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Here’s the start of week two in this series of posts on trying to become a writer (from the perspective of a small potato starting from the ground up). I’m trying to end each day by answering the following questions, in hopes they will help keep me taking small steps toward my target, and not be so prone to tangents, or being unbalanced in my efforts.
What Did I Accomplish Today to Be a Writer?
I wrote.
I hope that doesn’t sound sarcastic. I’m saying, “I wrote”, because sometimes I look back at the day and completely forget what I’ve accomplished. So often, my eyes are on what didn’t get done.
Near the start of my day, I I completed Day 8 of the 100 Words a Day Writing Challenge 2024 through LA Writer’s Lab. On this round, I’m trying to get back to having a daily journal. Once I start writing, its almost always easy for me to keep going; but starting takes some work. This daily challenge helps me overcome some hurdles in my heart and just get my notebook out and get going.
Stuff I find myself saying: I should probably get internet service set up.
-Jody Susan
How Am I Balancing the Different Aspects of Being a Writer?
I’m still trying to maintain a schedule by breaking the day into chunks. I used different colors of painter’s tape on the fridge to signify different aspects of my day:
The one-hundred-word challenge is part of my early morning routine.
From 8 to 11 a.m. I try to write. This morning I joined a group at 8, who is also writing. I can see the value in having a writing “appointment” – it helps me not keep putting my session off by procrastinating.
What I’m Doing About Building a Body of Work as a Writer
I’m still working on my song project – Hopefully I’ll be sharing more on that in the near future – if I get the nerve.
What I’m Doing to Complete My Manuscripts as a Writer
I agreed to schedule a call with a woman who helps people in the writing process and also spoke with someone who is going over my last manuscript to get feedback.
What I’m Doing to Grow My Website as a Writer
I’m trying to get back on track with my Project 24 coursework. At times I get overwhelmed with all the things I don’t know, and how much technology changes; but I’m trying to plod away and keep making progress toward at least completing the video courses and trying my best to implement the tips from Income School.
What I’m Doing to Build My Blog as a Writer
Here I am typing away at Day 8. A big reason for me doing this is also to be able to write more consistent and concise articles. I tend to ramble, especially when I’ve been bottling words up inside for too long. By posting every day, I’m feeling a little more like a pot with its lid tilted to steadily let out steam, instead of a pressure cooker, in danger of exploding out its contents.
Not so Fun Fact About Me: I set my keys down somewhere today, and I have no idea where. Good thing I’ve got a spare. I probably put it in one of the many boxes still awaiting a moment of my attention.
What I’m Doing About Networking as a Writer
This afternoon I met with a group of fellow-writers who connected during Al Watt’s The 90-day Memoir class. We decided to keep meeting in order to support each other’s work.
I tend to get intimidated by that sort of thing; but I enjoyed hearing other people’s experiences and could commiserate with their struggles.
What I’m Doing About Monetization as a Writer
Just spending money. I realized today that I really probably do need internet. I was trying to slide by with phone data and stopping by places with free Wi-Fi to avoid yet another monthly charge; but its not too practical, so I suppose I’ll be signing up and spending more. Se la vie!
Trivia Question: Do you know how to spell that French phrase? If you do, please leave your answers in the comment section. I can neither confirm, nor deny my accuracy.
What I’m Doing About Social Media as a Writer
I wasn’t as red as a radish; but I was definitely feeling my face get rosy when I posted another Instagram video in my random potato series. I’m sticking it out there for the world to see (or to ignore), since I already filmed these; but in the future, I think I may make a switch to just having text with background music.
I want to be more brave about stepping out of my box; but I also want to recognize when some things just aren’t for me. I’m still weighing that decision.
What I’m Doing About Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Writer
I’m trying to figure out how to keep my writing from becoming redundant when I post. I want to write for people; but there is a sense of pressure to write for an algorithm (is that the right word choice?)
I also find myself repeating phrases, while making variations in the words, just to cater to the multi-faceted way people ask questions, so that search engines will see my content is relevant.
I want to be wise about the way search engines work; but I don’t want this aspect to become all-consuming. Besides that, I want my words to be engaging, not something that sounds like it was written by a machine for a machine.
What I’m Doing to Stay Organized as a Writer
If I’m working on a project, I can get lost in the shuffle of my papers or computer files. I like to have tangible objects I can see and move – switching the order as I see fit.
For instance, in today’s project, I wrote out each aspect onto an index card and used painter’s tape to attach them to the wall, so they could be moved around and make sense.
Seeing everything at once helps lessen confusion.
Looking Back at My Writing Journey
I grabbed these index cards out of my recipe box (which I’m so glad to have access to once again). There were just enough to complete my “wall” project; plus, this one.
I haven’t sketched in so long and didn’t finish this, from a photo of a hike up St. Mary’s Glacier when I was five.
The image brings to remembrance the scripture verse, Psalm 61:2: “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
I was sitting on a giant rock; but the way it’s drawn here, I look a little more like I’m stranded on a desert island, which is quite a coincidence, considering my song project is set to a certain tune from an old TV show.
Any guesses about what that show might be?
Comment down below, if you think you can get the answer.
Any Other Thoughts on Becoming a Writer, Random Rants, Tales, or Trials…
Tomorrow, I’m supposed to share my work with the writing group I just joined. I’m kind of nervous about doing that, because it’s my first time to take a turn – plus I still haven’t gotten a printer to generate copies for everybody.
Like with the internet, I haven’t made a decision about buying one. Sometimes I don’t think printers are worth the hassle and would rather just go get my pages copied elsewhere.
If I do get one, it will just be the kind with toner, because I don’t like the “tone” the kind with ink tend to take when they refuse to work without magenta…
Thanks for reading, Jody Susan
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