by Sandy Kirby Quandt @SandyKQuandt

When my husband and I attended our first Grand Prix race, I discovered eleven lessons we writers can apply to our writing. 

• It pays to know the lay of the land before you set out

As this was our first time at the race we wandered a bit before finding a great seat on Turn 2. When writing it’s worth taking our time to study the writing craft, agents, editors, and publishing houses to make the most of our writing time. 

• Unless you want to be lapped and come in last, don’t tap your brakes before Turn 2

Every time a certain driver approached Turn 2 he slowed down before proceeding around the corner. We do that sometimes, don’t we? We’re not quite sure how to proceed. This writing life looks a little scary, so we back off the gas and slow down. If we expect to win the race God set before us, we shouldn’t back off when the going looks frightening. Or difficult. Especially when we’ve been around the same turn 33 times. Any other hands but mine raised at this? 

• Cautions are a time to clean the track

When the yellow flag came out, the track cleaning trucks took over. I’m sure there’s a specific name for these trucks, but I don’t know what it is. While we write there are times when junk gets spewed over our path that can do serious damage if we don’t stop and remove it. 

• Just because we were first yesterday doesn’t mean we’ll be first today

The driver who came in first on Saturday was the first driver to leave the race Sunday after his car broke down on lap two. The great things we accomplished yesterday are history. Today is the day we are given to keep doing the great things God planned for us. There’s no guarantee we’ll have a tomorrow. Do it today.

• Every driver needs a pit crew

Oh, yeah. This is extremely important. Can you imagine a Grand Prix where the driver has to hop out, put gasoline and new tires on his car before getting back on the track? We all need a support group. Not only a group who assist us physically with the flat tires of life and add gasoline when we’re running on fumes, but also a pit crew of prayer warriors.

• Even when you’re down 5 laps don’t give up

Our cautious driver who slowed down every time he came to Turn 2 never gave up. Because of that, my husband and I eagerly looked for him and found ourselves cheering him on the whole way. Don’t give up. Never ever give up. Keep fighting. Stay in the race until the checkered flag flies. Again, speaking to myself here.

• You’ve got to finish the race to win

Two of my favorite drivers both hit the wall and left the race. One was knocked out on the final lap. It doesn’t matter how many times you’re in the lead going around the track, you’ve got to finish the race to win. Need I say it? Yep…anyone else with their hand raised?

• Watch out for that pesky wall

As I mentioned earlier, my two favorite racers, except our driver from Turn 2 who came in last, hit the wall and didn’t finish the race. Watch out for those pesky walls that pop up and threaten to knock us out of the race. Keep our distance from the walls. Especially when others try to shove us into them.

• Everybody has a fan

At the end of the race each car and driver that passed the grand stands was greeted by cheering fans. Even when it may not seem like it we’ve got a fan. Our greatest fan, Jesus, claps and cheers us on every second of every day.

So, there you have it. Eleven writing lessons from my Grand Prix adventure.

I’d love to know what helps you stay on track in this race we call writing?

Sandy Kirby Quandt is a former elementary school educator and full-time writer with a passion for God, history, and travel; passions that often weave their way into her stories and articles. She has written numerous articles, devotions, and stories for adult and children publications. Her devotions appear in two Worthy Publishing compilation books; So God Made a Dog, and Let the Earth Rejoice. She has won several awards for writing including the 85th and 86th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition in the Young Adult category, First Place in the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Children’s Literature 2016 Foundation Awards, First Place in the 2017 Foundation Awards in the Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Flash Fiction categories. Looking for words of encouragement or gluten-free recipes? Then check out Sandy’s blog, Woven and Spun.