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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/books/entry_id/989690-July-was-a-Success
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by Emily Author IconMail Icon
Rated: 18+ · Book · Personal · #2166092
A blog to house my musings, curiosities, and fascinations.
#989690 added August 30, 2020 at 4:31pm
Restrictions: None
July was a Success!
July was a huge success for me. First, I paid off a big chunk of my student loans so I only have about $4,000 left to pay. I also got a raise at work, lost 10 pounds, and wrote A LOT! I mean ... WAY more than I normally write in a month. The things I wrote in July are listed below *Smile* Looking back, I wanted to reflect on how and why I had managed to write so much more than I’m normally able to write in a month. I think the partial answer is that I’m trying to catch up with the Contest Challenge, but also I’ve honed in my poetry writing process so it is easier for me to start a new piece. I always find it interesting when others share their writing process, so here’s a quick overview of mine (for poetry only, stories are a whole other beast).

First, I open my little book, grab a pen, and write the prompt or topic of the poem. Whatever it is that I’m supposed to be writing about. Then, I start doing some word association and word vomiting everything the prompt makes me think about. Often, interesting phrases emerge in this stage, but nothing concrete. When the word vomiting is finished, I read through the random phrases I’ve jotted down and underline things I think are good. Sometimes I’ll draw arrows between different thoughts that might connect. Then, I’ll usually write the lines I liked on a new page in my book and add more structure to the thoughts. If new phrases come to me at this stage, I include those as well. Usually, at this point, the theme and story of the poem starts to emerge. I’ll start writing numbers in the margins to indicate if the line should belong at the beginning of the poem, middle, or end. I’ll also draw arrows and add more connecting words to start stringing the poem together. At this point, I’ll rewrite all the lines again in their new order and including the additional words. Now, the poem is nearing its final stage. I’ll type it on my computer, adding line and stanza breaks where appropriate and punctuation. Usually, I’ll let it sit for a while (few hours) before coming back to re-read it. I’ll edit my punctuation and word choice at least twice before posting to WDC. With this method, I feel less pressure at the beginning and it allows me to start writing even if I don’t know what I’ll write about. It is also a fairly fast process, quite different from how I used to write, laboring endlessly over a single line to make it perfect before moving on. How I write now allows the full picture to come out first and then find order on the page. And it’s working! Here’s what it helped me write in July:

 
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Where the Ocean meets the Sand Open in new Window. (E)
This is the color that centers me - heals me
#2225972 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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On Traditions and Tiropita Open in new Window. (E)
Thoughts on making new traditions through food
#2225999 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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Cocooned in Time Open in new Window. (13+)
It would have been thrilling if I wasn’t drowning.
#2226181 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

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The Wolf Dog Open in new Window. (13+)
He still remembered his wildness
#2226215 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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The Shrouded Door Open in new Window. (ASR)
What happened to leave you this way?
#2226319 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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A Moment on Superior’s Shore Open in new Window. (E)
An observation of the simple life of another being
#2227111 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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The Bee's Bride Open in new Window. (13+)
Have you ever seen a bee sleep on the petal of a flower?
#2227145 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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Of Breath Open in new Window. (ASR)
Sometimes, it is hard to do even this one simple thing.
#2227146 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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The Joy of Bread Open in new Window. (E)
The way to my heart is simple...
#2227188 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

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Climate Refugees Open in new Window. (18+)
When Earth becomes inhospitable to the human race, where do we go?
#2227481 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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He is a River Open in new Window. (18+)
I embrace these feelings and let them carry me to where I’m meant to be.
#2227544 by Emily Author IconMail Icon

 
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Of Waters and Mothers Open in new Window. (ASR)
The language of water is one we all know, but soon forget
#2228219 by Emily Author IconMail Icon


In August, I will:

Read:
For "CLOSED!The Monthly Reading ChallengeOpen in new Window., "Little Mouse Loves to ReadOpen in new Window. and "Angel Product ReviewsOpen in new Window.
*Boxcheck* "Emma in the Night: A Novel"  Open in new Window.
*Boxcheck* "Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality"  Open in new Window.
*Boxcheck* "Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion"  Open in new Window.

Enter Contests:
*Boxcheck* *Boxcheck* *Boxcheck* *Boxcheck* *Box* "Promptly Poetry Challenge (2024-2025)Open in new Window.
*Boxcheck* "The Taboo Words Contest ~ On HiatusOpen in new Window. for "The Contest ChallengeOpen in new Window.

Contest Challenge Catch-Up:

*Boxcheck* June 2017 "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window.
*Boxcheck* March 2018 "The PET NEWS CONTESTOpen in new Window.

Continue Regular Commitments:
*BoxCheck* Normal review crediting for "WdC SuperPower Reviewers GroupOpen in new Window. and "Anniversary ReviewsOpen in new Window.

Be proud of yourself!
-Emily

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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/books/entry_id/989690-July-was-a-Success