Monday, May 15, 2017

Progress Report: Breathing Again

The Goal = 23 stories written - and finished! - for Story A Day in May

Stories Completed So Far = 10

Stories Still To Go = 13

Well, I'm about halfway through the Story A Day Challenge, and honestly? I'm loving it.

Don't get me wrong, it's not easy. Some of my stories stink. Two - so far - might actually be scenes for a bigger project, like a novella or novel (what?! no, no, no! focus, woman, focus!) And some days I stare at the blank notebook page - yes, I'm going old school - and wish I hadn't gotten out of bed. Ever.

But then there's the story I revised and submitted already. And the handful I can definitely see myself returning to, revising. And the biggest benefit so far?

Finding my way back to creativity, to reviving a part of myself that was struggling to breathe, that was drowning beneath layers upon layers of anxiety and doubt, fear and normalcy. Now, when I finish a story, a sense of peace, of completeness, of rightness fills me, and I believe it's because - to paraphrase something Julie Duffy said in one of her Story A Day podcasts - I've done the thing that makes me, me. Writing.

44 comments:

  1. Well done! This really sounds like a great challenge to get one's focus back on writing and let your creativity come out to play.

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    1. Thank you! It really is amazing how much more connected I feel to my creativity again.

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  2. That is amazing! Good for you. Even if some are duds, that means some are gems.

    Way to go, Madeline!

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    1. Thanks so much, Maria! It's funny, because in the past, I would've been really disappointed with the duds, thinking I failed, etc. Now, even though I'm not necessarily pleased with them, I can see them for what they are - creative exercises - then I move on.

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  3. That's great! If it got you writing again, then that was the main goal, right? And you'll have a few things you can work with to boot.

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  4. It's great that you've got some gems in there, despite a couple of not-so-good ones. The act of writing comes first, and then in June you can assess what you've got. Good job so far!

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    1. It's going to be a creative and productive summer around here! :)

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  5. Sounds like this challenge is working for you. Awesome!

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  6. Glad you're enjoying the challenge. Finding your way back to creativity is an amazing perk!

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    1. That was my main reason for participating in the challenge. I hoped for some stories I could revise, sure, but it was more about finding my way back to who I believe I truly am.

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  7. Woohoo!!! I'm glad you're enjoying the challenge. It tempted me, but I decided to stick to my WIP and journaling this month.
    I'm super glad that you've renewed your creative energy!

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    1. Thanks, Tyrean! And good luck with your WiP and journaling. Yeh for the month of May! :)

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  8. How wonderful to be inspired!! I want to read them. I bet there are amazing.

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    1. Believe me, some of them are real clunkers. Hopefully, I can shine up a few, get them out into the world eventually. :)

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  9. Getting your creative energy back and some good stories out of it sounds awesome! Good luck with the rest of the challenge!

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    1. Thanks, Sarah. It's nice to feel that creative energy flowing again.

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  10. Congrats! You go girl. That feeling like you have finished a story is wonderful. Glad the creativity is flowing.

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    1. Thanks, Murees! It really does feel wonderful, even if the story is not up for revision.

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  11. You are doing great!! I'm now toying with the idea of trying to do that on my own in June. It would definitely keep my mind busy!

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    1. You could even start now, go through the rest of the month and into June, if you wanted! I believe she runs another session in September if that works better for you. I might do it again then myself. :)

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  12. Congrats. I don't think I could do it. You must have a magic wand nearby.

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. I do have a magic wand! From Harry Potter World. Maybe waving it around, coming up with a few spells will amp up the creativity even more. :)

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  13. That's so awesome! I'm so proud of you. You are killing it!

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  14. Glad to hear you're back in a great place. This month seems to have done wonders for your creativity. Good luck for getting to the end!

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    1. It really has, Nick. But I'll take all the good luck I can get - there's still a long way to go until the end of the month.

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  15. That's awesome! I love that feeling. Keep on pushing forward. You can do it! :)

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  16. Wooohooo! I'm so glad to hear you're doing well with your stories! Yay for writing and I hope things keep encouraging your creativity!

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    1. Thanks so much, Loni! And I agree - yay for writing and for the things that encourage creativity! :)

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  17. Love it! You make me want to take up the challenge...in the distant future...when I can afford the time. =) Kick that creativity into high gear and take the world by storm, eh?

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    1. I'm kicking the creativity as high and as hard as I can...but in a good way, of course. I don't want to hurt it or anything. :)

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  18. so excited for you, regaining your breath and kicking butt writing so many stories! way to go and keep it up!

    Tara Tyler Talks

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  19. Oh, I love the last line of this post! Exactly!!
    So glad to read the challenge is working for you - congrats on those completed stories. And one already submitted?! Yay!!
    Good luck with the rest of the month. Write, write, write. :)

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  20. That sounds great. I always feel happier when I've spent a couple of hours writing. I need to do more of it or at least write more regularly.

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    1. For me, it's become more about writing regularly - working that creative muscle - than for how long I write during each session. That's the case in the creating and drafting stages anyway. Revisions are a whole other story. :)

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  21. Fantastic energy. Great post. Loved it.

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