Famed marathoner and endurance runner Martin Parnell says writing a book is like, well … like running a marathon.
“It’s a long process. You’ve got to practice. You’ve got to take hydration and nutrition along the way,” the well-known Cochranite said with a laugh. “It’s a long go. But just like running is one step at a time … it’s one word at a time.”
Parnell’s first book, Marathon Quest, which chronicled his commitment to run 250 marathons in one year for the Right to Play charity, earned him accolades from across the globe. His second non-fiction title, Running to the Edge, will be released Nov. 8.
His writing success – coupled with his inspirational style – makes Parnell an ideal fit for his new position as Writer-in-Residence at the Cochrane Public Library, said executive director Jeri Maitland.
“His book is so engaging,” she said. “Besides being an engaging author, he’s telling his own story. He obviously writes from his heart and from his experience.”
Writers-in-Residence are embedded into libraries around the world as a way for both aspiring and more experienced wordsmiths to find support for and seek evaluation of their work. It’s been more than 10 years since the Cochrane library had one of its own, with celebrated Canadian novelist and Giller Prize finalist Marina Endicott holding the post in 2004 and Governor General’s Literary Award nominee Fred Stenson taking over in 2005.
Maitland said she’s thrilled to be able to again offer such a worthwhile service to writers.
“Cochrane has a large writing community,” she said. “I don’t know if it’s the fresh air here, or if it’s just a lovely place to be. Certainly, I think it’s a place where people are open to new experiences and new challenges.”
Starting Oct. 4, Parnell will be available at the library on Railway Street West every Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m. Appointments to see him can be made online at cochranepubliclibrary.ca/content/writer-residence.
He will also host four workshops during his seven-month term.
To celebrate the launch of the program, the library is hosting a party this Friday Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m., with refreshments, a book signing and a discussion by Parnell himself.
Parnell said he hopes to inspire Cochrane writers of all levels and abilities to bring their stories to the page.
“Being a writer means writing,” he said. “Whether you journal or diary, you’ve got to put it down.
“We can all do it – we’ve just got to have it come from the heart.”
