Getting Back to Writing and NaNoWriMo

As previously mentioned, I have been a bit unmotivated to write since I graduated with my MFA in Creative Writing. Getting a degree in creative writing and then not writing is unfortunate. It somehow makes my degree seem pointless. Because of this I have had some thoughts and ideas, and I made a few decisions.

1. I seriously considered doing NaNoWriMo. The concept of writing 50,000 words in a month seemed appealing to me, but the panic set in pretty quickly at the thought of it. While I want to start writing again, I'm not sure I want to jump straight into the deep end after such a long time now swimming. The contest would likely influence me to actually write, but I am not sure that it would be worth the downhearted feeling I would get from not completing the full project. This is still an option, and I do have until November 1st to make this decision. 
2. I have considered seeking out contests on other websites to give me motivation to write. But, I'll be honest. I would probably not write anything new after all. Instead, I would try to find a story or poem I already have that would fit the contest, or I wouldn't participate in the contest at all. I would rather focus on writing something new for the sake of writing, and maybe submit some of my old works to journals now.
3. I could search the internet or books for writing prompts. Prompts have always helped to influence the formation of ideas, but this still wouldn't really get me writing. Ideas spin around in my head already, and while I jot down ideas, I generally don't write extensively right now. This is still a really good idea for when I start getting motivated to write.
4. I have considered joining forums or some sort of online community for support. In all honesty I searched for face-to-face meet ups or groups, but the idea of meeting a large (or small) group of strangers face to face terrified me. I have problems connecting with people in my everyday life. The thought of discussing my writing to a real, live person and being able to see their reactions in the flesh was not appealing. Thus, online forums. I am not really sure that this is the proper arena for me either. I think I'm just not really ready to share my projects with anyone. I would be interested in discussing the process of writing, though.
5. The final, and most likely to succeed, idea that I have sort of stems from the idea of NaNoWriMo. Instead of struggling to write an entire novel in a month (and risking the disappointment at not finishing), I think I will just create a daily writing schedule that I will follow no matter what. This would consist of setting aside a specific time each day (or in my case, night) to write. For example, maybe I could schedule to write at 8 pm every night for an hour. This would be nonstop writing, without revision. This is the same concept that is present in the NaNoWriMo contest, but without all of the added pressure of getting to 50,000 words.  

I really plan on writing at least a little every day throughout November. This seems like the most feasible and appropriate idea for someone who hasn't written much in months. I am still seriously considering signing up for NaNoWriMo for the experience, especially since I researched and discovered that the "novel" doesn't get put on the internet for everyone to see. That privacy aspect is very important to me, at least in the beginning of the writing process. 

Although, I suppose if I am going to participate in a novel writing experiment I should start thinking about what I will write. Ah, now that's the really hard part, isn't it?

Family Vacations

As December approaches, I am starting to get more nervous and more excited. No, not because of Christmas. Christmas has sort of become unimportant to me since I've become an adult (and sort of poor). It is pretty much a day to spend time with my mother and boyfriend, eating a nice dinner and doing family things. 

No, on December sixth, my mother and I will be going to Orlando, Florida to Universal Studios and the Islands of Adventure. This will be the fourth time I've been, so you'd think I wouldn't be this excited. I have found, though, that I don't have much to look forward to these days since school ended and I've been stuck in a sort of dead end job, so vacationing with my mother is something that brings me joy. 

My biggest piece of advice to everyone is to spend time enjoying the company of family while you have the chance. I am 31 years old, and I am going to a theme park with my mother. While this might seem a bit immature, it is something fun that I can do with my mother and involves something I love (Harry Potter). Last year, one of my mother's childhood friends (the daughter of a family friend) got a terrible case of the flu. This lead to infections (including blood and brain infections) and her untimely death. This sudden, terrible death made us both realize that life is really short and, and any second could be our last. I don't have children, I'm not married, and I don't have a demanding job at the moment. This means that I have time to actually spend with my mother, while both of us are healthy and free to leave for a week. 

I'm not saying that everyone should go on vacation to a theme park. That is just what WE like to do. But I would advise everyone to step back and take a moment to appreciate what they have, spend time with their loved ones, and cherish the lives they have while they have them. You never know when there will be no more time at all.

Writing about writing again

I’m feeling a little stagnant right now. I graduated from college in 2014, and I can’t seem to get motivated to do anything creative. I wrote so many stories when I was in the creative writing program at Lindenwood University, and created a successful thesis. I must have done a pretty good job with that creativity business because I got a 4.0, but now I feel like the creative juices have completely dried up. It is pretty painful for someone how used to love writing more than anything else. On a positive note I have started reading again (as I mentioned in a previous post), which has got me thinking creatively again. I have come up with a few ideas recently, which I have added to my notes. I just can’t seem to sit down and write anything productively. Right now I’m feeling really old and useless. I don’t even have a full time job. This would be the perfect time to write (before I start working 40 hours a week). I just get a little depressive about feeling a bit like a loser, so I end up laying around vegging out. I really just want to get motivated and write. If I could write a successful piece, that would be even better.

Anyone out there feel like this ever? How do you motivate yourself? How do you get out of a funk?

I’m hoping that this blog helps at least get me started with writing, even though this isn’t really what I mean by creative. We will see how long I can keep this up and how long it takes me to start writing again. Here’s hoping it doesn’t take forever.    

Reading again

I started reading again. This might sound silly, but since I started (probably) my second masters degree, I haven't really read a book for myself. I read a few continuations of book series, but I haven't started a new series, or read individual books. I have collections and collections of books on my kindle and on bookshelves, but I have either been too lazy to read (it's easier to veg out to the tv) or I just don't think about it until I'm too tired.  I went home to visit family for a week and took the opportunity to start a new book. I have to say that I have realized what I was missing. Reading a new book has made me want to read even more, and I am feeling inspired for writing as well. Ideas that had always been floating around in my head for stories have started becoming fuller ideas, and I've started really thinking up new concepts. I'm hoping this is a sign that it isn't too late for me to reach for my dreams.