Today I welcome Luke Murphy, retired hockey player turned published author. I wanted to know what the difference was between hockey and writing and his answer was a bit surprising.
As a child, I never
dreamed of writing a best-seller, never aspired to write the next classic
novel, I wanted to be an NHL superstar…period.
With the death of my
mother in 1992, losing a battle to cancer, I sensed it was time to get serious
about reaching my dreams, and moved away to pursue hockey.
From 1992-1995 I noticed
a shift in the game of hockey and realized that the odds of making it to the
NHL were unfavorable for a kid who stood 5’9’’ and weighed 160 pounds. So, my
goals shifted. I accepted a hockey scholarship to Rochester Institute of
Technology.
In the winter of 2000,
after sustaining a season ending eye injury while playing in Oklahoma City, I
found myself with a lot of time on my hands, and a new hobby emerged. From a family of avid readers, even as a
child, I always had a passion for books.
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One day, with an idea in
mind, I sat down in front of a computer and began writing. I wrote a little
every day, around my intense rehabilitation schedule and before I knew it, I
had completed my first manuscript.
I didn't write with the
intention of being published. I wrote for the love of writing, as a hobby. I
continued to “hobby” write through the years, honing my craft, making time
between work and family obligations.
Then I made a decision –
I enjoyed writing so much, I decided I wanted to take my interest one step
further – write a story with the intention of being published.
I've never been one to
take things lightly or jump in half way. I took a full year off from writing to
study the craft. I constantly read, from novels in my favorite genres to books
written by experts in the writing field. I continually researched on the
internet, reading up on the industry and process. I attended writing
conferences and made friends (published and unpublished authors), bombarding
them with questions and learning what it took to become successful.
Feeling that I was
finally prepared, in the winter of 2007, with an idea in mind and an outline on
paper, I started to write DEAD MAN`S HAND. It took me two years (working around
full time jobs) to complete the first draft of my novel.
I then worked with
editors and joined a critique group, doing anything I could to learn, to
improve my writing and my novel to point where I could create the best possible
novel.
I sent out hundreds of
query letters to agents. After months of rejections, I pulled my manuscript
back and worked on it again. Then in my next round of proposals, I was offered
representation by Ms. Jennifer Lyons of the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency.
After months of work
with Jennifer, my dream was finally realized in April, 2012, when I signed a
publishing contract with Imajin Books.
So, exactly how smooth
was my transition from playing hockey to writing books?
Many people might not
see a connection between writing and hockey, but there are many similarities in
not only your preparation, but “musts” once you’re there.
In both hockey and
writing, you need three things: patience, persistence and thick skin.
For
both, it takes hard work and practice. There are many critics, and you need to
be able to take criticism with a grain of salt. In order to find success, in
both you need to be persistent and confident. It’s all about taking a chance, putting yourself
out there to be evaluated by your peers. That’s the scariest part.
My one piece of advice
for all aspiring hockey players and writers…you’ll get a lot of “no’s” along
the way and people trying to bring you down. But remember, it only takes one
“yes”.
Posts
In writing, don't fall so in love with your characters that you can't erase or delete them before your novel is completed. 
