For some reason, that sounds like a bad country song to me. But I digress. Already. I've had this blog for a long time. I've been very active, blogging almost every day, then it will sit dormant, like a long forgotten toy stuck in your parent's attic.
I'm starting over. But this time, no schedule, no pressure to write every day. I'm only going to write when I want to. And I'm going to write about whatever I want. This thing is not going to have any dress code or standard (setting a high bar for myself here, huh?).
But to the point, today I'd like to write about writing. I started drafting the outline to a book about 3 months ago, maybe less, and started a rough draft last week. Some of you that know me know that I've wanted to be a novelist longer than I've been able to drive (which is almost 18 years now). But I've either been "too busy" or "scared" or some other lame excuse that prevented me from sitting at my computer for an hour or three and pounding out a couple hundred or so words.
A few months ago, a good friend of mine that I'll call J, told me not to be scared. And he said that even though whatever it was that scared me may be legitimate, if God wants me to write, he'll give me the ideas and the words to put on paper (or on the word processor screen at this point). He told me just to step out there and do my best and the very worst thing that could happen would be that I write novels the rest of my life that never get published.
That made sense. I am able to stay very focused on just about anything, as long as I'm not too tired. I'm the guy that can drive a flat, straight highway for hours and find it enjoyable. I'm the guy that can research just about anything and find it interesting. But, in my head, I have so much I feel like I should say. So much I want to say. So much I am required to say. So much to say that sometimes it overwhelms me and I don't know how to shut it out.
So, I started writing... which I already mentioned. I put aside my fears (Does this suck? Is it a bad idea? What will my parents/family/friends/random people who know me think? What if I never get published?) and I wrote, just for the sheer enjoyment of using a gift I feel like God gave me - to construct a story and put words on paper.
The first night, my goal was 250 words. I wrote 1257. The second night, my goal was 750 words (for a total of 2007 words). I ended with 2468 words (which is 1211 words). Last night my goal was again 750 words (which would put me at 3218). When I saved my work last night, I think I was at almost 3400. Every time I've sat down to write, I've gone past my goal.
So, for the few people who may actually read this, I pose a questions. What are you dreaming about that you're too "busy" or "scared" to try? Why not step in the box and swing the bat a few times? You may be surprised what happens.
Written while listening to:
Dandelions - Five Iron Frenzy
Paranormal Activity - Grave Robber
Sleep Long - Operation Ivy
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