"Writing is like a contact sport, like football. You can get hurt, but you enjoy it"

Irwin Shaw's quote, "Composing is like a contact sport, like football. You can get hurt, but you enjoy it", is a vibrant metaphor that catches the extreme and immersive nature of the composing process.

First of all, the comparison of writing to a contact sport suggests that writing is not a passive activity. Just like in football, where gamers engage physically with both the game and each other, authors engage deeply with their thoughts, ideas, and feelings. This engagement can be strenuous; just as professional athletes run the risk of physical injury, authors expose themselves to emotional difficulties. Writers typically explore complex, in some cases painful subjects that require vulnerability and self-reflection. The process can be mentally and emotionally taxing, leaving the author sensation exposed and even "hurt" by the needs of sincerity and introspection.

Furthermore, the analogy emphasizes the competitive element of composing. Writers contend not just with others, however also with themselves, constantly making every effort to improve their craft, push limits, and articulate their thoughts more plainly and powerfully. The difficulty of wrestling with language and concepts parallels the competitive energy of a sport like football, requiring discipline, persistence, and resilience.

In spite of the threats and challenges, Shaw highlights the enjoyment stemmed from writing. This happiness likely originates from the fulfillment of revealing oneself, the satisfaction of conquering imaginative obstacles, and the exhilaration of bringing concepts to life. In football, gamers find pleasure in the camaraderie, the adventure of the video game, and the execution of competent plays; similarly, writers find joy in the creation of narratives, the connection with readers, and the individual development that writing involves.

In other words, Shaw's quote encapsulates the double nature of writing: it is an undertaking that can be both agonizing and enjoyable, difficult yet rewarding, similar to the dynamics of a contact sport. The "hurt" is not simply an expense but a part of the transformative journey that makes the effort truly enjoyable.