Writing as a spectator sport: A blog from the Sportsmen’s Show

Writing, or so everyone tells you, is not a spectator sport. It’s kind of boring (to watch). The constant typing and backing up and rewriting can be tedious. All in all, it’s kind of like watching … well … you know the old story about sausage-making, right?

But here I am, sitting at a booth at the 74th annual Eastern Maine Sportsmen’s Show, writing. My words are instantly appearing on a 32-inch HD TV. (Our first visitor since I began writing just informed me that he’s already bored … so maybe this experiment isn’t working).

But here we are, one booth among more than 100. Aislinn Sarnacki of the BDN is showing off her popular One-Minute Hike videos. Our boss, Aimee Thibodeau, is riding herd over the BDN Maine crew. Dogs are walking by. People are stopping to chat.

John, The Duck, and Aislinn

And not long ago, a large yellow duck stopped by for a visit. Here’s the photographic proof.

You never know what you’re going to see at the Sportsmen’s Show.

So far we’ve talked to hundreds of visitors about BDN Maine Outdoors, our new publication. We’ve signed up hundreds of people who are eager to join Dan Legere and me on our “Win a Drift Boat Trip” contest.

And we’ve eaten a few hot dogs. Or maybe that was just me.

Aislinn chats with visitors at the BDN Maine Outdoors booth

Maybe you’re reading this on Saturday afternoon and are wondering what to do with your day. Here’s a suggestion: Come by and visit the University of Maine field house and Memorial Gym.

Stop for a bit. Tell us a story. Check out the other exhibits. Enter a raffle if you choose.

Duck costumes optional.

 

John Holyoke

About John Holyoke

John Holyoke has been enjoying himself in Maine's great outdoors since he was a kid. Today, he's the Outdoors editor for the BDN, a job that allows him to meet up with Maine outdoors enthusiasts in their natural habitat. The stories he gathers provide fodder for his columns, and this blog.