elektra rex

GetYourWordsOut: Year Eleven!
Pledges & Requirements | GYWO.net

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Alright, so many of you know that I've been participating in getyourwordsout for the past few years. Apparently it's been five years or so, which is crazy. This is such a great community, with extremely enthusiastic and supportive writers and fantastic resources. If you're not yet a member, it's a great community to be in as a writer. And the goals are very flexible and attainable for writers of all kinds.

I've done some great things in the community. One year I wrote over 300k words, and this year I've written for 350 days out of the year. I've started and run a Book Club for writers, an endeavor that is still in development. I've pushed myself so far and tried new things, and it's been wonderful. This year I'm terrified honored to accept the privilege of stepping up to be a mod. Basically thing means I have great power, and great responsibility. /o\

I pledged to write for 240 days in 2019. I really like the Habit pledges because they let me shape my writing time as I need to. I don't have to count words, I just have to sit down and write. This year I found the 350 day pledge a bit stifling. It felt like the pledge to write for 350 days pushed me into a cage, where I had not choice about writing, even when the day was difficult. (My issues with commitment and failure are for a post of another kind.) I pushed myself every day this year, with the exception of just a few days, and it left me exhausted. I also feel like this year, I let writing take me away from the living of life. I committed to writing 350 days, and promptly hid in my apartment and set to it. I let writing be an excuse for me to avoid going out and trying new things and living a multi-faceted life. I am definitely an introvert, but I'm not that much of an introvert.

In 2019 my goal is to continue to be a writer and have a rich writing life, but also to live more. I need to read more and relax more. I need to go out and breathe fresh air, and do the kinds of things that will inspire my writing. I need to give myself space to think about writing more, without the pressure of pushing out words. I need to see my friends more often and have more fun. I'm not yet thirty, yet I'm living life like if I take it easy, I'll lose everything. I need to chill the fuck out.

And what a goal that is.