Unless you're both a self-published author and a distance runner you probably wouldn't think that these two very different vocations have too much in common. In many ways they don't, but there are some similarities in the way they can both be approached. I've become aware of this as I've dragged myself around numerous half-marathon events over the last few years. When you take as long as I do to complete any kind of distance race, you have plenty of time to think!

I've been writing seriously for many years but I've always shied away from trying to sell myself to an agent or publisher. My philosophy is that eventually my work will sell itself if I make it available in the right places, and why should my success depend on what a single editor or agent thinks? The only important measure as far as I'm concerned is feedback from my audience - the people who read my books because they want to, not because I've asked them to. And that, perhaps, is the main reason why I decided to self-publish.

As soon as I'd made that decision my mind immediately began to fill with grand plans and ideas for world bestseller list domination. Like most people taking this increasingly popular route, however, I quickly found out that finding success is immeasurably harder than it looks. And this is where the comparisons with running began to come in…

I didn't train anywhere near enough for my first half-marathon. I hadn't even run the full distance before race day. I was counting on adrenaline, excitement and my natural ability (for what that was worth) to see me through. And it did - for the first few miles, anyway. But I went off far too quickly and by the time I reached the halfway stage I was in agony, and that agony increased mile on mile until the race was done. As soon as I had crossed the finish line, however, the pain and effort rapidly disappeared to be replaced by altogether more pleasant feelings - euphoria at having finished, relief, and satisfaction.

So what did I learn? Nothing at first, because I ran another half-marathon six months later and did exactly the same thing again - under-prepared, overdid it and just about managed to finish. But now things are different, and the lessons I've learnt through running have also helped me keep my writing career on track.

1. FAIL TO PREPARE - PREPARE TO FAIL
In running you have to train, and with writing and self-publishing preparation is also key to finding success. Research the market, your audience, the rest of the field etc. and know what you're dealing with. Don't underestimate the size of the task ahead of you.

2. CAN YOU GO ALL THE WAY?
There's no point entering a race if you're not sure you can finish, and there's no point trying to publicise a book that isn't complete. Be completely satisfied with your work and proud of it before you thrust it into the limelight.

3. IT'S ALL ABOUT PACE
Self-publishing is the writing equivalent of a marathon or half-marathon, not a hundred-meter sprint. Don't expect to get immediate results. To succeed you'll need to put in sustained and continual effort, and you'll last longest if you pace yourself. Don't go off at your fastest speed because you probably won't make the distance! Consider the benefits of gradually making your name and earning a reputation rather than trying to make the front page of the newspapers on day one.

4. SET TARGETS
Be realistic - unless you're a dedicated and naturally gifted athlete you're probably not going to win the first distance race you enter and, by the same token, chances are you're not going to achieve bestseller status with your first self-published release. As I've already said, success takes time and effort, and it's easier to keep on track if you set yourself some intermediate targets. In a race this might be reaching half-distance or even each mile marker within a certain time, and in writing your targets could be completion of your book, finding the right POD publisher, making your first forays into the media etc.

5. GO THE DISTANCE
It's all too easy to be put off by looking at the huge hill you might still have to climb to achieve the success you desire. It's sometimes easier, and it's often motivating and inspiring, to look back at what you have achieved rather than dwell on what's left to do. Psychologically I find thinking 'I've run 10 miles already' much easier to deal with than 'Oh no, another 3 miles to go!' I haven't yet had the success with my books that I know I'm capable of, but when I look back at how far I've come I'm certain that I can do it.

6. DON'T FORGET THE FINISH LINE!
Don't lose sight of your overall aim. It's all too easy to be put off by obstacles or other barriers. Keep sight of your reasons for doing what you do - whether it's finishing a race or publishing your book - have a goal and hold onto it.

So where am I? Well, if I liken my writing career to a half-marathon race, I'd say I'm about halfway. I've had some successes and some failures, but I think that I've finally got my pacing right. I've still got a lot to do, but I know I've got enough energy to finish the job.

And what about my running? Well I'm not going to pretend I've got much faster because I haven't. I'm not about to start setting any records, but I am getting better at running long distance races. I don't seem to cross the finish line any quicker, but I always manage to get to the end and it doesn't take as much effort to get there…

First published in Write Today ezine September 2002.