Many of you are participating in the classic 30/30 challenge. Some of you may be attempting it for the first time. From experience, I know how the first timers are feeling right about now.
If you don't have a lot of time on your hands, you have probably fallen behind already...maybe around Day 3. Am I correct? Maybe it was Day 4 or 5, but you have fallen behind at least once.
Now you are worried about your ability to do this. You may already feel like well I am behind, I won't be able to catch up.
Guess what? You are getting along just fine.
It's normal to fall behind. It's normal to have days where you can't write. You may freeze up for the rest of the month. It's okay!
The point of this challenge is to write. That's all. Forget about impressing other poets. Forget about editing a piece to perfection. Forget about missing days and falling behind. Don't be afraid to admit that you are only up to your third poem. Pick up from there, whether you start back up from 3/30 or 7/30. Don't worry if it's not your best. No poet is perfect (okay maybe there might be a few...). Share or don't share. DO WHATEVER YOU WANT, JUST DON'T GIVE UP.
Though if you have to stop the challenge, tell yourself it's okay. There's always next year. AND the beauty of being a writer is that you can do a 30/30 anytime. We have other months of the year.
I have been doing the 30/30 challenge since 2009. One year, I didn't even finished and I was ashamed of myself. All the things I have told you not to do, well I have done it to myself and let me tell you: It doesn't feel good and will do nothing for your writing.
This year I am challenge my literary journalism and marketing skills by blogging about poetry related things. I always wanted to write about my experiences in the literary arts, but I am not consistent. Maybe this will help me with consistency. Hopefully something I write will inspire and encourage others on the 30/30 and literary journey. Poetry is life and we have to write about the lives we live. And poetry of course (I will write a couple of poems!)
Hope this post was able to lift your spirits (just a little? please?) and move on past some of your doubts. If you need an ear or some help with writing, feel free to send a message my way!
Till next time, write on!