Rockette rules for rookie writers

There were a few holiday rules at my childhood home. No peeking at presents. No cookies before dinner, especially not frosted ones. And the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade MUST be on TV during the ritualistic preparation of the turkey. My father, the dearest, most naturally comical man on earth, always rose ridiculously early on Thanksgiving morning shouting, “Put on your clean socks! We’re going to stuff the turkey!” I was Daddy’s partner-in-crime on these seasonal culinary escapades, mostly because I was the only kid up at that hour–and I was his little girl.

In between wrestling with the massive bird, buttering its skin, salting and stuffing its nether regions, Dad and I would dash in and out of the living room to catch the Macy’s parade. My granddaddy, in his role as town crier, would alert us when a “good one” was on and we’d drop everything and run out to watch. Dad would puff up with pride whenever a local high school or college band hove into view. We stayed put, Dad tapping in time to the march tune, until the camera lost interest in that band, then race back to the kitchen to attend to the latest disaster.

Frankly, the parade’s current iteration leaves me cold. However, one timeless element never fails to mesmerize me to this day: the Rockettes. Somehow, somewhere during this holiday season, you’ll encounter this troupe of impressively disciplined, fabulously costumed women kicking their legs skyward like it’s their job. It is. Smiles (and hair) firmly in place, these sparkling gals do a high-stepping routine that would leave most of us dead. Literally.

How do they do it? Well, they follow the rules to go from competent dancer to real-life Rockette. You say you want to go from good writer to published author? Try following the Rockette secrets of success.

Top 10 Rockette Rules

1. Hug the dream: Rockettes new and old inevitably say their first glimpse of Rockettes in the Macy’s parade ignited that burning desire to be one. Remember the first time a teacher told you what a good writer you were? Or when your story was displayed as an example? Hanging onto that moment will help you focus during the sloggy parts of writing. Which leads us to…

2. Get used to the grind: Corliss Fyfe Whitney’s charming 2012 memoir “A Rockette Remembers” recounts the daily life of early Rockettes in informative, terrifying detail: Rise at 7 (or earlier), shower, hair and makeup (Rockettes still do their own hair and makeup). Eat. Hours of grueling rehearsals. Perform daytime shows, learn new routines between said shows. Grab lunch, more shows. Collapse. “We worked 12-hour days, seven days a week.” To succeed as a writer (see #10 below), you must put in the hours at the keyboard. Endless craft podcasts can only take you so far.

3. The original Linked-in: Rockettes are a tribute to teamwork on every level. They’re sisters–if one falters, they all go down. Rethink the “lonely artist in the attic” attitude and find an authorial community to ground and support you. (By the way, a Rockette’s fingers might graze a neighbor’s costume during kick lines, but they don’t hold each other up. Great metaphor for not being clingy or reliant on other writers to keep your balance.)

4. Big sister knows best: Corliss remembers: “I began to study my big sisters…to learn how I was supposed to act.” Watch how your favorite authors work social media, but don’t limit your engagement to big names. Fellow fledglings would love a reciprocal follow. And, if you only talk to the editors and agents at writer conferences and ignore your peers, you risk being pegged a heartless climber. Not a good label if you ever need help (and you will).

5. Challenge yourself: Corliss reports every Rockette had a routine that terrified her. The solution: Get help and log plenty of practice time to bring skills up to speed. Rockette trainers wisely sandwiched rookies between seasoned veterans who could encourage—or admonish—faltering dancers. If local writing mentors are tough to find, join American Christian Fiction Writers, West Coast Christian Writers, Christian Writers Institute, Historical Christian Romance Writers—mentors abound in these supportive virtual and real-life communities. Gurus like Jane Friedman and Thomas Umstattd, Jr. offer podcasts and webinars with the most up-to-date info on today’s challenging publishing world. I’ve found Christian authors on IG usually respond kindly to rookie questions (more about that on this previous post).

6. Stay loose: Corliss says: “Limbering up wasn’t just important, it was imperative to one’s survival!” By keeping muscles flexible, Rockettes avoided injury. For writers, that means writing. Every ding-dong day. Even if it’s “just” a blog post, writing daily keeps your muse awake and helps you squelch the dreaded “imposter syndrome.” You write, ergo, you’re a writer.   

7. Lock-step love: Corliss avers Rockettes had to squash any natural tendencies to be individuals. If you couldn’t accept that, you simply weren’t Rockette material. Kicks had to be just so high and no higher (even if you could scrape the ceiling). Now, them’s fighting words to our “Live Free or Die” Yankee Doodle souls, but generally speaking, agents and publishers only invest in cooperative authors who skillfully write to market, knowing reader expectations and what sells.

8. Just routine, ma’am: Corliss notes having a regular routine “…was a key psychological factor in helping me feel like a Rockette.” Rituals build skills and reinforce a sense of belonging. Reinforce and meet goals with helpful routines, like a dedicated writing time and place. Develop a weekly schedule and stick to it.

9. Smile: Right before any Rockette hits the stage, Radio City Music Hall or 34th Street in front of Macy’s, she whispers one word to herself: Smile. A cheerful grin, a laugh, some lilting music can make the difference between a rough work session and a happy one. You’ve been blessed, Christian writer, with a gift. Start your writing sessions with thanksgiving and praise and watch what happens.

10. Claim your identity: To this day, almost every Rockette declares “The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” routine is the defining dance; the one that signals to the dancer she’s really a Rockette. What would tell you that you’re truly an author? A book contract with a traditional publisher? A self-published, no-compromise masterpiece? A 5-star Goodreads review? Getting paid for your work? Seeing your name on a book cover? Telling your memoir story, your way? All legit definitions and at least one of them is calling your name. Ask yourself: Why do I write? Then talk it over with God. He gave you this gift and He longs to help you find deep satisfaction and joy in it.

When you watch the Macy’s parade this Thanksgiving, consider the discipline and hard work behind the leggy precision, those cheery red-lipsticked smiles*. Then apply the Rockette Rules to your writing life and kick off your own success!  

*(PS. Find yourself admiring the Rockettes’ glorious ruby-red lips? Here’s a primer on how to get your own scarlet smile for the holidays!)

Commit your work to the Lord and He will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3