I Am Done with the Algorithm Too

When I read Kristin Mayer's April 14th blog post — I Am Done with the Algorithm — my first thought was "Exactly!" While her post was about the goals of her clothing brand, Betty Designs — I recognized what she was saying in terms of my book. The goal is to make people feel something. She went on to explain that she's not chasing likes or changing who she is to keep up with the algorithm. Amen! I don't want to chase it either.

Following the algorithm only makes you feel crazy and often drags you further away from your goal. I know. I lived it during the last five years of trying to get my novel Transitions out of my head and onto paper. I read countless books on writing a novel. Listened to podcasts over and over trying to find the secret sauce to telling a story. I couldn't write. Paralysis by analysis.

I fretted over how many words each scene had, the average sentence length, was I showing or telling. In the meantime, my story sat stagnant.

Early this spring I did a 40-day social media fast. Part of me hated the idea. Any social media momentum would be gone. A chunk of time with no posts, no talking about the book that wasn't even close to being finished.

And then it happened. With my nose not pressed to my phone, scrolling and scrolling, I had time. Time to sit in front of my computer and actually focus on my book. Scenes that were short — or more specifically didn't meet the ideal word count — were left as is. If a scene only needs 900 words to get to the point, why stretch it to 1500? There was freedom in that one small concession.

My extra time also allowed me to go back and look at the story as a whole. Certain scenes got moved to different places in the novel and it changed my whole perspective of what I could do as a writer.

Throughout the story I've worked to incorporate real races, real bikes, real gear. Two examples are my nod to Betty Designs, Kristin Mayer's company. Her kits were some of my early favorites, and I've featured them in the novel.

The first kit appears before Barb's Race 2015, Tara's first big race toward her ultimate goal.

I glanced down at the red and black swirl of my teal kit — the little skull-and-crossbones logo grinning up at me from atop a butterfly hidden amidst the curling design. Appropriate, I thought. Shiver me timbers.

Me and Hot Stuff

The second kit is what she chooses for IRONMAN® Vineman:

I took off my jacket and tossed it into the back seat of the truck. Pink helmet, matching shoes, kit that actually fit — for the first time in years I looked like I belonged on a bike. A "real" cyclist. The white sleeveless tri top with its chevron in mint green, bubblegum pink, dark pink, and black hugged me just right. The matching shorts felt compressive and breathable at the same time. I stood a little taller. I might be forty-five, but I didn't have to dress like it.

Barb's Race 2014

In real life I wore this kit at Barb's Race 2014. Tara saves hers for the IRONMAN® Vineman finish line. Kristin didn't only dress me, she dressed my characters. 

Her post closes with a promise of what to expect from Betty Designs moving forward — real athletes, real photography, and a brand voice that is unmistakably Betty.

That's exactly what I am trying to give people with this novel. A story based on real athletes, real races, and a narrative voice that is unmistakably Tara.

Stop scrolling. Go finish the thing.