloween Special.
My 17-year-old daughter asked me to help her get her creepy alien on this morning. Gotta love it! A special morning.
According to coach Jim Valvano, if I laugh, think and cry today, I’ll REALLY be on my way to having a special day.
If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day. That’s a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you’re going to have something special. -Jim Valvano
I’ve attached two basketball videos to help you on your way. One will make you laugh (especially if you’re a coach, though my nephews showed it to me a few years ago and they think it is hilarious) and one will make you cry. Now think a little and you’re on your way…
Monday’s Pen to Paper: Point of View
Last week in my Young Adult Fiction writing class, we talked about Point of View. We discussed the importance of keeping to a teen voice and having teen appropriate stakes. And then we looked at developing the setting, adding details and how to keep the action going, and the one thing that I noticed is that everybody does it differently. And that is what is great about writing. Yes, there are the basics, but each person makes the story their own. Usually, YA is written first-person (present or past tense) or third-person limited, but not always. And in our class we decided that whatever POV a writer chooses, they simply need to do it with purpose. With authority.
When I was writing my memoir, Back on the Court, I wrote the first draft in first-person present-tense. It felt right to me. (It took me […]
Follow Sonya