This is a little off the beaten path but it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you -my dear reader- that I love to write! Below are 10 prompts I participated in through a Hopewriters Challenge. Enjoy!!!
Day One
Start | “One of these days I’ll write a book.” Nope. Done with that phrase. Today, and every day, I START again working towards that dream. Drafting that proposal right now!!
Day Two
Mantra | This is my writing MANTRA these days. It’s not about perfect. It’s about getting down what I can in the cracks and crevices. Then picking it up again the next time.
Day Three
Flow |I ’ve always romanticized writing. The ideas magically arrive and I feverishly work to capture them on paper. To quote The Man Who Invented Christmas, “We mustn’t disturb the poet when the divine frenzy is upon him!” Although I’ve experience those magical moments, they don’t happen as often as one would think. Especially when you’re a mom and have kids needing all the things just when you grab a quiet moment to think.
How do I keep my work FLOW when I’m constantly interrupted and lack the focus I long to have?
I write it down. Sometimes it’s an email I send to myself or a note on my phone. The best place to hold my thoughts and ideas, however, is within my index card holder. These dandy little contraptions hold my ideas and thoughts for another day.
How do you keep your work flow when the interruptions are many???
Day Four
Empathy |
I have this IDEA. This thought that I hope will resonate with other mothers and parents in general. We live in this digitized world that can put a quantity on our relationships (1,000 followers, 650 friends, 30,000 subscribers) but it fails to create quality friendships characterized by true intimacy. We are selfish. Antisocial. Bored.
This shift of virtual connection has surprisingly disconnected us from the friendships we so desperately need.
It’s time to go against the trend of today.
Being a good friend is different from calling someone a friend.
I want to be a good friend. And not just in my words, but in my actions. “I’m praying for you” sounds a lot more convincing when you’re delivering a meal or watching their kids. “Empathy is getting in the hole with him until help arrives, knowing that company is the best help of all.” (Sissy Goff)
The neat thing about returning to this place of true and life-giving friendships is that as we step out and grow, our children will learn and follow our ways. Raising children who are kind and genuinely good friends is so important. The digital age is here and continuing to change the way we interact with others….but kindness. Kindness is timeless. Empathy. Genuine care and thoughtfulness. Those are rare commodities these days. But in the right hands they can change a generation from one that is thought of with disdain to one that leads the change we need.
Day Five
Word Count | I’ve always admired writers who have daily word count goals. I’m actually working on what that will look like in the coming days.
In the wisdom of William Zinsser, however, I hope my greatest accomplishment is making every WORD COUNT.
Day Six
Note | I have so many ideas. So many moments of inspiration that strike at the most random times. The ideas that stick the best are written down. I may not implement it right away but I’ve taken NOTE. The project will surface when the time is right.
Day Seven
Rewrite | My typical writing process. I hand write my thoughts. Type them up. Print them out. Edit. Sometimes I literally cut up and rearrange my thoughts. It’s all a part of the process. I rarely {read: never} get it right the first time. So I REWRITE and often REWRITE again.
Day Eight
Motivation | My eldest came home with this today. When it comes to writing, he’s my mini me. He’s also my biggest cheerleader. When he looks at me, he sees a writer. Not a wanna be but an authentic fully established writer. And that’s quite a bit of MOTIVATION to do my best. To believe in myself. And to work hard to write words that matter.
Day Nine
Plot Twist |I once had a friend refer to children as precious little speed bumps. I like that description. They tend to slow us down but for good reason.
Another equally poetic description of my children might be a PLOT TWIST. The trajectory of my life will never be the same because of these precious little loves of mine. And although my life without children might be a little more direct, on time, and put together, I wouldn’t trade this life script for anything!
Day Ten
Reader | I read this book for a guy. Think Tom Hanks reading Pride and Prejudice for Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail. Thankfully, like Tom, it was worth the read because the guy is still mine nearly 12 years later.
Just last week, I decided to read it again. As I turned its pages, I was introduced to a world without books. It was a sad, dark, dreary world.
To write we must read. We must treasure our books more than the mindless perusing of Facebook, scrolling of Instagram, and binge watching of Youtube.
Books open our hearts and our imaginations. Turn off the tech. Be a READER. And maybe start with 1984…or perhaps Pride and Prejudice.
Day Eleven
Slant | Its no secret – I like to rearrange furniture. If a rooms sits a certain way for too long, I get antsy. It’s needs a refresh- a different perspective. Believe me, rearranging furniture is much easier and kinder to the budget than buying new things.
Writing requires a similar approach. When my voice feels tired or perhaps redundant…maybe all I really need is a different perspective – an adjusted SLANT.
Then those words and experiences that have never truly lost their value will find life again. They’ll pop with purpose and inspiration. They’ll be received through a totally new lens. And it will serve both the reader and my antsy little mind. Now. Off to rearrange some words!
Day Twelve
Publish | I’ve always wanted be a writer. On occasion, I’ve been told I’m a good one. So I keep cranking the words out for others to read.
Then on the way out of town for a much needed family vacation, I put out a request on social media for feedback on a post I had written. Although I enjoyed the positive feedback, the most powerful words were spoken by a friend who asked me for more.
You see, I had written my words neatly and tacked on a proverbial bow. They were good words but they weren’t helpful words. They were “yay me” words not “I’ve been here, sister, and I’ll cheer you through” words. They were “I’ve figured it out” words not “this is hard” mom-darity words.
So with a simple request for more, I started to write with intention and honesty.
Now when I hit PUBLISH, I share words that allow others to feel their circumstances. I want to bring hope, a little humor if possible, and that feeling that this mom gig is worth it.
We all have a voice that needs to be heard. Don’t be afraid to show your weakness, your struggle, your fierce hope against all odds. And please share those ridiculous awesome pics of your kids covered in flour, the crying toddler who is upset that you gave him the ice cream he requested. Share those awe-inspiring moments when your kid is polite in public or creates art that takes your breath away. Because we all need to hear it.
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