"Longer Boats Are Faster"

Recently I read an on-line article called LONGER BOATS ARE FASTER, by Terry Laughlin, a swimming coach. Laughlin talked about a naval architect who tested various vessel shapes to find out the one that would go the fastest. The architect discovered the fastest boat was longer aat the waterline.

Laughlin  went on to discuss how this applied to swimmers. Swimmers should not try to increase muscle size. That does not produce speed. swimmers need to keep their bodies as long as possible  in the water.

I am planning to use his suggestions for improving my own swimming strokes.
Compettive swimmers  spend much of their time doing drills specific to freestyle, backstroke, etc. Fitness swimmers can do the same.

And I am extending my reach into my writing by thinking outside the box.  This means writing for children, writing magazine articles for adults, and providing good content for this blog.

Swimming: The Cure for Writer's Block

Have writer’s block? Go swimming. Why? Because exercise is good for you. It will get you out of the house. Ideally you will feel refreshed and ready to return to your computer.

I have always loved swimming. Before my shoulder objected I belonged to a Masters Swim  Program at my local YMCA. On one occasion I participated in a fundraising swim in the Chesapeake Bay. Of course I still swim at my local pool in the summer.  I plan to use swimming as a reward after I get my daily quota of writing done.

Personal discipline is another important ingredient. When I retired I used my time to enroll in some writing contests and to apply for a grant through SCBWI (Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators.  I also took an online course on preparing a book proposal, which was very helpful.