Write2Ignite

Axe Throwing

Have you ever participated in axe throwing? I have. Multiple times, and I love it. There’s even a World Axe Throwing League. Who knew?

Hurling axes at a wooden target and scoring multiple bull’s eyes, what’s not to love? Of course, there are just as many, if not more, times the axe thuds against the target and drops unceremoniously to the ground.

The first time I experienced axe throwing, there were groups of all ages and all levels of abilities. Some of us were newbies and it showed. Others, like the bearded, Viking-hair-shaved kilt wearer who brought his personal bag of axes, were obvious pros.

The most recent time I threw axes at targets was this past September. It’d been years since I last threw an axe, and it definitely showed. Not one bull’s eye in the bunch.

Lessons for Writers From Axe Throwing

As I threw axes at targets, I realized there are lessons writers can learn from axe throwing.

• In axe throwing, if we’re going to hit the target we have to get in the game, grab an axe, step up to the line, and throw the axe toward the target in front of us. As writers, if we want our words to hit the target and find an audience, we need to get in the game, step up to the line, and put our words on the page.
• If we hurl an axe toward the target and it doesn’t stick the first, second, or even third time, then we pick the axe off the floor and throw it again. If our first attempts to hit the publishing target bounce off the wall and land with a solid thud to the ground for all the world to hear, then we pick up that manuscript and send it back into the publishing world again. And again. And again.
• Just because our axe hits a bull’s eye once doesn’t mean we’ll score another bull’s eye on the next go round. Even so, we keep trying. We may score an acceptance with one manuscript then miss with the next one we pitch. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that we keep trying.
• When we throw the axe and it doesn’t score a bull’s eye, we don’t discount the 1s, 2s, and 3s we have scored. All points big and small add up for the grand total. They don’t have to all be bull’s eyes, you know. Each step forward in our writing journey is important no matter how small we may feel it is. We don’t dismiss those which might seem insignificant in comparison to our overall goal.
• The sharpness of the axe blade is one thing that definitely matters. A dull blade will not penetrate the target, no matter how accurately or how hard it is thrown. Trust me. I know this first hand. I believe that’s why the Viking axe thrower previously mentioned brought his own axes. Smart man. In writing, if publishing is our goal, we need to keep current with what is going on in the publishing world. If we expect our writing to be used effectively and land on the mark, we need to keep our writing skills honed and sharpened. Whether we weave words of fiction or nonfiction.
• If we step away from axe throwing and don’t practice for any length of time, it will show. Our throws won’t be accurate. Our aim will be off. The same intensity we hit the target with earlier will be lacking. The axe will wobble and refuse to land where we intend for it to land. If we step away from our writing, don’t practice, don’t pursue the craft, it will show. Our stories and articles will be off. The passion and intensity we once felt for our projects will be missing. Our lackadaisical efforts will be feeble. They will produce little.
• During my latest axe throwing adventure, there was one young teen among our group who, although he hit multiple bullseyes, didn’t seem to enjoy himself. No matter how much he was cheered on by his parents. That got me thinking. Perhaps, when we as writers lose our joy in the process of writing and all it entails, we should put down our axe, reassess our purpose and reason for being on the axe throwing line in the first place, and make whatever hard choices we need to make before we pick up our axe and step to the line again.

Your Turn

What matters in both axe throwing and writing is a willingness to get in the game, grab that axe, step up to the line, and give it our best shot. Over and over and over again. Always remembering to keep our tools sharp for maximum impact. And if necessary, we reassess our reasons for picking up the axe to begin with.

As we begin a new year, are there any areas in your writing that need sharpened? Any projects that need reevaluated and either improved, or sidelined?

Interested in reading more writing advice? How about this post by Kyle R. Morgan? Or this earlier post I wrote about the Art of Plotting.

I wish you well,

Sandy

Here’s what you can expect from me. In my posts, you’ll find words of encouragement for writers, book reviews, and discussions on the craft of writing. I am a former elementary school teacher, regular contributor to Guideposts devotional books, and a conference speaker. I write articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children’s publications. You can find me every Tuesday and Thursday at www.sandykirbyquandt.com. Please stop by.