Please step into the Wayback machine with me. It’s the end of 2011, and I am a writer who rarely writes. Yes, I have a couple of finished books, but I’ve published nothing. From time to time, I write. But then, it’s random, scattered, and has no pattern or regularity to it.
As New Year’s Eve 2011/2012 approached, I created my first New Year’s Action. Not a flimsy, intangible resolution, a tangible actionable idea. I would write a blog entry every Wednesday. Without fail, that was the action I was going to take.
And I did. Every single Wednesday since January 4, 2012, I’ve written a blog entry on my life philosophy, called Pathwalking. I’ve never missed a week, and as of this week, I’ll be at 693 consecutive weeks of blogging.
Suffice it to say, the action stuck. With that, I began to write more regularly. One blog a week became two, then three, and at one point, I was writing 6 blogs a week, sharing them both to my website(s) and Medium.
In time, this led to a more thorough, focused pursuit of my writing passion overall, and with that, I’m producing multiple works of fiction a year. This May, I’ll put Jay and Char Save the Galaxy – a standalone (for now) sci-fi comedy – out into the world. In the fall, I’ll begin publishing the first of the 4 new books in my Forgotten Fodder clone and conspiracy sci-fi series.
Even as I put more time and effort into fiction, I continue blogging 3 days a week. Why do I write the blogs that I write?
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Blogging is cathartic. Blogging is an electronic form of journaling. Journaling is a way to get thoughts, feelings, ideas, frustrations, and other things from your head to the page or screen. This can be incredibly therapeutic and good for your overall health, wellness, and wellbeing.
In addition to the blogs you see, I also journal daily. That’s private, and it helps me collect thoughts and feelings I don’t care to share but need to put somewhere not in my head, heart, and soul.
When I blog, it’s on three distinct topics. Monday is genuine, nontoxic Positivity in response to the frequent negativity of the start of the work week (and a world seemingly going mad). Wednesday is the aforementioned Pathwalking, my life philosophy blending conscious reality creation, mindfulness, and my belief that the meaning of life is simply to live.
This blog is about art, the arts, writing, and all the craziness that goes into it, especially if you’re a professional. I share these ideas because I know that I’ve gleaned a lot of support, useful notions, and helpful ideas from others who have shared with me. This is how I give back.
But more than that, this is part of MY writing journey. I share my process and approach because, first and foremost, I love helping others. Anything I can do to assist you and your journey, help you feel less alone and disempowered, makes me feel accomplished. Whole. Complete.
There is one more important reason why I write the blogs that I write.
My workspace. Photo by MJ Blehart
Why I write the blogs that I write
In my 20s and 30s, I was about as inconsistent as a person could be. I bounced between jobs, relationships, and homes. Nothing made me feel satisfied, complete, and whole. I was always seeking that thing, the right job, perfect relationship, and greener grass I was convinced I kept missing.
Writing has been my passion for most of my life. I write the blogs that I write as part of my need, my drive, to write. To create. My instinct is to share not just stories of my imagination but also my strange, often inexplicable thoughts, feelings, and intentions.
Part of why I write the blogs that I write is for myself. To remember where I am, where I’ve been, and the goals I have for the future on the mental, emotional, spiritual, and even physical planes. Part of why I write the blogs that I write is for you. To show you that you’re not alone, you’re not the only one questioning, questing, and going through this wild and often infuriating life experience.
Most of all, the main reason I write the blogs that I write is because writing is my love language. Storytelling via words that you can read, that anyone can access and read, makes me feel complete, whole, and content.
I write the blogs that I write for you and me both
It’s a compulsion akin to breathing for me to sit down, do the work, and write. Fiction, nonfiction, novels, the blogs that I write – this is my happy place, the place I feel most myself and at home.
It’s not always easy to put myself here. Many blogs have been a challenge to get onto the screen. Often, I’ve had to push myself to ignore the distractions and write that book. Once the process starts and the words flow, however, I’m grounded and content.
You’re not alone if you find creating your art, whatever it is, often challenging. I write the blogs that I write for both you and me, to show that you’re not alone or crazy in fighting the creative battles. The process is ongoing, and if you’re anything like me, it feels more right and true and genuine than anything else you can conceive of.
Keep at it!
Thanks for reading. As I share my creative journey with you every week, please consider this: How are you inspired and empowered to be your own creator, whatever form that takes?
Please take a moment to check out the collection of my published works, which can be found here.
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