I’m excited about the RoW80 challenge, but I must admit, I’m a little intimidated, too. For one thing, many of the participants are already published authors. And then it seems that almost all the others’ goals include a word count, either daily or weekly. And I just don’t work that way. So far I’m the only one who will be concentrating on poetry (at least, as far as I can tell, but I haven’t looked at all the blogs yet) rather than fiction. Word counts just don’t work for poems. Unless maybe you’re writing Paradise Lost or The Faerie Queene or something, and epics just aren’t my style.
I’m already feeling a little self-conscious about my writing – personal life crap keeps worming its way into all my latest attempts, and frankly it’s pissing me off a little. But isn’t that what we, as writers, are all about? Writing through the pain and suffering for our art and all that jazz?
Anyway, I guess I just needed to vent a little. Even though I still feel a little like the odd duck, since that’s not an entirely new feeling for me, I won’t let it stop me from participating.
Never compare yourself to other writers – it is the single quickest way to self-doubt. Seriously, we’re all different, we all have different goals, different strengths & weaknesses, you do what you love and what works for you. Never mind anyone else. I think it’s amazing that you’re using poetry as your way of taking part!
Have fun with ROW80 & I guarantee you, you’re not the only one feeling like the odd one out. π
Thanks, Claire! I appreciate the encouragement – part of why I’m participating in the challenge. And I agree that comparisons with others aren’t constructive, but sometimes they are inevitable, no?
Sure, everyone compares themselves at some stage but it just gets in the way of what you want to do. The only time I ever get blocked is when I’m thinking about what I haven’t done yet and it seems like everyone is passing me by. I’m trying not to listen to that little voice that keeps shouting hurry up. π
Creativity can never really be fairly compared and writers tend to share their successes (naturally) so we don’t see their difficulties or failures. As long as you’re doing the best you can right now then it’s working for you. Not sure why I sound like a self-help book today, LOL.
Oh, those little inside voices can be so annoying sometimes, can’t they? But they make up for it in the long run with the help and inspiration they ultimately provide.
Life is always getting in the way of things we really want to do, isn’t it? Keep on pluggin’ away, you’ll do it.
Life is pesky that way, isn’t it? Don’t worry…I’ll keep pluggin’ away. I’m like the phoenix that way…always rising from my own ashes.
I wouldn’t worry about what the rest of the participants are doing or if they are published or not. I’m not published and don’t know when I will be. My goal mainly is just to write every day. So write what you want to write and enjoy.
Thanks, Robin! Write what I want and enjoy…I’ll do just that.
Looking over your goals for ROW80, they seem perfectly reasonable for a poet. Back when I was focusing on poetry rather than fiction, I tried to write at least one new poem every week, and submit at least one poem each week. Those were my goals, because I tried to write a poem every day and failed miserably and gave up after Day 3, so then I downshifted to one a week.
Good luck!
Thanks! Yes, writing a poem every day didn’t happen for me either. I think I only made it about three or four days in a row. Good luck to you, too!
Cate…it’s awesome that you are entering the challenge with your own goals and writing style. Poetry rocks!
I definitely look forward to seeing how you do and keeping up with your blog.
I am super excited to see so many different goals and writing adventures so please don’t feel like an odd duck. (although as writers we tend to all be a little odd, don’t you think?)
Please don’t let life keep you from doing the things you love, instead, use your writing as a temporary escape. It keeps me rolling right along. π
Thanks, Dawn!