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Grab a cup of tea or coffee (oh what the heck, get a danish too!) and sit a spell. You might want to grab your notebook and pen because you never know when you will be inspired to write down a quote, or jot down a poem of your own. Words are like that, they take you on a journey and the next thing you know you are breathing life into your own magical world of words.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Finding a Balance - Row80 Check In

I don't know why but I am having resistance writing my check in. It could be because I am doing things differently now, I don't know. I know that my writing is a growing and living thing at this point in my life. I also know that there is only one week left of this Row80 and I don't like endings. I haven't decided if I am going to participate again next round.

I am trying to find a balance of writing and visiting other's blogs, and there are so many blogs; I feel overwhelmed with it all. I feel tired. I feel... so much. I am not saying I am done. I am still here. I just don't have the energy to keep up with it all and do the writing that I am doing right now. I guess it is a good thing this is ending in a week.

My Check in:

In the beginning I didn't do much with my new blog, A Writer's Universe. I wanted to wait and see how it progressed and if this was going to become a regular thing. I wanted to see how it would grow. Today I realized I needed to make some changes because it has grown into a living and breathing entity of its own. If you decide to leave a comment I would love to know what you think of the new look.

I have written a few pieces this week for writing challenges which have pushed my writing into new areas. I wrote a poem for Trifecta and Words in Sync's Storyteller. I haven't written a poem in over 15 years. I was very happy with the results and hope if you haven't checked it out you will and leave a comment.

I wrote Pretty Enough - A Moment in Time, for Write on Edge which I had great resistance in doing. I actually had told myself again and again I wasn't going to write for this challenge. Then suddenly, day before yesterday I remembered that conversation in my mind and the resulting conversation with my friend and I knew it was perfect for the challenge.

I wrote Shapeshifters for Chaotically Yours frankly because she didn't have any other entries and I knew how that felt. It was at the last minute so it wasn't my best work but I decided I wanted to use it to get constructive criticism for my writing: it is interesting to learn how others see your writing. It was a very enlightening experience and I am truly grateful to those that decided to leave their thoughts.

I have kept up with my 750words.com but I am going to need to do a couple of mega word days to meet my 50,000 goal for this month.

My own contests aren't going well but I am enjoying myself and will continue to the end of the Teen Fantasy Fiction Writing Contest. I also will continue to have Flash Fiction Fridays, which I love. I know that some things take time but if I am patient, it will grow.

I created my About Me page which I have put off forever and a day.

I have made many comments on the challenge blogs over the last week but I know that in being able to do that and everything else I am doing I have neglected you, my fellow Rowers. I promise that I will at least get to five Rower blogs by Saturday.

Over all I am feeling good about the progress I have made during this journey and I look forward to see what I will learn and write next.

I hope that you have had a good week.  What have you learned about yourself this week? How have you stretched your writing skills?

Peace,
Morgan

17 comments:

  1. That's the one thing I absolutely love about challenges (and probably why I'm utterly addicted to them): I don't necessarily always do well with them, but I always learn something new about myself and my writing and benefit from it. That's why I adore RoW80 so much. If I'm not looking forward to the end of a round, it's mostly just because there's that break in the middle where I don't do check-ins. I'm constantly readjusting my goals so it doesn't matter so much in the Round we are...it's all just progress and learning, and a clean slate with each new turn.

    As far as visiting and commenting on blogs go, I used to stress out about that a lot, too, but then I just told myself that no one's really going to be upset if I don't manage to visit and comment on a bazillion blogs every day, that it's a much better experience when I have the time to be thoughtful and that's that. So I stopped worrying about it and now I enjoy it so much more. I wish I could be much better about it, but that just means I have to cherish the chances I get even more.

    Kind of rambly there. But I do like the new look and I think you've been doing a lot of great things with this round. Keep up the great work, whether you decide to continue with RoW80 or not. : )

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    1. It is nice to see you I am glad you stopped by to visit. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really hope you decide to do another story or two before the end of the contest in less than a week.

      I really appreciate your kind words and how you have encouraged me now and in the past. It means a lot.

      Peace,
      Morgan

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  2. I have to agree with L.S. The first Round I did, I stressed about keeping up with comments on blogs, and it really drained me. I think there are cycles, where some cycles are internal and others are more external. I have hidden in a cave at times, and been a cheerleader at others. So, do what you need to do for yourself and your writing, whether on the ROW or not.

    I like the new look very well, Morgan.

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    Replies
    1. I appreciate your support. Thank you for all of your encouraging words.

      I hope you visit again soon!

      Peace,
      Morgan

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  3. Hey, Morgan!

    I agree with what has been said about commenting on blogs. Essentially, comment if you feel like it; always, do what you can. I know you know all this. BTW, really like this look on this blog. Nice work. And, I have yet to write an About Me page but perhaps between rounds.

    I so admire your work with challenges and contests and remember how much energy they take; of course, the energy of writing at all is incredible. Maybe just some breathing for now, Morgan?

    Always love stopping by your blog, Morgan.

    Peace and rest, my friend,
    Karen

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    1. Thank you Karen, it is always a pleasure to see you. I appreciate your words of encouragement and support. I know I need to rest but I also feel like I have to get all of this writing done. I will do my best. :D

      Peace,
      Morgan

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  4. Morgan! Hey.. :) Sounds like you are ding splendid... I know what you mean about commenting blogs.. I said something about it on my ROW80 Facebook page earlier. I just cannot keep up! I subscribe to A LOT of blogs.. I really love when people comment on my posts, so I feel obligated to comment on others.. some days I just have no time... :/

    Keep up the great work!

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  5. Morgan, I don't know if you saw the post Roni Loren put out about the whole "Tit for Tat blogging thing" (Tia Bach also posted about it this week at Depression Cookies), because... well, we're all, it seems, getting a bit burnt out by the posting and replying, and...

    Give yourself the leave to "not be on" for a bit. Yes, the contest are fun (but I've found myself enjoying the instant rush of them and then berating myself later for not getting things I have been trying to finish for much longer, just because the contest are short and immediate while the WiPs are longer and more convoluted. For me, I realized I always felt worse after doing a contest, even when I did well... For you, perhaps something else works better.

    The new blog layout is wonderful. And I think you are right, that it has taken on a life of its own. Just don't let it take your life too. Don't stress out too much over it, or about daily posts or comments. Just make the posts you make, make it strong and powerful. It might take a little more time, but it WILL get to the same place.

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    1. For me the challenges help me dig into my writing about things that are tough to write about; they really challenge me and I like that. I am narrowing it down (doing less of them) and setting priorities which helps. I have also noticed the more I write the less I worry about how much feedback I am getting and I focus more on the quality of what I am writing. Still love the feedback I am just getting better about moving on to the next piece.

      Thanks for all the feedback and especially about the blog.

      Peace,
      Morgan

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  6. This is the second time I see Row80 this week! That's odd! (or was it you writing about it on another blog?? lol)

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    1. Hi Noelle, Row80 is a writer's group and we do check ins twice a week on our blogs. You can find them on FB and they have a webpage, http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/ where you can find out more about them.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Peace,
      Morgan

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  7. Hey Morgan. Sounds like you've been doing a LOT! I know the feeling of putting in the effort for all too little in return. My memes seem to mainly get me down than anything. My writing challenge seems way too slow. There are so many of them for everyone to participate in I think. I may stop mine at some point. I used to do one for mental health bloggers too, but I quite it. Too quiet.

    I wanted to say again how sorry I am about my pesky DISQUS commenting issues. I did appreciate your poem and I did stop by and comment of it.

    I have family staying at the moment - which is tiring too. *bleh* but I still try to get around all the blogs etc - which is hard going at times. There are so many Rowers! Well done to you for your progress.

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    1. Thanks Shah, yeah I won't be doing the thirty day contest anymore after the end of it on Tuesday but I will continue doing my Flashback Friday and see if it catches on. It all depends what I have time for it seems more good things are coming my way and I am very happy about it. I will be sharing what exactly it is on the last Wednesday check in this week.

      I appreciate all of the support and encouragement that you give me on a regular basis.

      Peace,
      Morgan

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  8. Wow! It does sound like you are really busy. I understand your frustration between spending time writing and spending time reading other blogs. It seems like one is always lacking.

    Stopping by from #commenthour

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    1. I am getting better about it. I am having to narrow things down to what is most important and what I need to let go of for a little while. I don't feel like I have enough older stuff to continue your FlashBackFriday but I will always pass it on. For now I want to continue #commenthour but there may come a time that I can only stop in to chat but not share my links. I don't want to be one of those people that just post a link and never leave a comment. :D I love all that you do to help connect people and their blogs. Thank you so much for stopping by!

      Peace,
      Morgan

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  9. I am learning so much for you Morgan. You and the other gals have become my writing gurus. I haven't heard of half these challenges you gals always seem to be in on, but I am now following them intently.

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    1. Writing guru... :) thanks Susan. All I know is I am a fast learner. I started this writing blog the end of January and I pay really good attention and I am still learning. Even this week I started doing something new with the hashtags in TweetDeck, which I love by the way. I tried HootSuite but haven't played with it much so I am more comfortable with TweetDeck. I am going to work on Sharing more Blogging for writers on this site soon.

      Thanks so much for stopping by, always love seeing you.

      Peace,
      Morgan

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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