Challenges

Early in my life I’ve had some tough challenges given to me without my input. I was blindsided and thump – I had to rise to meet it. Many of these days I just wanted to hide and not leave my house. Through this rough time I learned how to find the good in my day and how to hide.

I wrote books to hide. I didn’t talk to my peers, most of whom I ignored because I happened to be in the same school as them, I didn’t socialize with them either. My characters were much better companions.

The point is, from that time in my life I have never really sought challenges because life gave them to me if I wanted them or not. Now, I find that I enjoy challenges because my schooling is done. I work and at five pm, I go home to free time most nights. My life is the opposite of when I was young. It is peaceful and calm.

About two weeks ago my writing teacher issued me a challenge. To write all the scenes for my main POV character by the end of February. I gave a ‘yes-I-think-I-can-do-that-some-of-the-scenes-are-written-everything-is-plotted-out-so-I-think-I-can-yes’. As soon as I got home I tallied up my work and timeline – 42 scenes and 42 days. There was no time to dawdle.

I’m happy to say, I have risen to the challenge. The first draft of all 42 scenes will be completed by the end of next week. Then I’ll have time to edit, fix mistakes, insert narrative voice and find any tongue/mind twisters I inadvertently put in. Writing takes effort and many reviews of the material before anyone else reads it.

While I don’t seek challenges, I know I can rise to them with confidence. And no matter what is thrown my way – in life or writing – I just have to map out my plan on how to deal with it and stick to the plan.

Think about your problem, create a plan of action, and walk forward without tripping.

Life as a writer is good.