Weekly Wishes #5: Start Writing More

Last week I must have set a few too many goals for myself, because I barely accomplished anything! For one, I only managed to workout on Thursday. My eating habits haven't been very good, but I blame that on not having many groceries in the house until today. I am so sick of vegetable soup and pudding! And, the one thing I really wanted to get done, my blood work, I didn't. Therefore, I'm still pretty tired all of the time.

 

I did manage to clear out the rest of the clutter and have my yard sale. Didn't make as much as I had hoped but at least all of that stuff is gone.

 

This was a very unproductive week.

 

However, I want to continue to try and eat healthier and to workout three times this week. I might as well keep this goal on my Weekly Wishes list for the rest of my life.

This week I want to mix things up a little bit.

And so for my Weekly Wishes #5 I want to: Write More!

A couple of years ago I decided I wanted to go ahead and chase my dream of becoming a writer, but I haven't been feeling very inspired lately and I can't seem to write anything. There are ideas I have in my head but whenever I sit down to write about them, my ideas seem silly or stupid and I can't get past the first sentence.

I really enjoy writing. It usually doesn't matter that I'm not very good at it. Still, I need to learn how to keep writing even when I feel silly or stupid.

So this week I want to make sure that I start writing more. I want to write every day, because you can't be a writer unless you write.

What are some of your goals for this week? How did you do last week? Hopefully better than me!

Thanks,
Cole

P.S. - I haven't been taking any pictures lately for the August Break 2013 because my DSLR camera lens is still broken. No fun!

Admitting to Myself - I am a Writer

This is a special post for the 'Writing Contest: You are a Writer' held by Positive Writer.

 

Warning: It's a bit lengthy!

 

When I was just a child, not so long ago, I used to write short stories with my cousin. We would get a spark of inspiration from anything as simple as three letters written on the side of a truck, or someone we noticed standing in line at the store. Right where we were, we’d start throwing ideas back and forth, coming up with some silly story we would later on write down.

At the time I never thought much of it. My cousin and I both loved to read. We would spend our summers side by side reading novels and then switching when we were done. I never realized that I actually loved to write as well. I just assumed I had a bit of a wild imagination, that my silly stories would make my friends and family laugh and that was enough reason to keep writing them.

As I got older and I began to change not only physically but emotionally, my short stories changed, too. Certain things had taken place in my life that were not exactly thrilling and as my world began to change so did my writing. No longer did I write my silly stories about big nosed principals, or talking mosquitos. I became a horror fan, and I loved to kill off my characters. No more happy endings. Everyone must die.

A lot of the writing I did was for school. I loved English class and even when I didn’t have to submit a short story I still wrote. All through grade 7 and 8 I wrote in my spare time. Still, I didn’t think anything of it. I wasn’t a writer, I was just someone who liked writing. It was a great way for me to deal with my emotions and the events that took place in my life.

When I entered high school I found more interesting things to do then sit around by myself writing fictional stories. I began going out with my friends more, staying out late, getting into trouble. Nothing too serious; let’s just say I was never brought home by the police or expelled. We were just teenagers having fun.

I had a baby when I was 17 and dropped out of high school. My daughter became my whole world and everything I’ve done since then, I’ve done with her in mind. I knew that graduating high school would be the best thing for her, so I did it. I knew that having a good paying job would be the best thing for her, so I aimed for that.

There was a problem though, I wasn’t happy in any job I found and it showed. I went through so many different jobs, everything from being a banquet waitress, construction labourer, cashier, sales associate, bookkeeper, etc. No matter what I did, I would eventually quit, sure that there was something better out there that would pay. Besides, my boyfriend, who is Sidney’s father, made good money and I could take the time I needed to figure things out.

Well, he and I broke up a couple of years ago. I was completely devastated, but when things just aren’t working what can you do? By this time our daughter was four years old and starting Kindergarten full-time. I was on welfare, too upset to even look for work. So I did the only thing I could think of – I began writing down my feelings, not just in my journal like I’ve always done, but I began writing short stories about love and heartbreak. I wrote while she was in school, I wrote every night, I wrote whenever I had time to myself because when I wasn’t writing all I could do was pace and stew. Heartache turned to anger, and the best way to channel those emotions was to write.

We were separated for 3 months. It was one of the most difficult three months I’ve had to go through. I had never been through a breakup before then, but I finally knew what all of those movies and books were talking about. It was like grieving his death, except I had to see him for a few minutes every Wednesday evening and every other weekend whenever he picked Sidney up and dropped her off.

Eventually we worked things out and Sid and I moved back into our old apartment. Things were different though, not just between Nick and me, but I had changed as a person. For the first time in five years I had been on my own and allowed myself to think for myself. I felt selfish, but maybe I needed that.

I told Nick I wanted to be a writer. That nothing else could do. I didn’t know if I would ever make money writing, I wasn’t sure how it could support our family financially but I finally admitted to myself that through all of the doubt and self-criticism, I was in fact a writer. Writing made me happy.

Fast forward two years from that crucial moment of finally saying, “I am a writer” and here I am today. Even in those past two years there has been doubt, and criticism and wondering. I don’t have anything published. I don’t even know what kind of writer I want to be, do I want to write fiction or non-fiction? Who knows? Who cares? All I know is that I want to write, and that I do write almost every day.

Maybe no one ever reads what I’ve written, it’s not about being noticed, not right now. All that matters is that I write, because I am a writer.

Thanks,
Cole

Day 7 Blog Challenge - My Dream Job

31 Day Blog Challenge - March

My Dream Job

My dream job would have to be a writer. 

I'm not sure what I would write about, but so far I'm really enjoying blogging as a hobby. It would be great if I could write a blog for a living, and get paid for it.

I would love to write inspirational books, too. Books that help people follow their dreams, and become the person they want to be. Of course, I think maybe I should first accomplish my dreams before I try advising others how to.

I've always wanted to write teen fiction, too. Books about teen pregnancy, drug addiction, mental illnesses. I love books by Ellen Hopkins. If I could write about similar topics, that would be awesome. 

If I could be a freelance writer for magazines that would be awesome, too

My dream job would allow me to work from home. I would be able to work when I wanted to, not when I'm told to. I would have time for my family, and for all of my favourite hobbies like gardening, photography, vintage shopping and playing around with my kiddo.

There are many jobs I have considered over the years:

• Graphic Designer
• Tattoo Artist
• Baker/ Cake decorator
• Interior Designer
• Thrift Shop Owner

And while all of these things still sound somewhat interesting I know I wouldn't enjoy doing any of them full time. 

Writing is the only thing I have enjoyed my entire life. It's the one thing I never truly get bored of. On good days I can write for hours. I may have moments where I can't think of anything to write, but who doesn't?

So yeah, I want to be a full-time, paid, writer.

Previous Challenges:
Day 1 - Portrait

Day 2 - Favourite Quote

Day 3 - What Makes Me Happy

Day 4 - Best Childhood Memory

Day 5 - Favourite Movies I Never Get Sick Of

Day 6 - Random Acts of Kindness

Thanks,

Tuesday Treasury - For the Writer

'For The Writer' by shemonster31

Writer's Home Vinta... HydeawayCottag... $15.00	Personalized Journal Da... zany $22.00	Complete Works of Mark ... WillowTreeAnti... $100.00	Keep Calm And Write On ... keepcalmstore $18.99
write necklace (sterlin... PianoBenchDesi... $36.00	30 Caliber Bolt Action ... ShivelyPens $41.40	This Town Coffee "... ThisTownCoffee $16.00	large mug in bright whi... thatwhichisnot $18.00
Vintage Black Desk Orga... ShabbyVintageS... $39.00	Antique Book - Dictiona... pastoria $48.00	Laptop bag / laptop cas... QUALITYcovers $76.00	1938 Vintage REMINGTON ... ElfHillBooks $325.00
Scrabble Push Pins Deligato $5.50	Little Tin-Horn Corkboa... BlackWillowRoa... $64.00	Write Write Write Art P... thedreamygiraf... $18.00	Long-eared Owl - Mini M... CitrusMoonArt $2.50

Treasury tool supported by the dog house