01 | November | 2015 | Kate's Bookshelf

My Write 31 Days list that is a little messy.

Why did I think I could get by without another post this weekend? Seriously, I hadn’t thought of a recap post at all. Not sure why I didn’t, but then I’m not one to carry something on when I’m done. When I’m done, I’m done. So recapping the month of October is a new thought to wrap my head around. But it’s a good thing.

So, I started off the month with plans to write about feminine things and I managed to keep the theme going clear through the end. Yes, there were some days where there was only a quote or a short-ish post. Several posts where I wondered why I was even writing because I wasn’t saying anything someone couldn’t find out by Binging it. I didn’t add in any new advice or new information. It was mostly a month of personal posts, things I found I liked and so forth.

But at the same time, I hope you, my readers, my dearies (sorry, I’m still channeling Rumpelstiltskin from OUAT) enjoyed what I had to say. I honestly think my poetry was a little more exciting, but at the same time, it was fun all around to dabble in a theme. Last year I had more of a random month of just, well, randomness. There wasn’t a specific theme to stick to, so in a sense, it was easier. This year, I had to make sure what I was writing related to women. I had several things I wanted to write about that were not women related, so I put them on the back burner, and promptly forgot about them. Short attention span, I guess. If I can’t remember it, then I must not have really needed to write about it.

I did struggle as I wrote, some days not writing till late evening and I felt kind of guilty. I wanted to stick with the writing every single day and not skipping. I stressed a little about ‘checking the box’ for writing that day. I wasn’t worried about post length or even originality too much, but I did stress over writing ever single day. It wasn’t until I mentioned this on the Facebook group page for the Write 31 Days community that someone told me not to worry. And the person that said that was Crystal Stine herself, the moderator and head girl in charge this year for the challenge.

This is what she said: “Just so you know, writing in advance or using quotes isn’t cheating smile emoticon it’s how I did a lot of my series and I love that you stuck with the goals you set for yourself. I just don’t want anyone else to think they did it “wrong” if they scheduled their posts smile emoticon My favorite part, personally, has been all the creative and unique ways everyone found to complete the challenge – there is no “right way” to blog and it was fun seeing what worked for everyone!”

This was so incredibly helpful. I am cutting myself some slack, and I am going to take a little mental break. I am going to listen to what else she said in her Periscope that I can watch on a video she uploaded Here. I like that she says to rest. I seriously need to.

I had been feeling a little weird about the writing towards the end of the month. Partly because some of my ideas had flown out the window at the last moment, and other ideas came because I finally pulled up my Firefox Pocket (a cool app on Firefox that allows you to ‘pocket’ links to articles so you don’t have to save millions of bookmarks. Yeah, because I need to read all those things I have no time for) But that is where I came up with the post on what women need to know. I had the article floating around in there.

So, in conclusion, this was a fast month that flew by and I wrote more religiously than any other time. It felt good. It felt stressful, and it left me wanting to continue. Just like I want to continue on with more poetry, but haven’t made time for. I decided a week and a half ago to sign up with The Daily Post‘s new Blogging U course. I believe it is Writing 101. It runs from November 2 through the 27, I believe. Writing every day to keep the ideas going. While I might not stay with all the suggestions, I will try to take time to work on all the things I need and want to work on. I have several children’s book ideas floating around in my head, from female carpenter bees that only go to purple flowers (of course, because they are purple!) to Blue Jays as being the re-foresters of the world (what with all their acorn placement) I have novels I have started and let idle along. I have a short story that needs submitting to Readers Digest…. or other literary magazines.

I have a house that needs a serious de clutterization. No that is not a word, but it works. I also call it deleting. I need to delete things from my life.

So November promises to be a busy month. I will rest though, like Crystal said. I don’t want to get burned out, but at the same time, I want to keep going. I do know some serious correspondence letters are in my future. Jules needs a letter. As to others.

On a side note, some of my favorite posts this month were:

What were your favorite posts? Anything that stuck out? Anything you would like to see in the coming year? I don’t normally ask my readers what they would like to see, but I would love some input. What do you like to read about? Tell me in the comments section below and I will seriously consider it.

Thank you for spending this month with me.

Kate