A Writer's Retrospective: February 2022
Incremental progress in word count and thought…but to what end?
Photo by Jorge Caetano on Unsplash
I’ve spent this month thinking without doing anything. I’m on my way to fixing that, however.
Last Month's Action Items
I haven’t had any action items for quite a while.
Fiction
My non-zero word counts usually fall in between 50 and 300 words, which is not insubstantial when done consistently. I am not consistent, yet, but I am at least sitting down to write more consistently.
I've discovered that my recent pages have been a lot of conversation and very little action. The lack of story progression has frustrated me. It is more likely a consequence of not writing consistently than a defect of my outline. Even so, I looked at my scene list for guidance. I made a token effort to differentiate internal and external conflict; I might have been better served to make those into separate columns. That is done, but I doubt I'm going to fill out either column right now. At least the document—and by extension, the story—is still alive and changing.
Blogging
Haven’t touched this topic in ages, but here goes: I have this recurring desire to keep blogging. Medium is purportedly removing inactive writers from its partner program and simultaneously making it difficult for new writers to get into it. That would be discouraging if I'd ever had a real following or income to begin with. My initial approach did not work, so I will be trying something else.
As far as I know, the only significant change will be this: I will write whatever captures my interest, rather than writing (almost) exclusively about writing. I love painting myself into corners, but it isn’t working anywhere in my life.
Outside of work, I have a serious problem with overexplaining. They say it is a form of insecurity. seems to be a recurring problem of mine. Having seen a variety of shorter pieces—notably from Abena—I think I'll follow suit. It'll be good practice in getting to the point.
Achievement Summary
I have decided to take my writing more seriously again.
Action Items
Finish scenes 10 - 13.
Finish and publish all my unwritten retrospectives.
Draft 2 blog posts from my list of ideas.
Final Word
I’m not sure where I lost my way, but I may be back on the right path. I have devised a new schedule for balancing my current priorities. If I can’t be excited about at least planning to do better, then I should probably hang it up altogether.