One of the ways I have been able to reach at least a moderate degree of success as a writer and creative has been as a result of my willingness to show up every day.
To be honest, I'm not that "gifted" as a writer, and I am also not that "driven" that I perpetually drive towards success, no matter what. Short version... I'm kinda lazy...
As such, I have always considered my "competitive edge" to be that I am always there. That means that I might get ahead on the days when "the brilliant ones" are having a slump, and I won't lose too much ground on other days. When I played competitive golf, it was the same way. If you're always poking around in the top-25 — even if you never win — you'll end up with a pretty high rank at the end of the year.
Of course, writing and creating are not "competitive sports." In this "game," I am only competing with myself.
Even so, I do tend to need some kind of motivation... or even a swift kick in the ass.
November Means NaNoWriMo!
"NaNoWriMo" is an acronym for National Novel Writing Month. The idea was "born" in 1999, about the same time I started creating content online. The fundamental premise was for people to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days — 1,667 words a day — during the month of November.
I tried some eight or nine times, and never actually managed to complete what I started... in part because I am not actually a fiction writer. But that's just an excuse!
Since its inception, NaNoWriMo has spawned a myriad "variants," now including non-fiction, poetry, international correspondence, haiku, conspiracy writing, journaling... there's even a "Knit a Sweater Month!"
And Now: Hive Blog Posting Month or HiveBloPoMo!
A few days ago, I came across @traciyork's announcement post about Hive Blog Posting Month and thought to myself: "Now HERE is something might actually finish!"
Most people probably know Traci best as the driving force behind Hive Power Up Day or HPUD and her work as a curator for @ocd, but she's also an accomplished writer, and actually started this concept on Hive's first "incarnation," inspired by the "National Blog Posting Month" variant.
Anyway, to make an already too long story shorter, I decided to give it a try this year... and I encourage any of you regular and aspiring creatives to give it a try, as well! At least go read Traci's post about it!
Sharing this to "the Lifestyle Lounge" because I know there are lots of creative writers here, going back to the "SteemitBloggers" and "PowerHouse Creatives" days!
This year, there is even a freshly minted Hive Blog Posting Month Community for participants to join!
No, I Actually Don't Write THAT Much...
According to Hivebuzz.me, in the 57 months I have been here, I have only earned the "Monthly Author" badge twice. Typically my "dedication" to writing every day lasts about five days, tops!
So, hoping this will inspire me to get number 3 in November!
Thanks for stopping by, and have a great rest of your weekend!
How about YOU? Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo? Did you finish the challenge? Gonna try the Hive Blog Posting Month challenge? Comments, feedback and other interaction is invited and welcomed! Because — after all — SOCIAL content is about interacting, right? Leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!
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Created at 20211030 19:47 PDT
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