2017 Live Writing Marathon 5 – Redefining Success

The problem with working out loud, is that when it doesn’t go according to plan there is a massive temptation to either go quiet, or to avoid being honest about what is happening. That’s the truth!

I wanted to write 15,000 words, 8 poems and a handful of blog posts by the end of this writing marathon. If we stick with the metaphor of a marathon run, it’s now day four and I am the equivalent of a quarter of the way round, wondering whether to give up or keep going.

I already described how unsuccessful Saturday was. Yesterday, I managed 600 words and one poem. That’s slow progress. I also mentioned in yesterday’s blog post that some of the energy needed for writing was going into resolving the structure and format of the book, and whether I was trying to pull together two different book ideas into one. I’ve resolved that problem now – and this afternoon I am going to get my head down and churn out what I can.

Again, using the metaphor, it’s like getting started again – everyone else has finished the race and gone home. But then I realise that I am competing with myself – and need to keep running to get as far as I can.

So far:

• 5,600 words written
• 2 poems written
• 5 blog posts capturing the journey (2,390 words)

That feels like a 10k race where I was hoping for a marathon. Let’s see how much further I can get, and report back later in the day.

Learning:

• Every little step is progress
• Avoid letting the inner critic take hold by celebrating each little step forwards
• Displacement activity (like organising my CD collection into alphabetical order) can take the form of things I have been meaning to do for ages. Look positively at these achievements too.

Appreciate what is achieved, rather than looking at the gap. Or, to use a well-worn phrase: by reaching for the stars we make it to the moon!

Also published on Medium.