Wow, two weird years in a row. It feels like 2020 and 2021 sort of blended together, one being the continuation of the other. At least this year we had a vaccine to help differentiate it from its predecessor. Personally, it was a year of big change. There were some deaths in the family, new…
Category: Personal
Daily Writing Goals [Writing]
Is it useful to set a daily writing goal for yourself? I’ve been giving this question some thought lately. I’ve read that many published authors set a daily number-based writing goal for themselves. For example, they push themselves to write four thousand words a day, and they can’t stop until they hit that mark. Doesn’t…
Productive Procrastination [Creativity]
I recently stumbled upon a term I hadn’t heard before: Productive Procrastination. The basic definition is when someone is productive as a way to avoid doing some other productive endeavor. Weird, right? But I get it. I know I’m guilty of it myself. I’ve caught myself working on a blog post instead of editing a…
Initiating Change [Mental Health]
I’m a firm believer that we are all a result of our lives up to this point in time, and that regardless of our current situation, we’re all capable of change. What I mean is, everything we experience in our lives, the good and the bad, the positive and negative, has made us who we…
Self-Promotion [Creativity]
My least favorite part of being a writer and creator is self-promotion. It makes me uncomfortable. I’m one of those people who finds it hard to brag and sell myself. I have no problem in selling other people’s work, promoting them and their endeavors, but for myself, well, it’s awkward. I feel that my writing…
Adding Excellence to Your Day [Mental Health]
“What is the most excellent thing I can do today?” – Neil Peart It’s no secret that I am a fan of the late drummer, lyricist, and writer Neil Peart. The quote above is a question he would ask himself every morning when he awoke, and I’m incorporating it into my own daily routine. I’ve…
Birthday Thoughts [Mental Health]
So, I recently celebrated another birthday and the occasion got me thinking about myself and who I am at the moment. I consider myself a work in progress. I’ve always been of the mind that if there’s something I don’t like about myself, then I need to change it. Ask anyone who’s known me for…
The Mood of the Season [Creativity]
If you weren’t aware, there’s a medical term for when people get depressed when the seasons change. It’s called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and it’s a recognized medical condition. I get a touch of it in the middle of winter. I’m not a fan of the bitter cold. Toss in those gray, rainy days on…
Bradbury Challenge Update 5 [Writing]
I’m a bit late on this update, but I’ve been churning out words. The challenge has been going well and I think I’m at the point where I need to switch to editing mode. I’ve written five stories over ten weeks. That makes me happy, gives me a sense of accomplishment. I could keep going,…
The Pros and Cons of Isolation [Creativity]
It’s been nearly two years since the initial COVID lockdown here in the US. My previous employer sent me home to work March of 2020, and I only returned to the office for a couple of months earlier this year. I’m still working remote, home alone all day Monday through Friday, pounding out content at…