Checking in after another month on my writing progress like I did last month #1424148. Trying to get a trend started. Trying to get myself motivated!
But here's the short of it: I was not motivated.
I ran an experiment that was meant to connect a visual prompt to the habit I would like to form. In the beginning of this month, I created that visual. I'd say, though, it still remains incomplete. And the success of the experiment was heavily lacking. Unfortunately.
I hardly wrote. I did make two attempts at different short story ideas. The first was set inside the world of the novel I'm trying to write. However, I couldn't get into the head space, and I never decided what would happen inside the story. It got as far as two paragraphs. I'll share the opening because it was like "hm maybe this is something?"
Everything has a place.
These words cross-stitched underneath a forest scene. A tree generously bends its shelter over the mushrooms and flowers along a worn dirt path. A bluebird perches in the shade. The scene is framed by four knobby sticks and hung on a string. It is centered on the wall of my small cabin next to a coat rack, suspended at eye level. Each time I cross the threshold I have to look at it, and it really bothers me. Is it supposed to mean something? I canāt place it as a well-known phrase. It almost shames me into tidying up, maybe thatās the point.
The next of these ideas I am certain was a bad idea, like morally wrong. So I couldn't see it through. I would have to be sick to entertain it. I bet you'd like to know it, but alas, you shall not.
And that's that on that. I didn't even want to write this update - but I am determined to craft this habit, so I gotta.
Congrats on the milestone!
It might help to have a buddy system. Perhaps someone on or off SN has a related goal or can be persuaded into one and you can hold each other accountable? Works for AA. Maybe you can start a habit the way they stop them.
At least this week, I will take up the offer I'm asking you to make. I did a story-style 401k match. A beginning for a beginning.
Very k00besque, I like
I am forever a k00b. Did you go to Brazil? Are you going to write about it?
Yes! Currently waiting at a dead airport for my next flight back home in 4 hours. But hey, I can order food to the gate, look at that
Mhh, I hope so!
I can see you know how to pick good places. What's the Portuguese word you learned in Brazil?
Floresta means Forest! (And itās named like that because it uses Merkle trees a lot.)
I also remember someone tried to say āhead and shouldersā in English, and I understood āHeil Hitlerā, that was so good, hahaha
šš¤£
Great word, itās really similar to English. One word foreigners pick up a lot is 'gringo' (/ĖÉ”rÉŖÅ.ɔɏ/), which is slang for a foreigner!
Storymatch is a cool concept. Also, I didn't know legpit was the word but it totally makes sense.
I kidna like this idea.... a SN writing club....
I'd join.
Omg thatās cool what the hell
According to the Cult of Done, it still counts.
heCK Yeah. Haha I like that
What genre were you going for? Something surreal, or horror?
What if you continue to post short stories on SN, and eventually compile the ideas into something larger?
It happens. Sometimes you have to give yourself a break. I find the best writing comes when you're inspired by a good idea. When it happens, write it down on a notepad, and then generate the article when you have the time or energy. Trying force ideas to happen on schedule doesn't work well. You get burned out and then hate writing in general. Enjoy your breaks when you have them, and you'll find the writing flows out easier.
I'd read more. Liked the feel of it.
Back when I was writing a lot of fiction (is this ten years ago now? Oh my) I often felt like it was all garbage. The only thing that finally resulted in me producing something was a self-imposed requirement that I write for at least two hours, even if it was just two hours of writing garbage. Few of those words made it into the story, but they often preceded many words that did make it into the story.
Are you scared of going down the rabbit hole because you are half certain that fleshing up that immorally wrong idea will send you reeling? Leave you disgusted?
Honestly, even two paragraphs is a win. That visual prompt is such a cool idea, might just take time to click. Donāt give up.