Not Going it Alone ...

 

I don't watch much television, but both my husband and I enjoy shows on National Geographic about climbing Everest. He usually comments on the enormity of the feat and is astounded by the risk and courage and pure adventure these climbers exercise on their way to the top. I shake my head and marvel that, for the sake of a few minutes of human glory, these intrepid souls risk their very lives.

I’ve asked my husband, “Would you do it, if you could?” His usual response? “Maybe. But I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

I’m simultaneously glad to think he would consider such a thing, and relieved that he’s really not motivated to try. I mean, I like to think we both have adventurous hearts, and that we’d be mutually supportive should either of us choose to pursue such an endeavor (as if!). But where he looks at the mountain and sees the eventual glory and reward that would make it all worthwhile, I consider the toll it would take and realize there is no way he - or anyone - could do such a thing alone. I'd have to commit in some way.

Don't get me wrong. If he wanted to climb Mt. Everest (heck, if he wanted to climb the ladder and take down the neighbor's Christmas lights), I'd do whatever it took to help make it happen. Help him break it down into small, doable steps. That's my strength. I keep him moving forward; he keeps me looking up, remembering to consider the big picture. I’m guess you could say I'm his Sherpa when needed, and vice-versa.

Do you have a Sherpa in your writing life?  A spouse willing to encourage you regardless of the sacrifices? A writing partner who understands the costs and keeps you moving forward regardless? A critique group committed to helping one another get in condition? Maybe, if you're ready, you have an agent who believes in your talent and is moving along with you step by step.

If not, perhaps this should be the year you find someone to help keep your eye on either the big picture or the next small goal, depending. Someone to hold you up when your knees buckle in exhaustion. Someone to keep you thinking about the importance of your personal goals when you risk losing motivation because you realize there is a line of people before you waiting for their turn to stand on top of the world.

Or perhaps someone to give you perspective and help you see that you even if you’re not ready for Mt. Everest, there are plenty of other shorter mountains and hills which might make sense for you to attempt first.

When it gets tough; while you’re wrestling to find the best way to add layers to your novel, researching statistics for your nonfiction work, tightening your dialogue, adding depth to your characters, reorganizing your outline, developing a twister plotline, or double checking that you've made the strongest word choices,it might be helpful to remember that right now, someone is waiting their turn to approach the peak of Everest, potentially having just conquered Hillary’s Step, and ascending, step by grueling step, the last 100 feet to reach their long planned destination.

I can't begin to imagine what that must be like. But, unless I've missed something, I don't think anyone has ever done it solo. The first recorded climbers to reach the top, Sir Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (who, by the way, for years refused to reveal which of them stepped on the peak first), certainly didn't do it alone.

Writing may not be as difficult or life changing a feat as mountain climbing. But, it is still a difficult one which is often regarded as a solo endeavor. In the end, though, I think it's important to remember that it really doesn't have to be.

Just something to think about while the snow flies and the winds of winter howl about us.

Happy Climbing!

Sandra

Comments

[Janice Thompson]

Awesome, Sandra! And inspiring, too. I'm going to have a "Chip is my Sherpa" t-shirt made right away!

[Carla Gade]

Excellent advice. I've just discovered the value of team work to help me meet my writing goals. As writers, we are so used to flying solo it's not an easy thing to connect this way, but so worth it. Love your Sherpa example. Finding one or a team of them is a worthwhile goal for the new year.

[AimeeLS]

Ha! I like Janice's T-shirt idea.

I for one am blessed with an incredibly devoted and talented critique group. But your post has inspired me to look for that personal encouragement / accountability / reality check influence aswell.

Thanks!

[Sheila Deeth]

Nice advice, and well worth thinking about as my task for this year. Thanks.

[Iapetus999]

Hey, want to be my Sherpa?

I attempted a climb of Mt. Rainier once (14,400 ft). I made it to 11K and I got altitude sickness. But there are tons of materials out there about mountain climbing. That year I started small...1000ft climb at first, and then over 6 months I built it up until I could do 5000 foot climbs (with a weighted backpack BTW). So the 9K foot climb in two legs didn't seem that hard (you start at Paradise which is already 5K up). But alas, I didn't summit...but I made it up 11K further than I ever had before that year.

But seriously...I could use a sherpa! Anyone interested?

[Karen Robbins]

Actually a little over three years ago, Chip put together some Barnabas groups at the Writers View and six of us in my group have been giving daily encouragement to each other ever since. We even liked each other enough to do a book together--all online. We've never all met together in person. But the support received keeps me keeping on. Good post, Sandra!

[Sharon A Lavy]

Inspirational post. Thanks Sandra.

[Robbie Iobst]

Sandra, this is a wonderful post! I've watched a couple of those PBS Everest shows and when they're over I always feel cold and exhausted. :0) And amazed! I am so blessed to have a few Sherpas in my life including my husband, some fellow writers and an encouraging agent. :0) Just the other day I was talking to a fellow writer and we used the mountain climbing analogy in our conversation. I feel I'm at Camp One on Everest. :0) I've started the journey but I've got a long way to go. What a blessing to take every steep step encouraged by others. Thank you!

[Carla Stewart]

Not sure why, but when I read this I thought of the quote: "It's not the destination, but the journey that counts." I'd like to think that when we reach the summit, it will be the ones who've shared the toil and filled our backpacks with power bars of encouragement who will bring us the warmest memories and share the glory. No matter what is said about writing, it's not a solitary pursuit.

Love your perspectives, Sandra.

[Boyd Sutton]

Great post, Sandra, but allow me to take your analogy and give it a slightly different interpretation. You say that the climbers seek the glory of achieving the summit. I'm sure that's so for many. But most of the climbers I've known or read about do it for the personal, inner challenge, not the public glory. We writers are a lot like that. When asked why we write, most respond, "Because I can't not write." Sure, some seek the public glory of publication. Who wouldn't want to be a famously successful author? But for most writers, that's secondary. It's the inner need to write and satisfaction of achievement, not the public glory.

[Henya]

Wonderful, Sandra.
Your analogy of what it takes to be a writer is like drinking a cool glass of water when thirsty. Climbing has its many faces, and who is to say which is more difficult? We might not be able to exert the same physical prowess as does a climber. Could they ask of us the same thing? Could a climber wrestle day after day with words and make them come together brilliantly?

Good post.

[Jim Rubart]

Excellent analogy, Sandra.

Without question my wife, Darci is my Uber-Sherpa. I see comments on the net every now and then about spouses who aren't exactly supportive of the the author's quest and I realize I there's no way I could have gotten ROOMS published without Darci.

A Sherpa is essential.

[Sgchris]

Got this in my email and it was exactly what I needed to see today. Spoke to me in Many ways. And I had to do a blog post on it - I hope you don't mind? I did reference and link to here.

http://sgchris.livejournal.com/19555.html

http://bemusedwriter.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-need-sherpa-people.html

And interesting comments. Since I do relate to the one about 'can't not write' and think I recognize that type of 'sherpa's clothing' all too well. ;}

Thanks so much for this post and comments.

[Jodie]

Well put! I can't imagine doing this without my husband (who doesn't always understand the weirdness of writing, but supports it nonetheless) and my awesome, amazing crit group. And my sherpa, who managed to talk me out of killing ALL of my characters before the end of the book... :-)

[Laura Droege]

I like the writers-needing-Sherpas idea, Sandra. I imagine you are a terrific "sherpa" to your clients!

[patriciazell]

My sherpas are the people I connect with through my online social media outlets. I participate on blogs and read through the comments of other people involved in writing and publishing. Believe me, I have received a lot of help and encouragement through the time I spend online with others.

[Sandra Bishop]

Seems this resonated with a lot of folks. Glad to know my perceptions are inspiring. Thanks for the feedback.

While we're all freezing our fingers off, I thought you'd all like to know Chip and his wife are basking in 80 degree weather in Kauai this very moment. He keeps calling me bragging how PERFECT the weather is.

I've stopped taking his calls.

Sandra

[chip responds]

The weather IS perfect, Sandra. It was about 80 today, without a cloud in a sky. Gorgeous. We went zip-lining and hiking, then ended the day swimming in the Pacific Ocean.

[Genny]

I love this post (and I love that Everest show too; I've watched every episode--probably because I'm so fascinated that people actually do that).

I think it is such a great point to have a Sherpa in your writing life. I recently opened an old writing journal and saw a note from the friend who'd given it to me... "To a future author... your time will come." Encouragement and support has made such a difference in my writing journey.