When I woke this morning – Tuesday September 2nd – my body refused to co-operate. I was ready to give up all my writing challenges and escape. Does that make any sense?
Maybe it doesn’t if you read my last post on here… my last Insecure Writer’s Support Group post, when I wrote about the inspiration that keeps me going. However, it’s the first Wednesday of the month again and I have the doubts and the fears that we are meant to have conquered. Seems I am back to the struggle stage.
Writing over the last month had been more about escaping into research… and into other worlds = MMORPGs – gaming. I had great plans for September: write at least one complete story in the Gossamer Flames series every week of the month. Not a lot in comparison with the 100k in 100 days Challenge that I’m failing at miserably and as usual. But this should be so much easier as it’s over a shorter period – just a month. It’s also less intensive than the A to Z Challenge, although that inspired many of the shorts in Gossamer Flames.
Creating a story a week is one bit of pressure that I have set for myself as part of the MS Challenge that runs in September – my Support Page is at https://www.justgiving.com/ChallengeMS2761/ . And two days in I was thinking of giving up, even if it is a central part of my Life Challenge… fighting the MonSter that wants my Life but mustn’t win.
If I have written four complete tales, and edited them, by the end of the month then I will have reached one goal – although some sponsorship would be a bonus.
And thanks to a comment, I’m re-inspired. The words made me visit a fascinating blogsite, where I read a wonderful article on Spirals http://jazzfeathersjewellery.wordpress.com/2014/03/08/spirals/. Following the trail to its creative conclusion, I bought my long-suffering wife a well-deserved present.
Steampunk Heart from JazzFeathers
In case you hadn’t realised, this is my monthly post in IWSG and the awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG will be Laura at My Baffling Brain, mark Koopmans, Shah Wharton, and Sheena-Kay Graham. And it’s IWSG’s three year anniversary of posting!
Oh you were expecting something else. Were you thinking I meant the Ice Bucket Challenge when I said Challenge in the title?
Yes that has dominated the media and is a worthy cause for ALS alias motor neurone disease, another neurological nightmare. Ice Water is also meant to be good for MS, except something cold like water sends me into spasms. If challenged I would sign the cheque and be inspired by Patrick Stewart’s Ice Bucket Challenge, jst as the Huffington Post were http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/22/patrick-stewart-ice-bucket-challenge-video_n_5701036.html.
There is also a link on the Huffington Post report to Benedict Cumberbatch who showed another way to NOT evade the Ice Bucket Challenge. How to douse a dragon?
Hi Roland. Thanks so much for the kind worlds on my blog. I was so surprise it was you who bought my steampunk heart, but I’m happy it goes to you. This si one of my favourite pieces.
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Hi Sarah. As soon as I saw the jewellery, I knew that I wanted to buy a piece for my wife. I let her choose but was pleased with her choice – very appropriate… not just because some of my writing has a touch of steam-punk to it. She loved the colours as well as the heart & key.
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Aloha Roland!
Good luck with your goals this month – and best wishes on your health – which is so much more important 🙂
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Thanks Mark… and health will be my priority 🙂
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Roland, you are an inspiration! Despite your setback yesterday, here you are blogging away. I guess that’s life, right? You fall down then haul yourself up and keep on going. Best wishes on your own challenge.
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Thanks Diane. I feel that I need to keep blogging – not just because of my commitment to IWSG, but also to my faithful readers like you. Readers are a writer’s inspiration, when we talk. I’m just aware that I hadn’t written anything for a month, and that fed both the feeling of dejection and the desire to write. Just need to keep struggling on.
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Hope you can stick to it and end the month with four new stories.
I didn’t do the challenge – I sent money. Warmer.
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Glad you stayed warm, Alex. Did you use the ice-cubes like a celebrity? 😉 I need to stick to this challenge so will keep everyone updated.
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Hi Roland, one story a week is a bit of a pressure situation. Good luck with your goals. Hope your health is better.
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Thanks for the good wishes, Rachna. Pressure, yes. But not compared with some other challenges… that I’ve slipped up over. Will post after each week to update my progress.
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Sounds like you’re getting more writing done than I am. All the power to you! I think doubt is a healthy part of being a writer. It keeps us honest. Just push forward, my friend!
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You’re still finding time to read and that is crucial to creativity. Are you any nearer the special bookcase, TK? 🙂
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