Some Advice
Or Read, Read and Read Some More
Welcome to the latest C’mon Now newsletter. This is the place where I’ll share my thoughts on all the goings-on in MMA. Those thoughts could range from media criticism to advice for folks looking to get into MMA writing to why certain fighters or managers are not good for the sport.
Today I offer some advice
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If I could offer a piece of advice to aspiring writers - whether they be MMA folks or otherwise — it would be to read outside of what they focus on.
It’s rare that I’ll read an MMA related story for pleasure these days. Today I read Shaheen Al-Shatti’s profile on Jonathan Brookins at The Athletic for pleasure. There were two reasons for this. One is that Al-Shatti is one of the best in the business these days and two, Brookins has always been someone who has interested me. He is not your typical MMA fighter or athlete. He has always come across as a deep-thinker and someone who wants more out of life than athletics. Perhaps he doesn’t know exactly what he wants, but that search makes him intriguing. Al-Shatti did a wonderful job of capturing a moment in time with Brookins. I recommend reading the story.
Anyway…back to my point. I do still read a lot of MMA stuff, but it’s mostly for work, which is a far different thing than reading for pleasure.
I have a stack of books next to my chair I try to work through for a few hours each morning. That reading gets my brain working and also provide me with a lot of ideas for my writing. None of these books and magazines are related to sports. Some are fiction, some are non fiction, some are collections of essays..well, you get the idea.
For me, reading outside of sports provides so much. A writer who doesn’t read won’t grow and a writer who doesn’t read outside of their focus won’t grow as much as someone with varied interests. I could be wrong, but I don’t believe I am.
So, my advice? Read as much as you can and keep a notebook beside you and jot notes down on content and style as well as any ideas you may come up with during that time. Also, revisit those notes from time to time and cross out what you used and maybe move the ideas to a spot where you can track them and maybe work on them later.
This all may sound simple and old, but it’s essential for growth and idea generation. Don’t stagnate, always look to learn and grow. If you don’t do that, rest assured someone else is.