I realized today that I have written in various forms – journals, blogs, essays, notes and ideas, etc. – for everyday of this year. This is supposed to be my year of taking writing seriously, and I have actually done so for a whole month. Believe me when I say that I have made this commitment before but things have always gotten in the way. Or I should say, I had allowed things to interfere because I had convinced myself that they were more important. Despite that, I usually found myself composing ideas for essays and stories in my head all the time but not making it a priority to actually develop them.
Now, I have set aside the mornings as my time to get started. As the coffeepot gurgles and the heater gently blows warm air throughout the dark, quiet house, everyone else is asleep. But I am writing, writing whatever comes into my head, whatever is on my mind. As long as words are showing up on the page or screen, I am in my practice. Not surprisingly, it is getting easier.
Writing is a powerful way to start the day. Capture dreams, make plans, celebrate accomplishments and find ways of making the world a better place.
What did I learn yesterday?
What do I have to give today?
I really enjoy your perspective on writing, Robyn. The task can be so daunting, and something that we aspire to do more of, while at the same time it can be so relaxing, reflective, and personally rewarding. It’s interesting to me how many writers describe the space of their writing — the sounds of their houses, the setting, the time of day — and it reminds me that writing actually brings us into a closer relationship with our lives, rather than taking us out of that relationship. We are more alone when we write than maybe any other time, and yet we are also more accompanied.
It’s taken me years and several thousand dollars in student loans to get my MFA and learn a writing discipline. The last year, I’ve been working on my memoir independently, and finally, I have been building a writing system that works for me. Keep it up! Glad to meet another fellow writer.
Thank you for the comment and validation. I want to write a memoir too and I have constructed pieces of it on my own and in a few writing classes, but it is definitely a work deep in progress. Nice to meet you too and I look forward to more feedback from you.
Robyn: I like what you have done to give more time to your writing. I know the inconsistencies in time management. You gave me some ideas to try and will do so. Thank you!
I think that it is incredible that you have written consistently for the whole year so far. The hardest part of writing for me is simply finding time to do it…that’s why a lot of my bog posts are written at 1:00 in the morning. I love the richness and detail that you brought into describing your world. Well done!