Last year I turned 40.
Last year I signed up for a year-long writing course, 365 days. Of writing. When I had not written anything vaguely ‘creative’ in over 20 years. Yes, I had written blog posts, and posts on Pilates and updates on FB, but dig into imagination territory and write? Nope, nothing, nada. Until Last year.
I joined the 7 Day Writing Challenge through the author Joanne Fedler last May. I was drawn to her because I had read her memoir, When Hungry, Eat,(loved it) and the idea of getting taught by an author, a published author, made me feel special (also a little starstruck, and when she answered a comment of mine on FB, well, swoon…for me, authors are like movie stars…) Long story short, ended up committing 2018 to the Year of My Book, and it was suggested to me that I should document the journey for other aspiring authors. (I can’t wait to look back at these posts when I have a book published… It will be very surreal.)
My 365 days started the 1st January, today is day 15 and this is what I have learned so far.
- You have to believe you can pull it off
- Writing is as hard and as easy as sitting down to write. If you know your letters, you can write.
- Having someone who believes you can do it, no matter the doubts in your head makes a BIG difference.
- You WILL have doubts, but it is what you do with them that count. Do they terrify you so much that you don’t get the words down, or do you politely acknowledge them and then tell them they are not welcome… I do the latter.
- You have to make the time to write. Even when you don’t feel like it.
- Somedays the words flow and sometimes they definitely do not. When they don’t, write down the noise in your head. Make space for new words.
- Your writing can surprise you
- You do have gems amidst the ramble
- You have to write EVERY DAY, preferably with a word count so you are accountable to yourself.
- Having a group of writing buddies is extremely supportive of the process. To have them to chat to, to compare notes of where you are at in the process, to talk to people who are in the SAME situation, is very beneficial and I am very grateful for my Podlings. ( You know who you are)
- You have to TRUST THE PROCESS. Even when it feels like nothing is happening, trust that there is. Under the surface where you cannot see it.
- You have to have faith in yourself and your ability(even when you don’t)
- You have to commit, even on the dark days, the silent days, the days the words won’t budge.
I am positive that this process is going to get both easier and much harder as the year goes on. But I have set myself along this path and I shall follow through. Committed.
And you, are you planning a similar journey, or have you embarked on your own story, your own book? I would love to hear from you. What gems have you gleaned from the process?
Next update coming in February. Until then…