A.K.A. Revisiting and Realizing Why I Need to be Writing Fiction
Just when I think that things are looking up, they look left, right, and a little murky. Alas, such is life.
The last few months have been intense, to say the least. And as life happened, I set writing aside in order to deal with whatever was thrown my way. However, now that I’ve gained perspective (in the midst of discovering and facing new challenges) I see how important an impact writing has had on my life and the significance of its role now.
I can’t believe we’ve reached the end of the alphabetic blogging challenge already. April blew by so fast, though I tell ya, my digits can feel every last typed letter. Sometimes, handwritten. Also, there may have been tears. More like weeping, but I digress.
Not only did I blog all of April, I wrote the better part of two novels, as well. I say better part because the stories are taking me on a ride that it will be some time before I type the words THE END on either of them. Good news, though, I met my writing goals for the month. That alone is an accomplishment to be proud of.
What does this have to do with Ze Frank, you ask? Or maybe you didn’t. Maybe you just thought, way to finish the alphabet, Tonette. There is a link between Ze Frank, the man, the end of this blogging challenge, and my writing journey.
First of all, I love his vlogs and everything he’s got going on his site. I’m a fan of his infotaining TED Talks. The vid I’d like to share with you today is important. Don’t be fooled by the title. I didn’t have some of the crazy kool-aid. And I’m not trying to be ironic.
Here, why don’t you watch it before I explain further. In case you haven’t already seen this piece of awesomeness, please know that there is strong language ahead. Viewer/listener discretion is advised… but it’s so worth it.
This is the end of my April Challenges, yet I feel like I’m just getting started. Ze Frank’s Invocation for Beginnings helps bring everything full circle. I challenged myself to be more awesome. I took on a write-a-palooza that would make a normal person wince. However, in my quest for awesomeness, I have determined that normal isn’t in the cards for me or anyone who chooses the path of creativity.
Thirty days later, I’m excited, exhausted, happy, humbled, and hungry for more. More punishment? The delicious masochism of my writing journey keeps me on my toes. I don’t want to place unrealistic goals on myself but I want to stretch the limits of my abilities and my wild imaginings. If the only person holding me back is me and I have the power over what comes next, then the only way is forward.
To be or not to be.
I choose to be.
I am the captain of my fate, the master of my soul.
But I have miles to go before I sleep and with every step taken, I rage against the dying of the light.
This isn’t the end but only the beginning. A new challenge or opportunity, the start of the next stage in my writing journey. What’s next for me? Tomorrow is the Mid-Week Check-In for Round of Words in 80 Days. New month, some new goals, some continuous, all in forward motion.
Thanks for joining me this month. I hope to see you next month and beyond.
There is so much to do, so much to write, and I can’t wait.
Roger Ebert and Jane Henson. Two names familiar to this child of the 80’s. They will be remembered for their contributions to the artistic community. I watched ‘Siskel & Ebert’ several years sooner than I probably should have. I gained an appreciation for the moving picture around the same time I knew I was going to be a writer someday. I’m a huge fan of movies and I owe a great deal of that to their show.
In honor of our theme letter and as a nod to another creative influence in my life, Jane Henson, today I think about a time when imaginations ran wild and all you had to to was walk over to your television and turn it on (or for those of us who got lucky and had a clicker. Remember those? Yay for old school retro tech.)
The words to this song echo the push and pull, the ebb and flow of my writing process this month. There’s time for fun, but there’s also time to get down to work. A week into my write-a-palooza, I hope to maintain such a balance so as to avoid burn out and to ensure that, above all else, I enjoy the writing journey as much as the end result.
Dance your cares away
*clap clap*
Worry’s for another day Let the music play
*clap clap*
Down at Fraggle Rock
Work your cares away Dancing’s for another day
Let the Fraggles play
Dance your cares away
*clap clap*
Worry’s for another day Let the music play
*clap clap*
Down at Fraggle Rock
Are you a ‘child at heart’? What bits of nostalgia do you keep close as you travel along your writing journey? Are you a work hard, play harder type of person, or do you stick to extremes? Let’s not forget to have fun in all that we do. Writing’s good for soul. You should enjoy it. Maybe even dance your cares away. *clap clap*
Textploits of the Writerly Persuasion 