© 2013 the Jotter’s Joint
I have to start this post with a big THANK YOU to Letizia of reading interrupted, who’s recent post, Revisiting The Jefferson Bible, led her to her first blog post. Also, it led her down the path of checking out the first blog post of her followers.
When she commented on my first post it made me wonder what I’d said, what I’d been thinking almost two years ago. Reading it made me laugh. It made me smile. It made me remember.
Quite honestly, it nearly brought me to tears. Not because it was prolific or special, but it captured my feeling, my desire, my dream.
I am inspired by my intentions and hopes from that first post.
I was optimistic, and let’s face it, naïve, which of course is the beauty of beginnings.
Amazing how powerful and happy I felt about writing before I tried to incorporate ALL the advice in cyberspace or build a platform using social media. I was overwhelmed by self-imposed pressure to live up to an ideal of a writer, not defined by me, when all I wanted to do was tell a story.
Writing, and consequently blogging, lost the shiny new exterior because stats were tripping me up, checking the number of blog hits or new followers. Worrying that I needed to change to increase my stats.
Writing became about pleasing others instead of pleasing me. My blog posts were about getting attention, catering to an audience. I didn’t know. I see the time and care I put into those first posts because I was more concerned with liking what I wrote rather than having it liked.
Maybe you can tell by my personal marveling that I’ve been in the state of quitting writing for months now. If you recall, I shelved my novel recently.
Sammy, my writing partner, whom I love and adore, has been encouraging me and with each card, email, and phone call, I’d postpone my departure from the writing world one more day. I’d hold of giving up my title of writer for one more week.
She’ll be glad to read that I’m trying to work this out (albeit publicly) as opposed to avoiding the writing conversation.
And then, as if they’d planned it, another blogger buddy, Britt of A Physical Perspective, posted a renewed commitment to her writing dreams. I am moved by her revelation and hope for the new year. Thank you, as well Britt.
Stories connect us. Good stories reveal something about who we are or what’s important to us. Letizia and Britt’s stories serve as great reminders. Sammy’s investment in me keeps me sane. These events are a catalyst for creation. My muse is knocking. I’m tingly like someone sprinkled fairy dust.
So even though I didn’t make any resolutions for 2014, I am seriously considering making this a year of renewal … a year of remembering where I started … a year of celebrating where I am headed.
Which means, I am a writer, telling stories for me, while hoping others will love them too and join me on the journey.
I wish all my artistic and wordsmith friends a year of renewal!
the Jotter's Joint 