Lessons from the Journey

My journey to publication has only just begun, but I have already learned so much. The purpose of my blog is to chronicle my journey—my successes and failures through life’s messy realities—while honing my craft. Here are a few things I have learned in only four months of blogging.

Discipline

I have to commit to showing up to write every day whether I have the words or not. That has been difficult. Fear, fatigue, and life’s responsibilities all get in the way of writing. It is easy for me to put off writing and make excuses about things I need to be doing, but by committing to uploading content to my site on the 1^st and 15^th of every month, I have forced myself to do the hardest part—show up.

Emotions

I would have never thought writing required wrestling with emotions. The heart of what I am trying to convey is always hidden behind some emotion I need to tame. I wrestle with my words, trying to understand what it is I am feeling and how I need to convey it to my readers. The process can be painful. I have to touch my own fragile places to help others access theirs.

Time

Those emotions don’t always become clear at first. I am developing a writing routine and because my personality is task oriented, I want to write, edit, publish, and move on to the next topic. My best writing, however, has come when I work against my personality and allow my thoughts time to marinate. Time somehow works out the emotions, making my thoughts clearer. Perfectly timed conversations and seemingly random events supplement the process by adding meaning to the ideas I am trying to express.

Community

I need an army of support! I have sought out mentors to provide wisdom and encouragement. I have enlisted friends and family members to hold me accountable. I have formed a circle of inspirational support around myself with people that believe in my vision and in me, and who encourage me to keep taking steps toward my goal. Life is lived fully when we share in the experience.

The takeaway

Writing is a journey. I have learned not only about my craft but also about my voice, my writing style, and myself. I have committed to showing up every day and doing the work, even on the days I don’t seem to know what the “work” is. This endeavor, like any, takes discipline, time, and commitment. The joy is in the process. I inch closer to obtaining my goal when I commit to the process, wrestle through the work of the process, and allow time to shape the process into something I can share with you.

Whatever your passion, find a group to support and guide you along your journey. The relationships you form in the process will only increase the value of the reward once you achieve it. And please, keep connecting with me here and on my Facebook page. I love to read your comments!