The Challenge of Writing

Summary

The author reflects on the halfway point of their 30-day writing challenge, focusing on self-discovery, the struggle with objectivity, and the need for self-discipline and vulnerability to enhance the depth and quality of their writing.

Abstract

The author celebrates reaching the midpoint of their month-long writing challenge, which has proven to be as much about personal growth as it is about improving writing skills. Initially intending to hone their haiku writing, the author realized that daily quality haiku composition is beyond their current capacity due to the depth of mindfulness and vulnerability required. The challenge has led to an overwhelming influx of ideas, prompting the author to learn their own writing rhythm, accept it, and allocate time for editing and refining their work. The author acknowledges the difficulty in being objective during self-evaluation and identifies the need for greater self-discipline in time management to maintain a consistent writing habit. Looking forward, the author aims to delve deeper into their emotions and feelings to enrich their writing with greater authenticity and connection, recognizing that vulnerability is key to transforming writing from superficial to impactful.

Opinions

The author believes that writing, particularly haiku, is a process that requires a level of awareness and openness that cannot be forced on a daily basis.
Students' initial resistance to self-evaluation turns into appreciation, indicating its value in the writing process.
The author admits that managing time effectively is a personal challenge and a crucial aspect of developing a writing habit.
There is an acknowledgment that writing quality should take precedence over quantity, with a focus on depth rather than a mere accumulation of words.
The author expresses a desire to move beyond surface-level writing to explore and share deeper emotions, which they see as essential for truly engaging writing.

Halfway Through My Writing Challenge

Woo-hoo! Halfway through my thirty day writing challenge. To celebrate, I’m doing a ‘self-evaluation’ just as I ask my students to do when they work on a project. It helps them to sharpen and edit their draft. They groan when I introduce the ‘self-evaluation’ at the beginning of each semester, but eventually the majority of them appreciate this exercise.

Now I realize why they groan! It is hard to be objective!

What have I been learning? Because this writing challenge isn’t about writing; it’s about self-discovery as a writer.

I initially thought this challenge could sharpen my writing; specifically with haiku. I had a starry-eyed idea about writing haiku or tanka daily. Hahaha!

Maybe others do, but I cannot write quality traditional haiku daily. For me, haiku is a process, becoming more aware and vulnerable, more mindful of my environment. And I can’t be that open on a daily basis.

Coming up with ideas feels overwhelming at times. Everywhere I look, I see a potential topic and have to grab my notepad to jot another idea down.

So I have been learning to be more accepting of my rhythm as a writer, taking more time to edit and sift through the words that eventually grow into something I share with the world.

And what do I need to tweak or fine-tune? This has nothing to do with writing: it’s being more self-disciplined with my use, or abuse, of time. Carving out an hour after dinner has become my goal; a manageable amount of time for editing, focusing and writing! And being consistent about it!

This feels ‘double edged’. I chose to start this challenge so I actually could become more disciplined with a writing habit. An odd ‘win-win’ as I gain control over how I use my time and my writing pile continues to grow.

And where am I headed? For these next two weeks I want to go deeper, acknowledge underlying feelings and emotions that can add more depth to my writing and poems. My tendency in writing, even like this reflective piece, is to skim the surface and share only initial observations or impressions. But that keeps an article as bland as my lukewarm cup of tea.

It’s showing vulnerability that helps others connect. That’s when writing begins. This feels like my biggest challenge, so that is what I need to tweak.

Being balanced with vulnerability.

As well as quality.This month’s challenge reminds me it’s about quality, growing deeper; not quantity.

Day 16: Halfway there!

Let’s see how I continue to honor myself as I remain consistent with writing daily and staying open.

WRITING CHALLENGE

The Challenge of Writing

Halfway Through My Writing Challenge