Enough with planning to write every day. Enough with big dreams of writing a novel, or collection of short stories. Enough with thinking writing is my art, despite the fact that I almost never write (unless you count Facebook, or emails or memos or charting, which you do not). I am committing myself to this:
Following the book The Daily Writer by Fred White, I will do an exercise a day (a la Julie & Julia, but not as committed, or thorough). I am not setting any restrictions or guidelines (ex. Must write for 20 minutes. Must publish complete piece. Must, must must...). Just that I do it. Half-assed is fine. Whole-assed is better. No-assed is unacceptable. If you are following my blog and observe more than one day of no-assedness, call me on it. I'll owe you a drink in Santa Cruz.
By-the-way; Fred's book contains a year's worth of exercises plus one day for some reason. Maybe to kick off the following year. By this time next year I will have become:
a) A much better writer
b) An incredible writer
c) A miserable alcoholic as a result of buying numerous rounds of drinks from my blog followers.
d) Completely fed up with Fred and his exercises
e) All of the above
Thanks for checking in and please feel free to join me in attempting these exercises AND posting your attempts here. I may block you if you get show-offy though.
Love,
Laure
Laure, I applaud your commitment and I really enjoyed this piece. Honest in your vulnerability and also edgy, a great combination. Five weeks ago, maybe six now, I gave up drinking coffee, one day at a time. It works! And this week, with daily accountability to a friend, I'm walking every day. Thanks for letting us know you're doing this.
ReplyDeleteSara Bragin
Keep reminding us!
ReplyDeleteSara
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Sara. Congratulations on your success in kicking one habit and cultivating another.
ReplyDeleteI WILL keep reminding you and hope you post the results of one of the exercises here in the future!