Overcoming Obstacles by Jane Walters
Last year, a lovely friend sent me an unexpected present through the post. It was a 5-year diary with a difference: each day asks one specific question which you answer on the provided blank lines. I’m not even a full year on yet, but already these questions open up some interesting responses. Here are some examples:
Is your house clean?
What expression do you overuse?
What surprised you today?
What was your last great meal?
If you were a literary character, who would you be?
It’s great fun filling in the gaps each day and I find it
much easier to keep up with than a regular diary. But every now and then, the
question smacks me between the eyes. I had already settled on which topic to
write this blog on, but this morning (12 June) I read this: ‘Is something in
your way? Can you move it?’
On Saturday 15 June, ACW are hosting another in their
series of Zoom events, with a theme of Overcoming Obstacles. (Book here: ACW
Summer Writers' Day Two (Zoom) Tickets, Sat 15 Jun 2024 at 10:00 | Eventbrite
– you can even choose to watch it later.) Sarah Grace will be leading on
Imposter Syndrome – that dreaded fear of being found out that leeches away our
self-confidence – and I’ll be addressing some of the other issues that get in
the way of us writing. The hope is that once these obstacles are removed or
overcome, we can get on with the joyful bit: the wonderful heart-satisfaction
that comes through writing.
As a sideways example, I have a dream of buying bunkbeds
for when my grand-daughters to come and stay. I have researched them thoroughly
– well, sufficiently to appreciate how jolly expensive they are and therefore I’ll
stick to Facebook Marketplace, thank you very much – and in my mind they are
already installed and resplendent with two sleeping bodies. However, if I were
to post here a photo of the room they are destined to go in, you’ll appreciate
the problem. There is barely a square inch of floor space, whilst the room
serves as a kind of indoor shed.
Translate this to our writing. We have a dream: a
bestseller? A thesis? (Fill in the gaps for your own WIP.) We even have plans:
a self-imposed deadline, take a week off work to make a dent in it, send the
family off somewhere to give us some peace. But…here is where reality can bite.
No matter how great (and achievable) the dream, our ‘floor space’ is filled
with obstacles that trip us up, obscure the view and make us want to give up
before we have barely started.
Sounds familiar? Why not come along on Saturday, listen
to some great teaching and join in the discussions? Learning from each other is
the equivalent of helping clear out our spare rooms…
Jane Walters is Chair of ACW and leads ACW group Green Pastures Christian Writers.
www.janewyattwalters.com
Insta: @readywritersretreats
I can't recommend it highly enough!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could. I need to hear this. Because of severe deafness and the need to lipread Zoom doesn't work for me. Maureen Chapman - pressed anon button by accident and can't change it.
ReplyDeleteMaureen, have you used the captions feature? It renders everything spoken as written word on the screen.
DeleteHi I have just seen this. i had forgotten the captions option. Hubby is recovering from a heart attack and is doing well, but is forgetful and needs me to help him at times. Saturday am we do the weekly shop. I'll try to join if i can. i could watch later. Thankyou so much for caring.
DeleteMy pleasure. I hate to think of you missing out x
DeleteThanks Jane, yes my 'floor' is often cluttered! I can't make Saturday but after reading this I have booked a ticket to receive the recording.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good decision, David!
DeleteLovely post, Jane. Thanks for all the encouragement about tomorrow and our writing. Never seen a diary like the one you mentioned! What a lovely present! See you tomorrow by God's grace. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteIt will be good to see you there, Sophia
Delete