A friend of mine started a personal writing project a few months ago, her intention to put something down on paper, everyday, for one year. No minimum number of words, nothing on/off limits, simply a new exercise program for an old friend.
She put the announcement on facebook, citing it's harder to renege once it's out in the interspace. I can relate. I've gotten on that bus, but sometimes forgot to get off at the right stop. whoops. But she bravely offered to share her stories & commentaries, so I enthusiastically volunteered as a reader. And in the first few emails, I found myself inspired but what she was doing and intrigued to try my hand at such an awesome, creative challenge!
I knew setting a daily bar wouldn't work for me. Not because I think it's wrong, quite contrary as I think the determination is admirable. But since starting this journal, all I think about is writing everyday, which reality has translated into occasional. I don't want to commit myself to an unrealistic goal because that will only set me up for failure. And then I'll get discouraged, which is not the point.
So I decided to do my own version, which other than time is nothing different I guess. I'd follow her lead with no minimum number of words (which is swell when I sent four on a page) and nothing on/off limits. But in terms of frequency, do it when I can. keep it simple. And I gotta say, it's been exceptionally rewarding! I'm writing a little more, including a couple short stories I really dig. The sharing between ourselves has also been an unexpected reward. There is an intimate accountability, for this trusted space we've created; I crave it.
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I write. I won't call myself a writer... Writer is reserved for someone who like, isn't me. How in as much as I'd love to do discover my voice full time, it's easier to call it a fulfilling hobby. Maybe that's why sharing selected tidbits is acceptable, because I'm working through the discovery of who I am and what do I want to say.
Be on the lookout.
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