I am coming to love these Round of Word Check Ins. At first they seemed to come far too quickly so I got tangled up in the “not reaching” but somehow, now, I have shifted. I look forward to visiting other #ROW80 folks, seeing what everyone is doing in this focused time of writing.
I knew traveling in the middle of this adventure would cause some challenges with the dailyness of my goals, but what I learned instead was it filled me with so many ripe images, so many experiences of wonder, instead of taking away from my writing, it gave back to my writing.
The experience also lifted me out of the sludge and clutter that fills my mind when I am experiencing an especially deep episode of depression. Since the beginning of October I have been wrestling with depression again, its stench filling my shoes, my hairbrush and even my notebooks.
When I return to the sweetness of those experiences, I am lifted up and out of the darkness again.
Yesterday I even felt compelled to work on art after I had finished my minimums for daily writing. I had a decent time at a wedding of a man I dated at one time. It was odd, seeing as I have no idea what his new wife knows, but my daughter and I had a fine time. Watching Emma cut it up on the dance floor made me laugh out loud. I didn’t know until last night how much she loves dancing.
Here are the details of my goals and the “What’s happening” as I lean toward reaching them.
Writing/Craft
Write: Since I returned from my New England trip, blogging about my experiences have kept me pleasant rather than cranky. I have been reliving the moments and wow, they have been delightful. Now I am right on task.
WIP: This is my one area of weakness. I have made no progress. Watch Wednesday’s check in where I will surely wow you! >> giggles <<
Edit: POETRY: Work on editing one poem daily – YES! This is rather remarkable for me because usually editing is something I put off. Now I think of it as molding, sculpting, forming… and somehow – this is working.
PROSE: I’m calling it Life, Interrupted. No progress since I returned.
Read: One poem a day. YES! I am delighted I have kept this one up. Writing from all different genre, era and style of poets, this is a goal that moves me.
One Book on the Art of Writing. I put down Writing Poems for a bit to focus on the books I brought on my trip: Writing a Woman’s Life by Carolyn Heilbrun and Naked, Drunk and Writing by Adair Lara.
The former is excellent: almost textbook-like in parts, but I have been learning so much and love it so much, I actually enjoy the textbook quality. I am being introduced to new authors (which always delights me.) I didn’t realize it was such a feminist classic until I started reading.
The latter has good information, but while she teaches about tone, the tone she uses is one that generally doesn’t appeal to me. I tend to turn from authors who believe their way is the ONLY way. Lara believes she is very funny. Maybe other people do, too. Most of the time, though, I feel like she is trying to hard. I have applied some of her advice to my writing and it feels like it makes a positive difference so I am grateful for that.
Creativity as a Practice:
I was a photo taking fool while away plus two days ago I was invited to have some of my art in an art show at one of the galleries I show up in frequently. Naturally I didn’t want to show old stuff so I am putting together a few assemblages from what I have had sitting, waiting to be created. I am pleased to say I AM ENJOYING IT!!
Social Media
Weekly: Write no less than five blog posts weekly . I’m on target!
Biweekly: Post my #ROW80 updates on Wednesday and Sunday! Continue with SOCSunday and Wishcasting. Yes, yes, YES!
Daily: Visit no fewer than two or three of my fellow #ROW80 as well as Ultimate Blog Challenge and ShineOnline Challenge peeps. I picked this backl up. I love the community that is created from the writers of #ROW80.
Thank you, all, for your comments on my words.
My version of AMEN: REMEMBER I WRITE BECAUSE I LOVE IT and… Word-love has the power to change the world. One sentence at a time, we are having a positive impact on this beloved planet.
Until Wednesday, Word-love to you all!
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© 2011
Julie Jordan Scott
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