When I was asked to write a blog about pickleball, I was hesitant because I’d been away from the sport for quite a while. But then I thought I’d write about the qualms I’ve had about getting back into the game.

It should be easy, right? Pick up a paddle and start swinging. Well … Not as easy as all that. I find myself thinking, “I’ll get to the courts and I won’t be half as good as I once was. People are going to think, ‘Hey, what happened to her? She used to be better than that.’ I’ll be embarrassed; I’ll want to make excuses. It’ll be bad.”

With such thoughts in my head, my first appearance on the court is destined for disaster. I don’t stand a chance. My inner opponent has beaten me, and I haven’t even put on my shoes.

What’s going on in my head is probably not so different from thoughts you’ve had before a game that mattered, let’s say, or some other event where your performance was being judged, either by you or by others. The horrible part of all of this is that the worry, the thoughts your inner opponent throws at you, will cause you to fulfill your expectations and perform worse than you would otherwise.

I don’t expect to get to the courts after a long time away and play the best game I’ve ever played. But if I can keep my inner opponent from offering comments and taking over, my game might not be that bad. How do I do that?

There are a few ways, and they fall into two general method groups: discipline and relaxation. As you’ll see from the points below, these aren’t always mutually exclusive.

• Stop thinking. At least, stop thinking so much. If you can tune out negative thoughts especially, your play will improve. Stop thinking about the game and just start playing it. Someone recently said we all have baggage – you just need to make sure it’s checked baggage and not carry-on.
• Concentrate on something and keep that focus. Watch the ball. Pay attention to your follow through. Concentrate on your target. Whatever you choose, stay focused on that thought and don’t let other thoughts or events distract you.
• Stay calm. Don’t react to things happening around you. Take even breaths. Keep your composure. Almost like a meditation on the court, let go of any tightness, relax your body and mind, and “go with the flow.”
• Take the game one serve at a time. Let go of the last point as soon as it’s over. Each new serve is a new chance to make a point, and making points, one by one, wins the game.
• Make a pattern for your rally preparation and do it the same way every time. Relax; move into the ready position; stay alert; watch the ball. Whatever you do, whatever routine you set for yourself, focus on this and nothing else.
• Be fearless. What good does being afraid do for you? Believe in yourself, in your body’s ability to do naturally what you’ve practiced. You’ve made plenty of good shots before. You can and will do it again. Don’t let anyone or anything bully you into believing otherwise.

I''ll keep you posted. If I can get my head back in the game – no, wait – if I can keep my head out of the game, I’ll play better and have more fun. The same goes for you, too. Don’t think about it: do it!

Hello! It's been a long time between posts, due to being busy with the holidays and then a week-long trip to northern California to see family (including almost one-year-old grandson Charlie).

He's toddling now and recognizes many words, but he hadn't really verbalized much that definitely signified something or someone until my trip. I'm pleased to report that his very first word with definite meaning was "book."

Now home again, I've dealt with the pile of mail covering my desk, responded to 34,283 emails, and caught up on various chores.
[I must digress here and relate a conversation that took place about four days into my trip between Richard, who was holding down the fort, and me:
Richard: "I couldn't find Bella [one of our cats] this morning. I thought maybe she ran away. Then I discovered the cats didn't have any food."
Me: "You have to feed the cats." (Pause while thinking) "Did you change the litter box?"
Richard: (Pause while thinking) "I have to change the litter box?"]

Now for news: I've had a new book (and most likely a series) in the works for some time. It is a fantasy adventure, but quite a departure from the Bruce series, as its hero is a fourteen-year-old boy named Tom. It begins when he and his sister, Jessie, and their parents are at the zoo for a family night on Halloween evening. As Tom watches Jessie walk toward the carousel, she simply vanishes, leaving behind only a crystal necklace. The usual investigation ensues, but Tom knows she wasn't abducted, as the authorities believe. He saw Jessie disappear. He begins researching other disappearances, and he learns that other children gone missing from that same area over the years. When one child's father steps forward with clues to his daughter's disappearance, Tom finds himself caught up in a plan to transport himself to the world where Jessie now resides---a realm of magic, where the mages of that world vie for control over the "hybrids" (centaurs, satyrs, harpies, etc.) and battle with each other for dominance. The consequences of this battle will have far-reaching effects, because if they close the "rift" separating their world from ours, nothing will ever be the same.

This book will probably take some time, and I'm at a point where I've stalled a bit, needing to make sure of my next steps before committing more words to the page. Meanwhile, I've got an idea for a new Bruce novel. I didn't think I'd write another (how many times have I said that??), but I like the characters too much to stop, I guess. I won't let on what this one is yet, as the idea is too new. As I am more certain, I'll give you hints and excerpts to whet your appetite.

I hope to set up more visits to elementary schools this year. I've traveled as far as San Diego for visits, and I'm willing to go farther, as it's always one of my great pleasures to speak with children about my books, what it's like to be an author, and about writing in general. If you have fourth- or fifth-graders in your (extended) family, and you think their school would enjoy an author's visit, please let me know. Schools in my local area (Phoenix, AZ) would be great, of course, as I can visit there more often.

I hope the new year is treating you well and that your resolutions (if any) are holding up!

My best to you,
Gale