Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Class Begins


I write early in the morning, before the day begins for most people. I have spent the last two weeks establishing a writing routine, so that when the Write Now class with Amanda Mays began this habit would already be partially formed.

I have been setting my alarm for 5 a.m. each day. The first week I bounded out of bed as soon as the alarm went off, excited to get writing. The second week it took a full five minutes for the desire to write and the sleepy body to come to an agreement that it would be good to get out of bed.

Despite that five minute delay I have been getting up and writing every day at a set time. I am not trying to squeeze in 15 minutes of writing somewhere between walking the dogs, grocery shopping and laundry.

Now that I have made writing a priority, the first thing I do instead of the last, I have to say the whole day is filled with joy because I am making time to do something that I love.

Monday morning the first lesson came for class; acknowledge your fears and write them down. What? I don't have any fears, I just want to establish a daily writing routine with some nice little writing prompts for each day. I don't want to write about my fears.

Then the voice of reason spoke up. "You are taking this class so you can become a better writer, establish a daily writing routine and face your fears about writing. You must have fears or you would have been doing all this much sooner. "

Well ok, there may be one or two fears that should be addressed.

I think my biggest fear is that I don't know where to go with my writing. I am someone who likes to have a purpose for whatever I am doing or else it seems like wasted time. I know that if I didn't have my blog to write and photograph for, and then share with my readers there would be no motivation for me to write or to photograph. I am not a keep a journal for my personal thoughts kind of person. Yet shouldn't I be striving for something more than just writing a blog? If you write isn't your end goal to write a book and make some money?

What if I don't want to write a book, at least not a novel. Now a book of short stories might be a possibility. I don't want to lose artistic control and be told what I should do. That is what I love about my blog, I can write whatever I want with complete freedom. Then I thought, I am taking this class and I am being told what to write about and I am doing it, so maybe this is shaping me for the future.

My other fear would be, what if my writing voice disappears. It has happened before when life has gotten busy and there was little time to think let alone write. This is where establishing my 5 a.m. writing routine will be essential. There are no interferences this early in the morning. The test will be when we are traveling. This is usually when I lose my writing voice. I am pretty sure though that my husband will not appreciate the hotel desk lamp shining brightly at 5 a.m.. This can be remedied if I have all my writing stuff together and go down to the lobby or breakfast room, I can easily get an hour of writing in before the rest of the world wakes up.

I am enjoying this daily writing practice much too much to let anything get in my way at this point. Over the next four weeks the daily writing will get firmly cemented into place and who knows what will happen from there.

I must put my fears aside, trust the process and enjoy seeing where this journey takes me.



19 comments:

the habit of being said...

I do so well with getting up before everyone else in the fall/winter but come summer, we're all sleepyheads around here (I might have the total opposite of seasonal affective disorder!). Glad to see you've been doing it for two weeks and finding joy in it :)

~alm

Sandra said...

It sound as if you're getting into a nice writing routine! It will be fun to see how things develop!

Anonymous said...

Once upon a time I was a morning person, but lately I seem to stay up much later at night so I don't get up as early as I used to. I look forward to reading you about where your writing journey takes you.

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Congratulations on your perseverance once you have created a habit it is less easy to break. It sounds to me that you know what you want and where you are going. It has to be about you and your needs and wants...

sweetbriardreams said...

Keep at it and the routine will all fit into place. I really need to get my routine in gear to get on with my Grandad's book, but with the amount of paper I have to go through makes me procrastinate to much! Take care xx

Helen said...

Sounds like you've got into a great routine. I'm a morning person.

Unknown said...

You GO girl!
I am SO not a morning person & would have to be in bed by 7 to get up at 5! LOL!

Lisa Gordon said...

Sometimes, I think that establishing the routine is half the battle (or more!).
I look forward to reading about your progress here.

Michelle said...

I think a great routine is key.

cheryl Crotty said...

Setting aside the time is such a good idea. I find with creative matters discipline is key and sometimes the only way to get it is to get up early. You are doing such a nice thing for yourself.

nancyjean said...

Hi Sarah ... such a great idea to set time aside for what you love. I always wake early before the house starts to stir and do something just for myself ... it could be knitting, cross stitching, photography edits, blogging ... whatever I want. It sure does bring a great start to my day! sounds like you are really going to enjoy your class!

Jeanne said...

Hi Sarah! So fun to start this class and it looks as if it is giving you alot of focus and fun ! This in itself is a great goal I think. Such a wonderful thing to find a passionate interest as your daughter is growing up and in the process of leaving home. I have taken several journaling classes and have enjoyed my writing for this, but a writing class sounds really fun. Enjoy! and we will be enjoying your developing writing skills too!

Lynne said...

I appreciate your writing goal intentions . . . good for you Sarah . . .

amy of studio four corners said...

I admire your willingness to go forward and pursue your goal...letting the process decide your direction. And you are so right - if this is something that brings you joy, it is good that you are making it a priority...your talent in both writing and photography is such a wonderful gift

Donna Hopkins said...

Sarah, I am excited for you that you are beginning this class and making your writing a priority. I agree with Amy . . . you have a gift in your photography and your writing . . . and it brings me great pleasure that you share your gift. I share many of the same fears you express. I often lament, what next? What should I DO with my photography? Should I try to have my work published? Seek licensing agreements? Submit to magazines? Take on commercial work? And then my very best friend reminds me that it is perfectly okay to just let my picture taking BE . . . my means of sharing myself with the world. I'll look forward to your writing, your realizations, and always your authentic and creative spirit. I'm a morning person, too - so I'll be thinking of you, with pen in hand, at 5am!

Suburban Girl said...

Good for you! That is discipline to get up early. Oh, I detest writing, so that would just keep me in bed longer to avoid it. I am glad you are off to a good start and hope you learn much from your class.

Ahayes1225 said...

Wonderful, it is all about bringing joy to your day. It is so nice that you found yours.

Roxi H said...

Oh man, I know what you mean."I am someone who likes to have a purpose for whatever I am doing or else it seems like wasted time." This thought stops me far too often. A goal would help, but sometimes I think that can put undo pressure on me too. So glad it's makes for a happy day for you. Have a great week end!

Electric | Journal said...

It sounds as though you're well on your way to a routine... congratulations! For me it's often a place, not a time, that drives inspiration. I can always write at our cabin, surrounded by peace and quiet. But the rest of the time, it's a struggle. Perhaps I'll try your approach: make writing the start of my day, every day. Thanks for sharing this journey.