On Writing, Failing, and Pressing On...

I originally wrote the following on November 3rd. I thought I'd published it, but found it among my drafts this morning, so here it is... While reading posts on Facebook this week, I noticed a cousin had posted about writing her book. I started to write a comment in response to her about her plans, but found I was making it all about me and my writing. Funny how that happens. 

Instead, I decided to share some thoughts about my writing here. I started my first book when my oldest son was a toddler, with my mom cheering me on. I got stuck and never finished it. Maybe it's an unfinished jewel or maybe it's just nonsense. Next, I started the second book idea. Then the third. I decided instead to write a series of short stories, some from my imagination and some from my memories. I wrote those. I wrote some poetry. I started yet another book. You see where this is going... Yep, no where. 

I think a combination of factors plays into my failure as a writer. I'm hyper critical of my own writing. I lack motivation and discipline. I get distracted by everything and by nothing at all. Anyway, after reading her post, I felt inspired to revisit some of my abandoned projects. I decided to start by taking a look at my most recent book. It took almost an hour to find it on my computer. I'd given it a ridiculous name. While looking for it, I found some of those short stories and decided to polish a couple of them up.

Time has a way of giving a new perspective. I found I still loved some of the stories. They just needed some tweaks here and there, which I did a bit of. Everything holding me back can be worked on and overcome. It's just a matter of making up my mind to do it. A new day, a new start, and a renewed inspiration for an old love... writing.
© 29Nov2017 ajjahner