What Football Teaches Writers About Success, Wins, and Perseverance

From Edie: What can football teach writers about success? Learn how wins, perseverance, and teamwork apply to the writing journey.

What Football Teaches Writers About Success, Wins, and Perseverance

by Beth K. Vogt @BethVogt

Is it okay if I talk about football today?

“But Beth,” you say, “this is a blog for writers.”

Let me rephrase my question: Is it okay if I talk about football today if I connect it to writing?

Win or lose, I’m a Denver Broncos fan. We won this season and we’re in the playoffs. But please understand, a lot of our wins were all-too-close and we relied on our defense. (Don’t you love how fans say “we”? As if we were down on the field blocking, tackling, and running for touchdowns. Ha!)

Some of you are thinking, “Enough football talk. Move on.”

Here goes. 

3 Football Truths for Writers

A win is a win is a win. Maybe you’re beginning 2026 tallying your 2025 writing wins and losses. Maybe you didn’t accomplish everything you hoped to last year. Your manuscript had too much blank space between “It was a dark and stormy night” and “The end.” Or you’re disappointed because your wins weren’t big enough, especially compared to someone else’s wins. That other writer—you know who I’m talking about—landed an agent and a multi-book contract. Don’t label your win a loss because you wanted more. A win is a win is a win. 

Wins don’t always happen when and how we think they should. Did you know more points are scored in the second and fourth quarters of football games? (Yes, I checked this stat.) My husband, Rob, and I have watched so many games this season that were won by a field goal as the final seconds ticked down on the clock. That’s when Rob looks over and says, “This is why you never give up.” You can’t be successful as a writer if you quit. Waiting is hard. Starting over is hard. Wrestling with weak beginnings and muddled middles and elusive endings is hard. Dreams don’t come true if you what if about the future and quit. 

Wins are all the sweeter when you remember who helped you win. One of my favorite parts of a football game? It’s when a reporter comes up to the quarterback after the game and asks him about the victory. Instead of talking about himself, the QB talks about the team. Mentions other players’ contributions. He shares the win. When you get a writing win this year—and you will!—share it. Celebrate the members of your writers group who provided valuable feedback. Thank your mentor. Hug your family for understanding that your writing life is their writing life too.

Stop for a moment and think about the wins you had 2025. I’d love for you to share one in the comments so we can celebrate with you.

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What Football Teaches Writers About Success, Wins, and Perseverance from @BethVogt on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” She’s authored 15 novels and novellas, both contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Beth is a Christy Award winner, an ACFW Carol Award winner, and a  RITA® finalist. Her newest contemporary romance novel, Dedicated to the One I Love, released June 20, 2023. Her novel Things I Never Told You, book one in her Thatcher Sisters Series by Tyndale House Publishers, won the 2019 AWSA Golden Scroll Award for Contemporary Novel of the Year. An established magazine writer and former editor of the leadership magazine for MOPS International, Beth blogs for Learn How to Write a Novel and The Write Conversation and also enjoys speaking to writers group and mentoring other writers. She lives in Colorado with her husband Rob, who has adjusted to discussing the lives of imaginary people. Connect with Beth at BETHVOGT.COM.