Writers write

[resqgeek]

Looking at my archive, I see that, prior to this week, I've only posted four entries this year.  There are certainly any number of reasons (i.e., excuses) for that, but the truth is that I simply haven't made writing, whether in this venue or elsewhere, a priority in some time now.  But, I'm setting out to change that, or at least make an attempt.

I want to be a writer.  Oh, I write all the time for work, but the nature of that writing, full of techno-speak and legaleze, doesn't really make me a writer, in my opinion.  I want to tell stories, to entertain, to enlighten.  And I don't feel like I've been doing much of that in a long time (if ever).

I keep encountering a bit of wisdom that says that "writers write".  The idea is that a true writer writes as much and as often as he or she can.  Writers *make* time to write, which is something I have not done.  Among other things, I've been reading.  My pile of "to be read" books more closely resembles a mountain, and I keep signing up for new book giveaways from Goodreads.  That looming pile of books intimidates me into spending my free time reading rather than writing.

So, how am I going to change this pattern?  Well, for one thing, I'm going to stop looking for more books to add to the "to be read" pile.  I'm not going to sign up for more Goodreads giveaways, and I'm going to cull my "to be read" pile to get rid of the books that I've lost interest in.  And I'm going to try not to let the pile intimidate me.  The books aren't going anywhere, they can wait until I get to them.  I am going to try to spend at least a little time everyday writing, even if it is just a few minutes.  Some of that writing may show up here, some of it elsewhere, some of it may never leave my documents folder.  But I will write, and I will be a writer.

Comments

[katekintail.livejournal.com]

I couldn't stop writing if I tried, though I certainly go through weeks where I don't write anything. It's what makes me happy; it's my heartbeat. But that just means I have much less time for other things like reading, which is why my Mt. TBR is out of control.

One of the things I love about NaNoWriMo is that it not only gives me the tools I need to keep writing every day but it gives me an excuse to make time for writing in my life. That's one of the reasons National Blog Posting Month began: http://www.national-awareness-days.com/national-blog-posting-month.html

You might also find this useful: http://www.writersstore.com/dont-break-the-chain-jerry-seinfeld/
It doesn't work for me, but I have some writer friends who use this and say it works for them.

Best of luck and have fun!

[thebiblioholic.livejournal.com]

For the second year in a row I've been doing the photography equivalent: a 365 photos in 365 days project. Somedays they are planned projects, some days they are desperate last minute snapshots before midnight chimes :-), but I haven't missed a day yet and find that the more I do it the more I enjoy it. I also use this as an opportunity to experiment with different styles and techniques.

[katekintail.livejournal.com]

Cool! I recently did a 365 photo-a-day project as well. I agree that something like that gives you more of an excuse/opportunity to create. Sometimes you have to make room for a thing every day in order to explore it. Congrats on your photographic experimentation!

[thebiblioholic.livejournal.com]

Kinsey scale? I think you got the wrong URL in the link...

[katekintail.livejournal.com]

Oh, copy-paste, how I love you! Gah! Let's try that again: http://365project.org/katekintail/

[thebiblioholic.livejournal.com]

:-) Cool photos. I love how when you view a whole month or year later it becomes a visual diary.

I like the calendar view your site provides. I post mine on Flickr along with the rest of my photos as I want them all in one place and don't want to upload multiple times.

Here's my 2014: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebiblioholic/sets/72157639279142975/

and 2013: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thebiblioholic/sets/72157632456154732/

[katekintail.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I love the calendar views on that site. I also liked the % complete meter that helped remind me each day of the importance of not skipping a day in my project.

Thanks for sharing! I am sure yours are much more artistic than mine. I can't wait to go through them all :-) (I really like the ones where you focus on a single object; it's the perspective/view you choose that makes it fascinating like I want to study the picture forever)

[thebiblioholic.livejournal.com]

Just went through your photos and enjoyed them. But you stopped in June...

[melydia.livejournal.com]

I would definitely encourage you to write, whether or not I ever read any of it (though of course I'd love to). You have a lot of stories to tell, autobiographical and otherwise. If nothing else, it'll be something to entertain Cindy in her old age. :)

If you need any writing prompts, I've got a list of sites.

For whatever reason, this made me think of my LJ entry from a year ago. I'm still not writing any more than I was then. Heh.

[elhamisabel.livejournal.com]

By your description, I'm definitely not a writer. Never really felt like writing all the time or even part of the time.

I'm a reader, though, and proud of it. But I also cul my tbr pile now and then. It first started a few years after I joined BC, when I had around 80 unread books. Which is a lot for me, as prior to BC, I used to buy/borrow a book, read it, buy/borrow another book, and repeat this. My tbr pile was around 10 books right after my Birthday and Christmas. I felt burdened down by the big pile I had gathered, so I gave away those I didn't even remember why I wanted to read them in the first place or those I couldn't bother reading anymore. It felt so good and I did not feel I missed out on any of those books so far. So I'm doing that occasionally, when the pile grows too big for my liking.