by Clare Stella
Member since:
January 15, 2006

A Writer's Belated New Year's Resolution

February 01, 2007 12:38 PM EST
views: 32 | rating: 10/10 (7 votes) | comments: 19

You have to think that there is already something going wrong when I decide upon my New Year's Resolution on February 1st.  Perhaps it should be to stop procrastinating.  Aaah well.  That's not it at all.  What I have decided is to try and write one article that I can publish to each group that I belong to.  Oops, not supposed to end sentences with a preposition.  And I'm not supposed to use phrases as sentences.   I shouldn't start sentences with "And."  Phooey, I'llfileId:3096224744019856;size:inter; never even get this article written if I don't stop worrying about rules.

I have joined many groups since I first came to Gather.  I am interested in each one of them.  I will review each one I have joined, learn more about its purpose, and read some of the articles (in some cases I have done this already).  Then I will write at least one article for each group.  It will stretch my boundaries and abilities.  I know I'll enjoy it.

 As an avid reader and writer, it is sometimes easy to become complacent.  It is easier for me to read.  There are so many good articles on Gather.  I read several books a week as well as some magazines.  Writing takes a different kind of effort.  This resolution will hopefully stretch my abilities and force me to write more.  

What do you do to keep your writing alive, to avoid writer's block, and stretch your writing boundaries? 

 
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 19

Nancy S. Feb 1, 2007, 1:20pm EST
Fun article, Clare. I also find that I read on Gather way more than I write. I just hate to miss anything good, and so many of my connections write really good things.
Clare Stella Feb 1, 2007, 1:24pm EST
I believe that at least for me it is much easier to read than write. I hope to switch this trend a bit and do more writing. It's hard to find the time though now that I am working more.
Laura H. Feb 1, 2007, 3:57pm EST
I enjoy looking at the art and pictures and reading way more than I do writing. It keeps me happy :)
David Rochester Feb 1, 2007, 9:40pm EST
I keep my spark alive by blathering on about nothing, as any visitor to my namespace knows, to his or her peril, by now.

Actually, when I started blogging, my goal was to "snapshot" my day by choosing one incident and describing it. This was both harder, and more fun, than I realized it would be.
Mary McCartt Feb 1, 2007, 10:05pm EST
Any time something touches me in any way, I write about it. Something funny, sad, exciting, it doesnt matter. I also like to write about people I have known.
Raquel Beeby Feb 1, 2007, 10:17pm EST
Fabulous idea Clare, good luck! I've never had writer's block, just times when I don't have the urge to write. Currently I'm suffering severe writing withdrawals as my kids have been on summer holidays (seven whole weeks of entertainment required). So I'm likely to have a bout of scribbling diarrhea next week. :) To keep the writing cogs oiled I read fiction a lot, and I enjoy writing exercises that have no particular purpose other than flexing the imagination muscles.
Clare Stella Feb 1, 2007, 10:25pm EST
Wonderful ideas from several Gather writers whom I really respect. I am hoping to do more writing in the future and will definitely use some of your ideas as well as my own commitment to publishing one article for each group. Thanks for all your comments!
Mariana T. Feb 7, 2007, 9:42pm EST
Good question - I just write whatever happens to come into my brainspace. Since I type so fast, it's easy for me to do that. Usually, I try to write a couple of emails and/or snail mail to friends - this helps get me going...I don't write poetry but have about 4 large boxes full of it - nor do I write short stories...I do however have four books of non-fiction out - the subjects inspire me. I choose a title first and then go to it! Have a great evening! Salud.
Serina Matteson Feb 8, 2007, 12:10am EST
This is a great idea, Clare about writing one article for each group. When I get writer's block I usually just stare at the blank page, then stomp and cuss then when it gets really bad I drink a six pack. I find the beer works really well. Haha.
jessie voigts Feb 20, 2007, 12:09am EST
you go, girl! i am proud of you!! i don't have writer's block, i have lillie. she takes up a lot of time, and i give it, gladly - of course!! that means not a lot of writing time for me right now - and that's ok . i'll look forward to your articles, of course!
Beryl Singleton Bissell Feb 20, 2007, 4:55pm EST
Clare, you will promise to post them so "everyone" can see them right? By the way, that mosaic-like art is spectacular. Now, if only I could manage to surround myself with that much color!
Clare Stella Feb 21, 2007, 11:36pm EST
Oh, I am so good at resolutions but haven't written one article yet. my bad.
John F Walter Mar 3, 2007, 3:17am EST
I have an author-to-author resolution to get back to reading connections of mine I haven't read in ages, such as yourself, Clare. (You have always been such a good reader to me.) So I come also belatedly to this article!
As for inspiration, my motto is, "Seize the image!" (My riff on Carpe Diem.) When an image appears that is so strong in my mind it seems to clear away all other thought, I know it's something I want to write about.
As for constant daily writing, having an outlined project and treating it as a jazzman treats a Broadway pop tune seems to work for me!
Saludos de Andalucia, guapa!
John
Clare Stella Mar 3, 2007, 11:06am EST
I am enjoying all these comments. John, I had such great intentions but due to time constraints, fatigue (auto-immune disease) and occasional depression (how did I get this old?) I have not done one article. It will come though. Thanks to all for the wonderful ideas.
d g. Mar 4, 2007, 8:20am EST
I used to write to expunge emotions, I still do, but I try to spend more time editing my work. I should go back to the basics and learn grammer, but that would require more than just a resolution - ack! Commitment!
Clare Stella Mar 4, 2007, 9:16am EST
I love the act of writing, d.m. It doesn't have to be perfect to be interesting and entertaining. I have enjoyed many of your articles.
d g. Mar 19, 2007, 4:49pm EDT
Yes, I do love to write as well. There is an art to it that can be appreciated within ourselves and we can share with others. Puzzles in words as we try to explain ourselves.

I have been learning more from helping my girlfriend's 12 y.o. with her English homework than I expected! A blessing...
Clare Stella Mar 19, 2007, 8:33pm EDT
it just goes to show that we are never too old to learn new things, d.m.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16865, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.