Sunday, October 31, 2010

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Journal page in progress, M.Kelly.

Regarding yesterday's post, I am giving myself slightly less strict guidelines - the one non-negotiable is writing every day - as I was already trying to figure out how I could sleep less (also non-negotiable), keep in better touch with the blog writers whom I enjoy reading, continue my blogging commitment and find time for art which holds possibilities of its own.

It is all a process of adjustment and adaptation. Nothing spoils the fun faster than impossible rules, unreachable goals. I want to write my unnamed, unspooling exploration of topics to be revealed later. It needs to be a task that adds to my life in ways that will involve challenge without breaking my spirit in the first 10 minutes. Rules and I, not happy bedfellows. I know that yet I forget as I dream myself neck-deep in creative bliss. This is what I know today.

12 comments:

Sultan said...

This seems reasonable. I think most things in life should evolve organically.

Marylinn Kelly said...

Laoch - Yes, I so agree. In fact, I started today and, if it all goes as this did, it is not unreasonable. One hour, not four, typing more than writing, just putting down information from other times. Satisfactory. A worthy exercise.

Anonymous said...

How easy it is to burst your own bubble accidentally by
charging in to a project..

baby steps

baby steps..

care for yourself and dont underestimate the power of writing a story in your sleep.

Artist and Geek said...

Sleep, the most undervalued commodity of the modern world. There is something to be learned from cats.
As to 50,000 in a month, quantity over quality even in first draft. Then again I know a very prolific published writer, who easily manages it. Everyone is different.;)
The motto I follow, given to me by a very wise (published) friend, who countered my "Where do you find the time? I don't have the time to..." with: "Write a sentence every day. Eventually they'll add up."

Soggy Dog Studios said...

I love BATS!!!!!!!!!!!! :) xoxoxoxo

Marylinn Kelly said...

Denise - Oh, writing the story in my sleep. That would be better than eating sugar without consequences. There are times when I am mindful and cautious, and others when I seem to have confused myself with some 25-year-old over-achiever. Baby steps. I no longer hold up well under such punishing expectations...I really ought to know better. I have simmered down and think I'll be okay. xo

Marylinn Kelly said...

Artist and Geek - Oh, for the life of a cat. Flop down, sleep wherever and whenever one chooses, usually in the most comfortable spot. And sleep, in sufficient quantity, which may vary from day to day, is an absolute. I become a cabbage without it.

One GREAT or even good sentence a day could become quite a lot. I am still looking at the quantity, for the sake of exercise, on this first pass, but completed in a more agreeable length of time. Some of it may have actual meaning. Thanks, as always.

Marylinn Kelly said...

Kimberly - Happy November 1. Thank you for your note about the bats. This fellow, with luck or something more, I hope to see as a stamp before another Halloween rolls around. Nice to see you here. Hope your art is keeping you busy, happy and successful. xo

RachelVB said...

There's a line from the "triggering town" that I always keep in the back of my mind: We are always chasing a way to write.
And it's true. We will find a way and then next week we will find another way. Doing it every day - now that's the only rule I follow. You start to do it every day and then the days you don't you feel like you can't breathe. It becomes a part of breath.
Good luck!

Marylinn Kelly said...

Rachel - Thank you. As I begin this version of the practice - I did write every day, something, but not as focused or specific, I find that doing it before anything else, other than cooking our breakfast, is something that helps make it happen. It has to be the priority, or I drift off in other directions.

On your recommendation, I got and have read - once - "Triggering Town" and need to go back to it again already. Anyway, so far, so good. And I know that, once begun, the daily habit, if ignored, would cause serious discomfort. I appreciate your encouragement.

susan t. landry said...

i love this image. bats in maryjanes. doesnt get much better than that.
cheers to you, marylinn. you got it, whatever it is. in spades.
--susan

Marylinn Kelly said...

Susan - Hello, and thank you so much. A friend asked yesterday where the bat image came from and all I could say is where anything comes from, I have no answer. A very counter-vampire sort of bat with a yen for show business, or at least dress-up. I'm glad you enjoyed him/them.