Category: Musings

At Least 100 words #2

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Starting this challenge is difficult. I had an idea to randomly expound on but then decided to get some facts. My desire to inform and educate is working against me. I had stated in previous post that I like to write objectively instead of subjective. However, most of my post are subjective. It is mostly about me and what I’m doing, thinking etc. Well I’m fascinating and you would know that if you read any of my blogs.

When I made the bold statement to write and post at least 100 words on the JCH Universe. I didn’t think about how and what I would be writing about. So,

I got stuck. This second idea for this post was supposed to be on writing prompts. Tried and true method to tap into a writer’s flow.  I searched far and wide for one that felt would be good for the next 100 words.  I soon realized that like almost everything else in the world, there are good prompts and less good prompts.  Which means it is a tomato/tomaato type thing.  I have borrowed and collected prompts from all over the internet.  Some of these entries will be prompts and everyone will get their props.  Because I am not a thief.   

Hopefully I would develop better skills with this project.

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At Least 100 Words #1

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This is the result of essay #7. Writing and posting at least 100 words or more is a practice to use habit to spark inspiration. For the next several posts like this I will be reminding myself and you that about this challenge. I am a writer who does not write. I was seriously ill and hospitalized for the last 3 months, with the corona-virus and pneumonia. The fact that corona-virus is on the rise, mutating and airborne is a special fear that haunts me. Living with uncertainty is a terrible for many people and still we survive.

I normally have a quote that may resonate with my first paragraph at least. I don’t have one. I haven’t been looking at quotes for a few weeks. I have at least two days to find the quotes I want for next week. I think they should be overall themed but not feeling it yet. I think of myself as a borderline insomniac. My definition is that I can sleep, when I do sleep, and it is really easy to be up all night. Especially when I am doing something  I like. I was reading some guilty pleasure books. Which is embarrassing because I did tell myself I would start reading more edifying books.   As time moves on, sometimes I get that feeling that I am getting dumb.  It is partly my fault I do actively ignore current events and the state of world whenever I can.   Having the knowledge that the government in power has no concern for the people, they claim to respect and protect, is off putting at best, disastrous at worst.  It is another horrifying fear, that must be dealt with daily. 

I wish I could write this more eloquently on this topic, but I believe that there are many people on the internet doing just that.  I can only comment on how it is affecting me, personally.  I don’t consider other alternatives and therefore I manage. 

I don’t remember if I wrote it in essay #7 or not but I signed in for Camp Nanowrimo.  I borrowed the banner from the website.  It is the third week. I want to be positive about my writing, but it is difficult.  In the past, I would be more upset with my process.  I have a conflict issue in the story. It is hindering the narrative.  I should probably leave it alone and move to another section of the story, but I keep poking at it and coming up with nothing.  The experts I have listened to or read in the past are shaking their heads at my stubbornness.  My goal for camp was 30,000 words.  The story is supposed to be part of an anthology I want to put together.   I’m afraid it is possible the story is under-developed.  

This is one of my many writing dilemmas.    If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.

Essay #7

I am rare, and there is value in all rarity; therefore, I am valuable

-Og Mandino

During the writing of Essay #6, I felt it got away from me.   This is a sad confession for a writer.  My goals are for you the reader to be inspired, entertained, and informed.  To get something of value in exchange for the few or several minutes it takes to read this post.  I started essay #7 with the initial idea of making my intentions for the blog and writing career clear, for myself and others. So, anyone who read the content would understand…

It got away from me again.  Then it seems like my life attempted to get away from me.  I wasn’t alone.  But it isn’t a consolation.  I got sick with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  I had hypoxemic respiratory failure.  I was in the hospital for 3 months.  I’m still recovering.  I was released from the hospital with oxygen.  I can barely walk without going out of breath.  Despite all that, I am grateful that this is the only thing wrong with me. I pray for the others that are in similar or worse situations.  I am humbled to know that other people, not my family prayed for me.

egyptian blue lotus

My experience in the hospital was intense.  I wrote about it but I’m not ready to share.  I am still getting the threads of my life together.  This pandemic shredded it.  I have been unemployed since I was admitted to the hospital in the last few days of March 2020.  Even if I get off the oxygen, I don’t think I can go back to the job because of the physical activity it requires.  The realization of many things can be overwhelming, remember the quote above.

These are the things I am doing to feel that I am not only healing physically but moving forward:

I make and keep appointments with my doctors.  The lack of self-care is a real thing and not just a health craze and clickbait.  I let myself fall through the cracks and now since almost dying, I must work to get better and maintain that wellness.

Starting next week, I will be posting along with quotes for writers, I am challenging myself to write at least 100 words and post them.  I started this post in February, came back to it in June.  I have waited almost seven days to re-read and complete it.  I am giving myself a pass because of health issues and the world.  However, at the end of the week, it is easy for the negative feelings to rise when nothing of value is accomplished.

At first, many of us thought that the lockdown would mean time to be creative.   It worked for some and then there were people like me, who were already struggling the added stress due to the state of the world did not help and I was sick.

The previous challenges have been 500 words, then 500+ words, I have even gone up to 750.  I’m started lower than usual because I am trying to meld habit with inspiration again.  When inspiration fails, the habit will take over and vice versa.  I learned about that from great author Octavia Butler.   How can I go wrong?

Another thing I must do is read something uplifting, read something educational, and read something true.  If I am lucky, I will be able to stay in tune with my work.  I have been stalling on reviews.

The beginning of the year was difficult.  I am glad to be alive. I believe my life has a purpose and this thing I do here is my talent.  I may never be a best seller or reach the views of millions in my lifetime.  I post my essays for the few and that one who will read it and be happy, that one who would read it and be inspired to write better and that one who will read it and not feel alone.   We are all rare and we all have value.

 

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