Hello, blog writers and readers, welcome to On Wednesdays We Write 01.2022 and what I hope will be a monthly series. Don’t hold your breath just yet…let’s see what the year brings. But one of my goals is to write more and to concentrate more of my blog posts on my original purpose for blogging. WRITING!! So, that’s the plan, man. We shall see how it goes.
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Finding Time to Write
Rather serendipitously, a sweet anonymous angel registered me for Hopewriter’s “Time to Write” course. I wish I knew who to thank. If it was you, please know how grateful I am. Because I had decided a few weeks before the new year that this was going to be the year I write. And your kind gift was an impetus toward getting me started. Thank you very much.
One of the 3 dozen reasons I don’t ever seem to be able to write is that I struggle to find the time to write. I can always find clothes to iron, laundry to fold, dishes to wash instead of writing. Hope to dive into this course over the weekend so I know how to remedy this issue. Might be as simple as hiring a cleaning lady!!
Word-a-Day
Then, if we are Insta-friends as in IG or Instagram you might have seen my recent posts for Hopewriters word-a-day challenge. My friend Carrie at a Simple, Lovely Life was sharing her interpretation for the days’ words and I decided to join her.
If we aren’t Insta friends already, please follow my account, here. And you can find Carrie, here.
Write 28 Days Challenge
Through Carrie, I also discovered Anita Ojeda and her “Write 28 Days” blogging challenge. It is described as a commitment “to writing and posting EVERY DAY in February. Twenty-eight days of writing and posting. Between 02.01.2022 and 02.05.2022, you’ll be able to click here to link up your landing page (or first post) under the appropriate category.”
I am hoping to join up for this challenge. If I understand correctly, Anita has provided prompts for the first week’s writing. They are:
- 02.01.2022: longing
- 02.02.2022: ordinary
- 02.03.2022: raft
- 02.04.2022: nesting
- 02.05.2022: sheep
- 02.06.2022: ease
- 02.07.2022: worthy
Participants may use the prompts in their writing or not. I have lots of ideas swirling about in my head that I would like to put down on ‘paper.’ But should I get stumped for something to write, I may reflect on some of the prompts.
Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays
That leaves us with Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays hosted by my friend Marsha at Always Write. Isn’t that a clever logo for WQW?
This image below, borrowed from Marsha’s blog, explains in just a few words how this writing series works.
As a part of my writing this year, I hope to join up for WQW now and then.
Plan to continue using Adventures in Writing by Melissa Donovan for inspiration and using the monthly prompts that Maria at Krafty Planner for journal writing. You can check out the journaling prompts for February, here. I print them out each month and tuck them into my journal for quick reference.
With that, I am going to call this a ‘post.’ I have written a lot and yet not really written a thing. But I will. By golly, I will. If you missed my word of the year post, there was a bit of writing there. Find it here. And then hurry back for tomorrow’s Thankful Thursday post. It might hold a little writing, too.
Your Turn
Do you like to write? Do you have any aspirations for writing more this year? If so, maybe you would like to join me for some of these writing exercises or challenges. We can cheer each other on!! Let me know in a comment below. Maybe we can brainstorm some writing themes for the 28-day challenge or the whole year through.
Thank you for popping in. We have both been feeling pretty puny over here this week. We both took at-home Covid tests last Friday and they were negative. But have continued to feel worse over the weekend and this week. PC had a PCR test at Walgreen’s yesterday. I have an appointment for one on Friday. Hoping we soon turn the corner as my pile of ironing is fast becoming an insurmountable mountain.
Hugs and kisses,
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
Well you’re certainly challenging yourself Leslie! I’m not sure how you’re going to fit all that writing, blogging, linking, hosting etc in each week – but go you! I will be continuing to post just once a week on Mondays – it’s sustainable for me and doesn’t drive my subscribers crazy with too many emails arriving in their inbox. I’ve noticed some bloggers are revving up this year and writing more and that’s a wonderful thing to see (I was beginning to wonder if blogging was a dying art). I try to comment at least once a week on each of the bloggers I follow – more than that starts to do my head in…..but I’ll definitely be popping in here regularly to see what you’re up to. Good luck! 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Leanne!! I don’t want to blog more really…just during the 28 day challenge. But to keep most of those posts simple with the exception of the regulars I do. Blogging is so time consuming. And blog reading takes as much or more time. A lot of the gals I originally started following are moving to Instagram as their preferred format or medium now instead of writing blog posts. And they are all jumping into these reels. I would like to learn how to make them but I don’t feel comfy ‘starring in’ videos. So we’ll see.
Thank you for the good wishes. I enjoy your heartfelt posts so much and hope you continue to write for a long time to come.
Marsha Banks
I am a good writer. But, I don’t really enjoy writing which is ironic because I write a piece for our church newsletter every month as well as blogging! But, I like this 28 day challenge. I think I will give that a try. I think writing takes time but it has to be the right time. And I don’t know that I have time for that!!! I need to make time for that. It’s time to stop saying “time”! I love your writing, Leslie. It’s got so much voice and it just flows!
Well, let’s see how this 28 day challenge goes. So far, I’ve stuck with 3 days of WW so my record there is good. But, I left off sentence a day a couple of weeks ago!!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
OH YAY!!! So excited about you doing the 28 day challenge. Smiling ear-to-ear over here. YAY!! Thank you for the kind words and the support. XO
I agree that writing takes time and the time has to be right. Just because I want to write doesn’t mean the words will flow. But setting aside a little time to do it every day will help. And on the days when my heart isn’t into writing, I can put together something with a prompt. We’ve got this, right??
You are 3 days ahead of me with the WW. We started and then got sick. Will get back at it this weekend. We have really only eaten soup since we first started feeling poorly but we haven’t moved much at all. Back at it this next week. We can cheer each other on!!
Deb
Hope you feel better soon, and that it is ‘just’ a normal virus. Every day that passes brings you one day closer to being well again. Why is it that piles of ironing multiply when you aren’t looking?
Sounds like you are participating in some great challenges – I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
PC was tested earlier this week and the results came back negative today. Hallelujah. We are feeling better today. Hope we have turned the corner.
Would love to have you join some of the writing challenges. I bet you would be great at writing to some of the prompts. You take such great photos for the scavenger hunt prompts. Come write!!
Kellyann C Rohr
You are a gifted writer and I am so happy to hear you are going to be doing more of it!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aww, thank you, sweet friend. I love to write but when I am not feeling pressure to do so. Hope to find a good balance.
Nancy
That’s the second hint that you need a cleaning lady! I hope your tests are negative and that you feel well real soon. And that you can make time for your writing skills!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Nancy. PC offered for us to get a cleaning lady but it is really ridiculous for me to have one when I am home to do the work myself. Last week was just crazy because I worked as a substitute teacher for 4 days and didn’t have a free moment. This week we’ve been sick but I have had time to blog!! Next week I hope to do a little of both.
Joanne
I’m actually trying to write less this year. For the past 8 years of blogging I have published a post (nearly) every single day; not even taking time off when we were on vacation! Then last year I made the decision to stop blogging on Sundays. This year I am not writing on Wednesdays either. I have so many ideas for content and things I want to share but it started feeling like blogging was taking over my life.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I have always been amazed about how much your blog and blog read. I just can’t find the time to sit and do it. I have lots of blog posts I’ve started and not finished. Going to try to use this year to blog more about retirement which was why I started in the first place. Glad you are stepping back a little from it.
Dara
I like to write but the most I do of it is on my blog. I like the journal prompt ideas!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
The journal prompts make writing easy. And any writing is good!! Hope I can use the prompt writing as practice for writing the things on my heart.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
In high school I used to really love writing prompts. I feel the more you write, the better you get at it. What a neat little Instagram daily prompt you found and you’re doing so great with it. I really love the ‘Spark’ one.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much. Hope you are journaling some these days. You got me started on the gratitude journaling and I have been ever thankful.
Laura Bambrick
It’s easy to find time to do the necessary chores, but we often put aside things we truly enjoy. They are so important though! That creative outlet often helps relieve stress. I hope you find time to write!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you so much. Wise words!! I need to MAKE the time to do the things I love. The ironing will always be there.
Penny
Hi Leslie
I love writing and was glad to retire as then I had the time to do the blogs and other writing. I think retirement can be the most fruitful and creative part of your life as working does not get in the way of all the new beginnings you can have.
So sorry you’ve been unwell. I get how you’ve been as we both had a virus and I had a ghastly cough and now have sinusitis but three tests have all been negative, so it isn’t Covid – phew. But I also get how ‘busyness’ get in the way of writing as I always manage to do the two blogs but I so want to write a memoir. But do I do it? No!
Interesting post – thanks!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Hi Penny,
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I don’t know how you keep up with 2 blogs. I struggle with one!! I must be doing something wrong with my 24 hours a day.
I want to write a memoir, too. Haven’t looked into how to begin but maybe this is the year. I am forgetting so much of the craziness that has defined my life. And my children will say things or ask questions that prompts me to try to remember, and then want to write it down before I forget again. Maybe we can both make strides on our writing this year.
Patricia Doyle
All I can say is Whew… that’s a lot of writing you have planned! My daily writing continues to be my morning journal. The other writing I do is when I am inspired… which is not every day. I write when I’m synthesizing things I’ve read or studied, when I’m crafting a blog, or when I’m thinking on a topic (which often then turns into a blog!). I personally think if I tried to write stuff daily, it would be less fun and more like work. But I’m looking forward to hearing how it works for you!