Write about finishing this challenging/accomplishing a goal
The 500 Words
I love how this challenge is supposed to be about the thrill of finishing this challenge, and the overall victorious feeling of accomplishing a goal. That makes me laugh, because I feel that’s all I do is accomplish goals. Every time I decide that I really want something, I make a list of steps that will help me get there.
For
example, writing a book. It’s not like I haven’t written stories before, but
this was definitely the longest in length. First, I had to do character
summaries to figure out who was who and what they were all about. Then I needed
to figure out the story; I made a very detailed outline, and probably 80% of
the original outline was kept, the other 20% was modified repeatedly.
Next
up was actually writing the story. I wrote it out of order to avoid writer’s
block, and it took 14 months from start to finish to have a decent first draft.
After the draft comes getting feedback from certain people to polish it up just
a little bit. I love feedback, it doesn’t bother me at all, but I think it’s
because I’ve emotionally detached myself from my work. Of course, I do love it
completely because it is my baby, but I also know that I want what’s best for
my work and am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure it becomes the best
version I can make of it.
Taking
all that feedback and creating a second draft came next on the list. I rewrote,
added scenes, cut others, changed a few names here and there, and voila! Second
draft.
My point is, I accomplish my goals all the time. It’s part
of my personality; if I’m not achieving something, I don’t feel like I’m
progressing. This year alone, I got into grad school, aced all of my classes so
far, continued my piano lessons, finished a 10k, drove my car for it’s very
first road trip down to Saint George, taken up painting, got a newer and better
paying job, finished two drafts of my book, and started the next one.
I’m no stranger to accomplishing my goals. I love the
feeling of victory and knowing that I can do “big” things. As long as I write
it down, I know I will do it. I love lists, making them and crossing the items
off of them. It gives me so much joy knowing that I accomplish things.
Doing this challenge meant having that feeling every time
the word count hit 500 words. Every day felt victorious, one more daily task to
cross off the list. I really enjoyed finding my writer’s confidence, and
learning how to tap into my creativity brought on by vague parameters. It was
nice to recapture my spark of brilliance.
I guess it’s time to find a new challenge to validate myself
as a writer. I still can’t believe I did this for thirty-one days.
Bring on the adventure!
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