Feeling refreshed after nearly two weeks on the road with my family, we traveled to several different (warmer) states, vetting possible places to start a homestead.
Highlights included stumbling across a breathtaking waterfall cascade hidden at the back of a random Alabama suburb and hiking through the trails in Florida’s Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.
I’m home just in time for Ash Wednesday. And this Lenten season, I’ve vowed to write every day.
You’d think someone who struggles with writing as much as I do would’ve made this promise every year. But the past 3+ years’ Lenten promises were diet and exercise-related, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I made a Lenten promise to write.
But now that I’ve spoken the words, it should’ve been a no-brainer. I take these promises seriously, so why not leverage that into completing a story?
Perhaps it’s because I’ve been afraid of failure. I don’t like failing Lent. Each year, I make promises that I know will be a struggle but I believe I can keep. Last year, deep-down, I didn’t have the confidence I needed to make a 40-day writing promise. But this year, this time, I believe it is within my reach. The editing projects and novella I completed last year reminded me that I’m capable of sticking to a schedule, capable of completing projects, and perfectly capable of writing every day.
And another thing–a key thing that I must include–is that blogging doesn’t count. (SEE: The Dangers of Blogging (for a Writer)) It’s too easy to fall into the trap of blogging and calling it a day. No, this promise is strictly for making progress on my projects.
Nick Enlowe 