And Just Like That I Have A Chain
Why I don’t want to break the chain
A couple of weeks ago I was reading this article by one of my good writing friends and fellow Medium writer Carla Calvert. Carla wrote about her daily writing goal. This is the goal which prevents her from breaking the chain.
Carla writes every day and marks each day off on her calendar with a “big pink neon X” . Each X, another link in the chain.
The moment I began reading, warning bells started to go off inside my head. Inwardly groaning, I knew I was about to begin the same challenge. I knew I didn’t want to break the chain.
During April I set myself a writing challenge, and I won. 24 articles in 28 days. I approached this with caution but I knew I would complete it, I can’t allow myself to lose against myself.
“I will keep moving forward, one article at a time”.
As own fiercest competitor I took a couple of days to mentally warm up. A few writerly stretches in the form of journaling, and considered at length, what color pen I should use to mark my own big X?
I prepared to take my position at the start line, but then realised I had a dilemma.
What counts as writing? What deserves my own big X?
- Does journaling count?
I’m not sure
- Does it have to be an article or blog post or something I intend to publish?
Maybe, probably
- Does it have to be a completed piece of work?
No
- Do notes and plans for an article count?
Not sure, possible, but fully formed paragraphs must be written
But then I just started to write.
And just like that I have a chain
Since I read Carla’s article, I have written something daily. The calendar which sits on my desk has 7 firm blue X’s. Make that 8 now.
Each time I mark off the day with a X, there is a moment of instant gratification
It is a visual recording. I look at my calendar each time I sit at my desk. I don’t want to see a gap where a blue X should be. That would make me feel bad
I want evidence of my productivity, consistency and commitment in the form of my own big X.
If I haven’t had time to write and the day is coming to an end, in my head I hear ‘don’t break the chain, don’t break the chain’. It’s on repeat, a broken record, a chant, a mantra.
I can’t let it go.
In my head I see the chain growing. Spreading out before me, each blue link, evidence of my commitment to my writing.
“I pray to be like the ocean, with soft currents, maybe waves at times. More and more I want the consistency rather than the highs and lows”
- Drew Barrymore
I have never had any time for chain letters, you know the ones, those that came in the post, or perhaps via email, telling you if you don’t send the letter on to 7 people bad luck will follow you wherever you go. Or they assure you of untold wealth as long as you don’t break the chain . Emotionally manipulative at best, down right lies at worst.
Yet, here I am embarking on my own chain. Albeit a more positive one, I have convinced myself the chain will make me a better writer, a more prolific writer a more convincing writer.
We shall see
This is a chain with myself
I don’t want to lose
I don’t want to break the chain.
X marks the spot
A daily writing goal. Sealed with a X