No, I’m not learning to speed read.
I like books and reading too much for that. I’m going to take a break from
reading for a while. Certainly not because reading is a bad habit I need to let
go of -- reading is a very good habit. Writers are readers. However, I used
that as an excuse for far too long. I am an information-gatherer. In fact, I would
say my compulsion borders on gluttony. I
take in a LOT in and don’t let enough out.
I WANT to write. I feel the drive
and the desire. But then I read more blogs about how to do it. I read more
books to give me things to think about so I can write about them. I’ve read
Pressfield’s The War of Art, I know what
I’m experiencing is that enemy of all creatives -- Resistance.
Do I just write, edit, and hit
publish? Or do I polish each word, each sentence, and each paragraph until it
blinds you with its dazzling brilliance? Is my post too long? Is it too short?
Is it easily scannable? Do I need more or less bullet points or one or two more
items in my list?
If I just read a few more posts by
my favorite bloggers maybe I’ll finally get it. Maybe I’ll discover my style of blogging.
On someone else’s blog?
If my true desire is to be
authentic and real with everything I write and publish, how can I accomplish that
by using someone else’s blogging voice?
So. I’m putting an end to it for a
while. For 40 days, instead of reading, I’m going to write.*
For now, I’m not going to worry if
I’m just writing for myself or if I’m building my Tribe. I’m just going to
exercise the writing muscle and see what happens. I’m going to trust the Holy
Spirit to begin focusing and leading my writing into something that someone
will relate to and be comforted, encouraged, or challenged.
I’m not sure how much of what I
write the next 40 days is going to end up here…but here goes nothin' (or is it just the beginning of something?)!
*With two small exceptions: Fiction
reading for fun and daily scripture reading.
