In From Point A to Point B, Writing and Rock Climbing, Part One, my theory that writing and rock climbing are similar was mostly proven. Here, in Part Two, I examine writing and climbing terms that compliment each other. The climbing definition is listed first, followed by the writing definition. 

Enjoy, and when you’re done, get back to writing or climbing!

Approach 

The path to the beginning of a climb.

The path to the start of writing a novel.

Beta

Advice on how to successfully complete a climbing route.

Advice on how to make changes to your story.

Booty 

Gear left behind at a climbing location.

What a writer sits on while writing.

Bummer 

A difficult route.

A difficult plot twist or scene.

Font 

The French grading system for bouldering.

A particular typeface and size.

Friend

A namee brand of a spring-loaded camming device. 

Someone who never says no when you ask him to read your work.

Grovel 

To climb with poor technique.

To beg an agent to take on your project.

Layback 

A climbing move that involves pulling on the hands while pushing on the feet.

A writing move that involves leaning back in a chair and closing your eyes while waiting for inspiration

Mantle 

The external covering of a climbing rope.

Where writers hope to display their Pulitzer Prize or American Book Award.

Nub 

A little hold that only a few fingers or toe tips can grip.

The remaining part of a pencil that barely fits between thumb and index finger.

Open book 

An inside angle in the rock.

How people read.

Pitch

One rope length (50–60 meters) or the portion of a climb between two belay points.

Usually seconds long, a synopsis of your story told to an agent/editor/publisher who you hope will want to represent you/buy your book.

Project 

A potential new route or bouldering problem.

A potential new story.

Rack 

The set of equipment carried up a climb or the part of a harness where equipment is hung.

Where a writer hopes his books will appear in a bookstore.

Scrambling

A type of climbing somewhere between hiking and graded rock climbing.

What a writer does to meet a deadline.

Screamer 

A long and loud fall.

Same.

Send 

To complete a route cleanly.

What a writer presses when e-delivering his manuscript to an agent/editor/publisher. Usually done with a shaky finger.

Tension 

A technique for maintaining balance using a taut rope through a point of protection.

A technique to keep the reader’s interest in the protagonist’s plight.

Write on! Climb on!