Stepping Outside of My Comfort Zone
Change is inevitable and not everyone handles it well; myself included.
This is really hitting home for me this year as I expand my writing.
My writing coach issued a challenge to write a book in a month.
This is way outside my of my comfort zone, but it is also exciting.
I have written articles, personal experience stories and blog posts but not a book.
I’m really stretching my writing muscles and it feels good.
For week one, we were supposed to write our first three chapters and I only got the first chapter and part of the second.
At the weekly meeting of the writing challenge group, some of them gave me some tips on how to make better progress.
I kept re-reading the chapter which led me to do some editing while I was reading it again.
The second chapter started good but since I was getting in my own way, I didn’t get it done.
Some of the other writers gave me a few tips:
- Write out the last sentence of the previous chapter on an index card and only use that to start the next chapter
- Make sure the story flows logically
- Don’t edit as you write because it interrupts the flow of the story
- Write out your scenes by hand before you start the chapter
Now that I have addressed what I feel were my issues, I will be writing every day if I want to catch up.
Part of my unique journey is to stretch and go outside of my comfort zone and I am excited to see my finalized novel.
Sandra, you are miles and miles ahead of others who want to write. I am so inspired by your willingness to evaluate and readjust. So many people would give up, but you haven’t. I am so glad to be in your network and to see you grow as a writer.