My Journey to Become a Writer 02/26/2024 Post #57

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I’m still processing what I learned at the Indiana Writing Workshop on Saturday. My brain was pretty spent by the end of the day; but by the next morning, I was full of ideas.

What Did I Accomplish Today to Be a Writer?

I did Day 57 of the 100 Words a Day Writing Challenge 2024 through LA Writer’s Lab.  

I spent most of the day sorting through paperwork and getting it filed. I’ve been scattered in so many places these last five years that facing this mound of chaos and attempting to put it into some semblance of order has been something I’ve dreaded; but I’m sure glad to see it beginning to get done.

My favorite part was making a Clever Crate into a “manuscript machine” by using different colored hanging folders for Acts 1, 2, & 3, then having colors within that for various chapters. I intend to cut my manuscript down to a more manageable size, and I’m hoping this new system will help me keep things from getting too confusing.

This afternoon was my memoir class. We updated each other on our individual progress, then two members shared their work. We took turns giving feedback and asking clarifying questions. All of us were in a class together this Fall, led by Al Watt, and since finishing, we’ve decided to continue to share our work with one another.

I’ve been listening to more audiobooks lately, trying to get an idea of how I want to do mine. It has encouraged me that even when I haven’t necessarily liked the author’s voice, my instinct is that I would still prefer that the writer also be the reader, instead of having some random actor. Maybe that principle will help me feel less apologetic about the way I sound, if I ever do get around to recording mine.

What Am I Afraid of Doing Next in My Journey as a Writer?

I just looked at Google Analytics and got a little sad. Seeing the numbers makes me think maybe this is all a waste of time; but I still believe the discipline of daily posts is good for building a body of work, not to mention a solid work-ethic, so I’m going to keep typing away.

Even worse than the paltry numbers is the fear that I might appear to be something I’m not, since people reading this can’t necessarily see what kind of traffic I’m generating and might mistakenly think I’m some sort of success. I can openly and honestly say at this point that isn’t the case; but my motive all along has been to give an account of a “small potato starting from the ground up”, so I might as well keep it real.

Stuff I find myself saying:  This is pathetic.

– Jody Susan

Well, that’s all I’ve got for now.

Thanks for reading what I’m writing,

Jody Susan

I’m reminding myself to keep moving forward. If you need motivation in that realm, I’d encourage you to read the article below:

Jody

I'm not sure what to say here: I once got second place in a dog-look-alike-contest? I know how to fold a fitted sheet? I'm pretty much a poster child for social backwardness - at least as far as social media is concerned; but I have some stories I think I'm supposed to share and am attempting to do that here, in this space.

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