On New Year’s Eve, I committed to writing every day this year and have stuck to it! YAY me!
Normally I am pretty good at ignoring advice given if I don’t think it pertains to me. However, each time I went to a writer’s workshop or lecture on writing, the speaker more often than not would break out with that oh-so-annoying mantra, you must write every day. Writers Write. I got so tired of hearing it. I decided if I was going to completely dismiss something, I should at least know the reasons why, hence my commitment to writing every day in 2014.
Now, today on the 200th day of continuous writing I am A COMPLETE AND UTTER CONVERT. Not only do I feel more connected with my novel Daughter of Maat as I touch it every day, but I have also had some amazing breakthroughs and the writing seems to come more easily. I know that this personal commitment has made me a better writer in so many ways.
There have been a few days when, due to life getting in the way, I would “punch the clock,” allowing myself to write for a short burst of time. (Like when my mom was visiting from out of state.) However, the for bulk of those 200 days I’ve written from a minimum 30 minutes up to 6 hours.
Once you make the habit, you find ways to make it work. While my mom was visiting we went on a day trip to Bainbridge Island to see an outdoor production of Twelfe Night at Bloedel Reserve. (The reserve is TOTALLY worth checking out if you are ever on Bainbridge Island.) We headed home in the late evening. By the time our ferry landed in Seattle traffic was all jammed up because the Seafair Torchlight parade was wrapping up. When I got home it was 11:30 p.m., my day was almost over and no writing had commenced. I grabbed my laptop, wished my mother a quick good night and wrote the day out.
Whew! That was a close call, almost broke my streak. But one thing I have discovered over these 200 days is where there is a will there is a way.
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