This weekend, my husband is running his third marathon. I know. I do three miles and consider myself a rockstar, but it’s all relative, I guess. Anyway, it got me thinking about his FIRST one, way back in 2004, which was also in November. I was writing Just Listen at the time and REALLY struggling, and seeing all these runners put themselves to the ultimate test was a huge inspiration to me, just when I really needed it.
I also know a lot of people are doing Nanowrimo right now. I have not ever done it myself, but I always love this month of people writing novels, because I know it’s not just me banging my head against the wall (or keyboard, or whatever) at least for a few weeks. Comfort in numbers, and all that. Anyway, I figured I’d go back to my old blog over at Livejournal and find the entry I wrote, way back then. If you’re stuck, or struggling, maybe it will help. Also helpful, just so you know: chocolate and therapy. Works for me!
Okay, here it is. Remember it’s a few years old, hence the dated pop culture references. Also: yes, I watched Starting Over and LOVED it. Truth!
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I try not to write too much about my husband here, other than the occasional random comment or remark. Mostly this is because he is a private person, and would never have an online journal (he doesn’t even read this one, actually) and I try to respect that. When people ask about him, as they inevitably do now and then, I just say that he isn’t like me, has no desire to tell the world about his addiction to Starting Over or the O.C. or his shopping problems or whatever.
But. Every now and then, I feel it’s okay to tell you something, as I do today, and that is this: this weekend, in Richmond, VA, my husband ran his very first marathon. He’s been training for over a year, and he really just wanted to finish, preferably under four hours. He came in at 3:50:24. It was so freaking exciting I can’t even tell you. And the best part was that I got to be there.
My job, during the marathon, was to function as both cheerleader (which meant standing at various points along the race, jumping up and down with this little clacker thing they gave me, which was very loud, clackety-clackety-clack, much better than clapping constantly) and supplier (which meant handing off bananas, water, etc, as he passed by at various mileposts). When we were planning all this, I figured I was all set: I had directions from the marathon organizers to three different mile marker places, complete with parking instructions. No problem. Yeah, right.
I am the first to admit I am navigationally challenged. I can get lost on my own street. But: these directions were NOT very good. I think maybe they were for people who, I don’t know, live in Richmond, and therefore could figure out that when they said to take a certain Parkway going East, but only North and South were actually available, which way to go. I found myself driving around Richmond for four straight hours, racing from one place to another, dodging fender benders, pedestrians, and blocked off streets. It was like extreme navigation. (And, irony of ironies, my own nav system was of no use, because so many roads were closed. Of course!) Plus, I was by myself, so I had no one to turn to and say, “Oh, $%#@&*! This can’t be the right road, can it?” Instead, it was just me, alternately cursing and on the verge of tears, tearing around a city I didn’t know. Clackety-clackety-clack.
It WAS great to see the marathon, though. I missed my husband at the first stop (&^%$#!) due to traffic, but caught him at the second, if just barely. (I also dropped one of his water bottles in the road, and it got run over, oops.) By the third, I’d wised up and realized that trying to go to where everyone ELSE was waiting for the runners was making things so much more difficult, so instead I just parked in this vacant lot, jumped a guardrail, and walked across the road to stand by myself and wait. So there I was, right before this big bridge and mile twenty, in the whipping cold, with my clacker (clackety clackety!), a one-girl cheering section. At the first couple of stops, people had seemed in good spirits. By now, you could see it was getting harder. Not so many smiles, plus it was freezing, and they were about to go over this long, cold bridge where the wind was going to be even stronger.
Standing there, waiting for my husband, I kept watching all these people go by, and I was clapping and clacking and trying to cheer them on, but feeling like it was slightly pathetic, since it was just me, and I couldn’t make all that much noise. But then I really started to think about it. I mean, I’ve never run a marathon (I don’t think I’ve ever run one mile, much less 26.2) but I have had times in my life when I’ve been facing something really hard that I’m not sure I can do. Like, I don’t know, writing a book on a deadline with a movie coming out and more pressure than I’ve ever felt in my life? And at that time, or times like that, just having one person believe in me maybe a little bit more than I did in myself at that moment often made all the difference in the world. So as I thought this, I started cheering louder. Alone, in the cold, on an overpass. “Keep it up!” I yelled, “You’re looking good, keep going!” A couple of people smiled and waved, so I kept going, shouting out everything I always wish I could hear when I’m up here in front of the screen, struggling: “You can do it, don’t quit!” “Great job!” I was making a total spectacle of myself, but people seemed to be responding, so I kept at it, jumping up and down, yelling. “Keep the faith!” I yelled, and just then, this man who was struggling past looked at me and said, “Thank you.” And then he kept going, up up up to the bridge. And I forgot, temporarily, about all the traffic crap and the cold and the frustrations of the day and just cheered for him even more. It was a nice moment. Clackety-clack.
The finish line was the best. Seeing all those people crossing, some smiling, some crying, overcome with emotion….it was really great. Wouldn’t it be great if, whenever you completed some big goal, you had a crowd of people there at that exact moment, cheering wildly? You can’t beat it. You really can’t.
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You know what? It’s all still true, too. Even as I sit here today, working on book ELEVEN, and watch the blinking cursor, feeling slightly panicked. Keep the faith. You can do it. Clackety-clack.
Have a good day everyone!
I am doing Nano for the second time this year. And am so stuck right now. I was actually thinking about bagging the whole thing because of the vast amounts of suckage I’ve spent hours writing this past week. But now. . . I don’t think I will. Thank you.
)) One more reason I’m a Dessen fangirl.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this repost of a truly inspiring message. I’m actually doing NaNoWriMo in order to complete a third installment of my YA trilogy for which the second book isn’t finished. Crazy, right? My incentive is to complete a sloppy edition of book three to push me into finishing book 2. Writing is definitely a marathon and I’m in the race to the end. Clackety Clack!
Well i just wanted to say i enjoyed sarah dessen’s books and i hope they become movie someday soon. i go crazy when i see her books. is it hard to write these types of books
Hia
I’ve just started uni (chiro course) – had my first exam today :/ It was hard and even though I’d done masses of work I STILL didn’t understand a fair bit of it… But hopefully, one day, I’ll get there 
Thanks for posting this, its helped me
I am trying to write a novel, but as you can imagine it’s sorta sitting on the back burner at the moment. One day I will finish it.
On another, very important note, thank you. Thank you for all those wonderful books. They really do inspire me and make me think. They’re not your average trashy teen novel (you know, where the girls scream because they have a spot and their crush doesn’t like them) they have so much depth and feeling. I love the subtle romances that happen, girl meets boy, they become friends and then they get together because that is the most organic way to fall in love and I love that your characters do that
Basically I love your books, I love their messages and I love their style. I think my favourite has to be Just Listen. It was the first one I ever read and at the time, I too had something to hide which was upsetting and bugging me (although not to the same extremes as poor Annabelle). I later gave it to a friend who has depression and she too loved it and got a lot out of it too.
So thank you. For inspiring me everyday
xx
It’s funny that you made the comparison. I was telling my husband, the ex marathon runner, how I could never run one. My biggest challenge will be to finish to my first novel. NaNo was my excuse to get this project done. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
This entry/the old one made me tear up! It was a good one! Wonderful!
Hi, im only 12 years old (turning 13 December 27th) and I have read every one of your books. Everyone else who has commented are all older, and IIm okay with being the only kid commenting. I like being different. I see things differently then most people do, and that has inspired me to write my own book. I am having a little trouble seeing that I want my book to be somewhat as good as yours. Every time I start one and get to chapter 2 or 3 i just end up hitting the backspace watching all my words leaving the page forever. I dont know how to start but I am trying. I will not give up because u have inspired me in all of your novels to keep going. When ever I start typing up a book I want to make it somewhat related to me, a way of saying what is really on my mind and how im feeling even though if will be comming from a made up character. Thats what scares me most though. Im not one to tell my feeling to people, actually i have spent my whole life hiding how im really feeling. So i get really scared my mom or someone in my family will find it and think somethings wrong with me, or that I need help. Which I don’t, I just have different emotions and feelings then other 12 year olds in great 8.
I must say, all of your books have really helped me with certain issues happening in my own life, but at the same time it makes me sad. It makes me sad because I know, that stuff that happens in these books will never happen to me. Things extrodinary just don’t happen in my life. I wish they did, but they don’t. I guess that is what makes them wishes right?
Thank you Sarah. With out you I would probably be in a very different state of mind right now, I really promote you writing your 11th book. I need to lose myself in another one of your books. Escaping from my life even if it is just a moment. With each turn of a page you make me become a stronger, better person.
I love you, keep writing please.
Hi Emily!
I don’t know if you’ll ever see this, but I have to say someting. First of all, extraordinary things DO happen, and we have to believe that. There is friendship and love and even if life seems dark at 12 or, in my case, 24, good things will happen at some point. And we can make them happen.
Also, keep on writing. You have a voice. If you can’t talk about your feelings – the more reason to put them into writing. But don’t strive for perfection. Or do, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Just keep trying. Make mistakes. Write something really silly and over the top. You’re allowed to. Especially when you’re just starting out. You’ll get there. It will be OK.
Lots of support,
Maria
Hi Emily
lol and I think you should definitively (not sure if that spelled correctly) keep writing, I know its hard at first but it’ll get better with experience you should write something out thats not perfect but as you finish that book maybe the next will be better remember sarah dessen wrote various books before being able to write the awesome master pieces she does today 
and that stuff about losing yourself in books and escaping life is the reason I read. Its actually the reason why most women read and I completely love that about books, and I think you should let your mom read your books because if theres one thing that I have learned is that your mom loves you and will try to help you get better at what ever your goals are and wont judge you incorrectly 
(btw Im horrible at writing myself, I have written before just not very good at it lol so dont mind my multiple ands in this post ) and extraordinary things do happen, thats probably the main reason I wake up in the morning believing that maybe one day my life will be like the stories I read. I sincerely wish you the best and now when you finish writing that book it will be truly awesome. Best of Luck
Im 13 and what you just said described what I have felt for a long time!
Sincerely,
Karen
Great post Sarah! Then and just as relevant now.
I had a friend who just completed her first marathon and she was so excited (as was I!), and I can just imagine what your cheering did for those who heard you as you’ve described. So many people congratulated her as we walked for coffee after, and just being a friend of a marathon runner and hearing their comments made me so happy for her.
And inspiring too for those of us working on that manuscript.
Thanks! I was just feeling a little depleted, trolling the internet before giving up, but I just might squeeze in some more work now.
This is kind of random to your post, but do you still enjoy writing books? It’s obvious that’s it’s very difficult a lot of the time because of writer’s block but are you tired of it at all? Like is it still fun or just your job? I want to have a side career an author and then later on evolve into a full-time writer, but I don’t want to do it if it becomes a hassle and I can’t enjoy it anymore. Please, Mrs. Dessen, read this comment.
Thank you.
Hi, I’m 12 years old. So Emily and I are kind of alike.
You’ve truly inspired me with yor wisdom and the heartfelt writing in your books. I have started writing one.. And I’m almost done. 234 pages and counting. I get inspired mainly from my restaurant lifestyle. My parents work in the business, and when I visit them there, I can’t help but over hear people talking, which inspire me even more. Also, by reading your books, I’ve also been inspired. Your are truly my role model. I know people say that all the time and all, but I really do mean it. Thank you!!
Love sent,
Jacqueline M. C.
Thank you Maria, I will take what you said into confederation (:
Hey Jackie, I envy you right now. You have written 234 pages AND COUNTING. I just have one question, do you let others read your book? Do you ever try to hide it or is it something you are truly proud of and don’t mind if family or friends see it? When you are done your book I would love to read it, maybe comment on here or send it to my email? tictac_soccerchick@hotmail.com. I would really like to read it, who knows maybe instead of just Sarah Dessen and my life inspiring me, maybe you will to. Bye, and thank you.
Hi Emily!
I just turned 14, so I am kind of young too. I just finished a book called “The Little Things.” Could I email you my book too? It would honestly mean the world to me for you to read it. I want to get a bunch of opinions on it, and my Mom & best friend are the only ones who have read it so far. Please!!! (: I’d be happy to read yours one day too! I’ve been working on mine since July, so it took me forever! I would love to get some readers!!
Thanks Emily!!!
- Erin
consideration**
Sure Erin !!! ill read it as soon as I can… should i email my response back to you? Good job writing a book! How long is it? Also your mom read it? Wow, thats something I could never do, (: for that I envy you aswell. I will look forward to reading your book!
Hi Emily!
I’m 13 and I’m just like you! I start out good, make my statements powerful, and think “Hey, this is the one I will finish…” and then bam! I get major writers block, can’t figure out where to go, and the story is gone. But, I don’t delete them, I just save and keep in a file and when I’m in the mood I’ll go back and add more to each one. Could I read some of your writing peices? It would be awesome to be able to swap and get opinions on my writing…
-Aquila
Anyway… about the blog post… I stink at running and/or anything involving sports other than dance (which I’m sort of suckish at) and swimming (which I love!), so it’s really cool your husband can do that! It must be so exhilirating, running and out to win. Competition in races us usually fierce, and it seems so fun to be out there and try to beat others, if not your own, speeds.
First, thank you for your books. When I say I’m a Dessen fangirl, I’m never ashamed to admit that your YA romance novels have an entire shelf to themselves.
Second, I had never heard of nanowrimo – I’m gonna try it. (Only11 days late; not too bad…)
Running’s over-rated which is my excuse for not doing more of it. And the injury to my lower extremities isn’t worth it
You really are such an inspiring person, and you’ve made me feel so much better today. Clackety-clack
Heyz,
if you want you can send them to karensrn@gmail.com 
please I enjoy reading books by other teens like you have no idea 
For all of you that write and want people to read your current books you can upload them at inkpop.com also I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to read your books and try to help you out. Oh also Im 13 and a hopeless romantic so to all of you who believe that the stories in books can come true keep it up
OMG! I am so glad that I started reading your books! they’re absolutely genius and brilliant and the most important thing, real. I haven’t been able to put down ONE of your books. I appreciate all that you do for your fans. You are truly loved…
Aquila, Hi.
I posted my email on a comment so if you could send me what you are writing on I could reply with my opinion and then send you what I am working on? That would be great, I check my email every few days so I will reply with in then (:. Nice talking to you!
I actually usually end up deleting my writing pieces, but I do still have o that Im not sure I like… Ill send it to you, unfortunately im only 2 pages in. I just want my books as good as Sarahs so I never end up continuing them cause I think they are not very good
Sarah, i just finished ” just listen”. I couldent stop reading when i started. I told my mom i want all your books for my birthday. I really connected with the book. It was amazing. I have been wondering, where do you get your inspiration? Me, also being a writer, its hard for me to find?
May we have a hint to this ‘book ELEVEN’ I know a few people who would love a hint!
-D B
Good job to your husband!
Sarah… you are just so freakin’ cool. I seriously have the urge to hug you. And thank you. Honestly, why wouldn’t I want to thank one of the most highly appreciated authors in my life? Keep up the most unique and fresh work that you are so well-known for doing.