The proper words in the proper places are the true definition of style. – Jonathan Swift



Falling behind in writing is easy. It is something that happens with many procrastinators like myself. It is one of the many reasons I have yet to win a nanowrimo. It is one of the many reasons, I don’t have a book out. The path goes like this fall behind, lose focus, delay starting again, then give up. Apologize to self and possible readers, then start again on new project. I wrote in a previous post that I will be writing “At Least 100 words” and post them every day. I didn’t add that the exceptions will be the weekends. I didn’t consider my other writing projects.
Strange enough I estimate I write at least 500 new words a day, in various places not meant for readers. These words are usually in my morning page journal. Every writer has one, sometimes we call them different names, but we all need the brain dump. To clear our minds before creating readable fiction or non-fiction. Mine is a Baron Fig hardcover notebook. Last years book was dark gray, this year’s book is light gray. It is dotted instead of lined. I never thought I could write words on a dot grid page, but I find that it is easier than the lined book, sometimes. Bad penmanship is a peeve of mine. However, it has to happened sometimes like brain dumps, so the good penmanship and writing can follow. The pages of the notebook are really nice, I bleed-through proofed or something. I am not getting anything from Baron Fig except the notebooks, planner and bag I paid for. There are other decent quality notebooks in the world, my kid likes moleskin and there is Leuchtturm 1917, Rhoda and others that can work for anyone’s journal/writing/planning needs. Some even cost under $20.00. The brands mentioned above are $20.00 above depending on size. It all depends on what you are willing to spend for yourself. All the books have pros and cons, I use BF and will use it as long as I can but there are things I wish they would add to product, like two ribbons in planner, and pockets at the end of book.
“At Least 100 Words” need to have some reason to be posted besides the random thoughts of an unpublished writer. I am willing to take suggestions from anyone place them in the comment, below.
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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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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.