I'm riding high on the triumph of having successfully completed the A to Z challenge at the moment. The feedback I got, the positive comments from other writers I admire and the sense of accomplishment from having stuck with it through 26 pieces of fiction are all keeping me happy and downright giddy.
But just under the surface there a million little nagging fears nipping at me like a school of hungry fish. Will I be able to keep writing? Will any of the people who followed me for the A to Z challenge stick around or will the comment sections go silent again? Was any of the stuff I wrote good or were people just being nice? Their fear inducing questions crowd my ears.
It's enough to make a girl wanna run for cover. Or covers. And a fluffy pillow. You know what I mean.
But I'm trying really hard to parlay this accomplishment into something bigger. An object in motion tends to remain in motion, right? So for the moment, my goal is to write every single day. I'm not demanding quality at the moment, just quantity. Which isn't to say that I'm not going to try, but simply to say that I'm more concerned with getting the writing to exist first. I don't think every one of the 26 pieces I wrote in April were great, but I do think I'm a better writer because I wrote them. They exist. My inner critic didn't win. Those nagging fears didn't take over.
And in the process, I got connected to a whole lot of other people with some pretty amazing things to say. And if I stay connected- keep reading, keep commenting- then maybe I'll be able to make this thing stick.
What do you all think? Did you participate in the A to Z challenge? How did it go? If not, what are you writing and how's that going? Relate to my school of nipping critic fish? Or do your fears take another form? Let me know!
And remember, this is a blog hop so be sure to visit other participants on the LIST!
And remember, this is a blog hop so be sure to visit other participants on the LIST!
From your stories I read over A-Z, I know you have writing talent. And I'm also sure that at least some of your new bloggy friends will stick around. Just keep writing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shell! I hope you'll be one of those new bloggy friends that sticks around! I've had so much fun reading your story this month and I look forward to staying in touch and seeing more.
DeleteI think it's awesome that you wrote 26 different pieces. That is awesome.
ReplyDeleteWriting every day is dedication I'm impressed by. I always tell myself Im going to do that and it rarely works out for me because I am a procrastinator expert.
I just blogged about writing - the ups and downs of it. Happy writing! I wish I was writing. I had just hit the skids when I saw Alex's IWSG so naturally I had to sign up in the hopes I'll jog my brain.
Riann Colton
I think you have great writing skillz Bev!
ReplyDeleteAnd I attempted musically-themed flash fiction for last years challenge, so I know how tricky it is. You did well!
Writer In Transit
I've only just started my blog and came in at the end of the A-Z challenge. I've missed some amazing posts, and want to read your next one. Please keep writing.
ReplyDeleteWill do, Sharon!
DeleteI'm glad I found your blog, Beverly. The secret to keeping your followers is easy and at the same time hard work. Just visit them as often as you can, and soon they'll grow to appreciate your support and will reciprocate, I'm sure. Happy IWSG!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found me, too, Joylene!
DeleteI'm gonna start by visiting you right now!
I think a lot of writers underestimate how important quantity of writing is. We learn so much and gain so much more confidence when we write a lot.
ReplyDeleteCongrats for surviving the A-Z and getting a whole heap out of it!
Lynda R Young
IWSG co-host
Thanks, Lynda! And thanks for co-hosting this!
DeleteThe more you write, the better you become. Keep that momentum going.
ReplyDeleteAnd just keep interacting with people and you won't lose all those new followers.
Thank you Alex! And to you, the host with the most, an extra huge helping of gratitude!
DeleteI did not do the A-Z challenge (but you already knew that), and to be honest I gave up on commenting on all the ones I read because it was like doing a big Friday Flash read every day for a month. A-Z is a challenge for readers too!
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's the part of A-Z, though. It's more about making writing a normal activity.
"Stopping writing" is hard for me to understand. So is "starting writing". Making up stories is just something one does, like drinking water or noticing the shape of a cloud.
I got overwhelmed with reading, too, and am subsequently uber behind on commenting. But I'm doing my best to catch up where I can.
DeleteThe fact that stopping or starting is strange to you is fantastic, and shows how much further along in your evolution you are. But I'm making real progress by getting those ideas- imperfect as they are- written rather than shooting them down (because I was quite skilled at that for a long time).
And i'm hopeful that, in time, writing will come just as naturally to me.
What a beautiful, upbeat, grateful post! Lovely spirit, Beverly. And,
ReplyDelete'An object in motion tends to remain in motion, right?'
Yup. Go to it, chica.
Yipe. I think my comment just got munched?
ReplyDeleteOop. Comment approval. Well, there ya go, we're three for three now, girl. ;)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the pep, spirit and dedication!
Yeah, I like to read everything and reply first- that way I don't miss any of the precious, precious comments ^_^
DeleteHey Beverly, nice to meet you. I gave the A-Z a miss this year -- I've participated every other year, but know what a time drag it is. Of course there are so many positives too, but I just couldn't face it again. However, I'm so glad you've met great people...some will fall off, but others will stay with you. I love your determination to write every day--stick to that and you can't go wrong.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, too!
DeleteYou had a great month, and you should be proud of the stories you posted!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lara! I'm way behind on catching up on your posts for the months but I will be by to read and comment- cause you rock!
DeleteCongrats Beverly on completing the A-Z challenge. I have never joined it due to work pressures and travel schedules. Writing everyday is a great way of getting the words/story flowing. That's my plan for this month.
ReplyDeleteRachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna's Scriptorium
Getting the writing to exist first - yes! That's exactly what I feel! And I know it's true...write the first draft with your heart, the second, third, fourth, etc., with your head.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up!