You all had a lot of splendid advice regarding my writing conundrum. You were right in so many ways.
I am too hard on myself.
I do think too much.
I do ramble too much on the blog.
I need to just keep reading as much as a can and writing as much as I can (which means I need to begin writing again, since I haven’t written a word off the blog in months.)
I need to get over the fear of failing, and just do.
In writing that post, I noticed that I have a really hard time admitting to people that I want to write.
Growing up, I always felt it was a silly notion and worried that I would be ridiculed for wanting to be a writer. It shouldn’t matter what people think, but a lot of things that don’t matter have the power to shape the things we do and don’t do in life.
I now realize that people don’t care if I do or don’t write, and that even if they do or don’t, it doesn’t really matter.
I now have a renewed feeling motivation and I’m excited to be around people both in my real life and virtual life that encourage me to keep going.
So you’d think I spent the whole weekend writing, right? Nope, not even one word.
Instead, I went to Atlantic City for Mr. T’s sister-in-law’s birthday. This was my second time visiting, and it was a much more enjoyable experience.
We stayed on the boardwalk, did some shopping, drank a lot, ate a little and ended the night dancing like fools in the nearly-empty “club” at our hotel.
I consider it research for my next story. Please pause for several gratuitous photos.
Cool, landmark-y place we had dinner. It was good.
All dressed up in garb more conservative than most of the women twice my age in the establishment. I was out of place. Well, until my third glass of wine when I told the story of what went down at the SIL’s 30th birthday party and pissed off the fancy lady sitting next to me.
I can be both matronly and offensive at the same time. I consider this an accomplishment?
40 ounce beers for $9. I’d never had a “forty” before. A true experience.
Let it also be noted that I suck horribly at documenting my travels via photograph. I also won $50, lost $20 and barely slept. Oh, and I never stepped foot near the ocean. It’s really not that pretty there anyway.
Fun times. Moving along.
This week, the plan is to finish the two books I’m reading, one I just started and one I’ve been trying to finish for about six months, and come up with a concept for a short story that I WILL write in the next two months.
A short story is approachable, even if the end result sucks. I can do it.
The deadline is June 23rd, and I will let at least one person read it, which will be a huge step for me. I’ve never let anyone but teachers read my writing, other than what I post here.
I also have a list of several nonfiction books and writing instruction books I am going to delve into to push myself into a deeper level.
I’m going to have to figure out how to continue writing on this blog and writing on my own. It might be a bumpy process, but I’m hoping some creative energy spills over and makes its way here.
That, or I’ll post more pictures of me and booze and write about things I care about far more than you do. You’re all used to that by now, anyway.
I really cannot wait to piss off everyone around us next week.
I have no doubt that we will be VERY good at it.
Never had a 40?!?! Where’d you go to college missy… sounds like you need to get a refund on that “tuition”
hahaha kidding! hope you’re having a great week!
Haha, well we played a lot of beer pong? I’d heard about Edward 40 Hands, but I have a pea-sized bladder.
such a cute picture of you two lovebirds
And I struggle with the same issue my sweet soul sister. I think I should keep looking for contests to enter because it pushes me to meet a deadline and at least I don’t know who’s reading my writing and can’t be ridiculed.
For now my internal deadline seems to be working. I wrote 2 1/4 pages last night while I couldn’t sleep. Holla!
And your last story was GOOD. No one would ever ridicule you.
Wait, wait, wait! Was the fancy lady sitting next to you Mr. T’s mom when you told my birthday story? Please say it was, please say it was! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Are you crazy?
OMG- that would have been awesome if it was her. Just to show her what THIS family is capable of. She can’t handle us. She will never be cool enough for us.
Somehow, I don’t think she would see it quite that way, haha.
“I can be both matronly and offensive at the same time.” ME TOO! I have been known to buy work clothes in the same stores where my Grandma shops, and then offend everyone in the office by saying something thoroughly inappropriate. It’s fun.
I’ve gotten a small sampling of your inappropriateness and it made me really, really happy.
Alright, well now that you’ve had your proverbial 40 cherry popped, you need to get an ACTUAL 40. I’m talking malt liquor, baby.
hahaha! took the words out of my mouth Megan!!
Does it really taste good? I can’t drink 40 ounces of something that isn’t at least slightly agreeably to the palate.
I need to set goals like this for myself, too. Just to get into the habit of writing, like you said, anything but a blog post. Even if I just go back to my journal that I used to keep or anything. Maybe this summer I’ll get more serious about it…
I volunteer to read it! May be easier since we don’t really “know” each other
Maybe we should start a blogging writer’s club? It was an inevitable idea, no?
I think this makes you a little bit more Black with your 40 consumption. You still need to drink some malt liquor (as Megan) recommended and listen to Snoop Dogg simultaneously. Do it!!
I hope I am one of the lucky ones who gets to read your work in a few months. I consider myself ONE of your biggest fans, both literally and metaphorically. LOL
You’re ridiculous, and I love it. And I’m only accepting the metaphorical part of that last comment.
V- little Lo’ probably has never seen a 40 of Red Dog before either. HA HA HA
In fact, I believe I have. At a party attended with Victoria I believe. There may have been OU football players in attendance.
I’m very amused that this post has turned into a discussion of 40s.
Saw this article this morning … malt liquor + craft beer 40: http://draftmag.com/beereditor/have-you-sipped-a-craft-40-ounce/
Haha, how applicable! That’s really interesting. I’ll keep an eye out!
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