I used to be a tennis singles player. But then, mostly because it was easier to find other players, I switched to doubles. And I've spent a lot of time and some cash in order to learn this very different game.

Then, this week, my team's coach puts me in the singles slot for our last match of the season. And it's not only our last match, it's a match with the top team in our division. "So what did I do to piss you off?" I ask our coach. He just smiles and says, "You'll just have to adapt is all."

I did manage to do that - after losing 3-6 in the first set. What I had been trying that whole first set wasn't working. It took nine games and a lost set to figure out what I doing, what had worked so well for doubles, wasn't going to work for me right now, right here. So I changed my game plan and won the second set 6-3 and the third set tie-break.

It made me wonder how often that applies to art and writing as well. I've been doing more writing than art lately and have been switching back and forth between picture book manuscripts and young adult novels. Picture books are more like doubles. The points are usually shorter and you just don't have the time to take your time with a long rally to set up your shots.

The novels are definitely more akin to a singles game. There you can take some time to really set up the court the way you'd like. And if you do that well, you'll get a point. Sure, singles and novels have their furious, rapid fire moments, but those are often offset by the more methodical set ups.

I have found myself at times trying to force a picture book mentality onto a novel, and also the other way around. Sometimes that's because I'm going in about 37 directions at once, creative-wise, but sometimes it's because I'm simply slow to adapt. And for me, the best plan is to scrap what I've written and start over. That's not quitting - that's recognizing you need a new game plan for the project in front of you.

On game day this week, there wasn't any way I was going to win that first set with the tactics I was using. But by reevaluating my game plan I did see success. I know this can seem like a reach. Does tennis strategy really translate to writing? Well, my fabulous agent, Edward Necarsulmer IV has sold both a novel and picture book projects for me in the past year. He's a genius at game plans and not too shabby a tennis player either.

So here's where I'd like to say I played a tennis match against my agent and I watched his game and adapted to come through with a win. Nope, I played a tennis match against my agent and had my fanny handed to me on a silver platter.

Next time, Edward. Next time.