Daily writing prompt

What could you try for the first time?

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Trying something for the first time… I just finished reading an old book called Bird by Bird by Anne Lemont. I didn’t realize that it was written way back in the ’90’s, about the same time that I thought that maybe I could be a writer. I had this old desk top computer and my brother gave me a program that supposedly helped you write a novel. I was just recently married and for a while, stayed up late a few nights per week trying to put together this plot of a fantasy story that I came up with. Over time, like 25 years, I actually have written a few chapters of this thing and other stuff… but kids, a full time job, school off and on, and all of the responsibilities of life have certainly packed my time enough so that writing took a back seat. 12 months ago, I thought I would give it another go and I tried to figure out a way to start again: training my brain to write and keep at it. I discovered WordPress and started this website/blog and I am trying to put out writing pieces at a decent rate to hopefully gain some skills and improve.

It feels like I am trying this for the first time, though honestly I have been trying for decades. Am I getting better? I have no idea… Lemont says that, “becoming a writer is about becoming conscious. When you’re conscious and writing from a place of insight and simplicity and real caring about the truth, you have the ability to throw the lights on for your reader.” That sounds so deep and meaningful… I just really want to be like that! So, am I conscious? That would be defined as having awareness and being awake. I am awake but am I aware… that is a more difficult quality to precisely define.

I wish I was not so aware of my stubby fingers and words that are just not quite good enough flying around in my head like a swarm of mosquitoes in a swamp. This is not caring about the truth… nor simple. Too much of me in the way.

I am slowly working through the process of what it means to just write and not be worried about leaving a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. I am so worried about the final draft that I miss the adventure and joy of writing the first. Be present, real, and just turn on the lights…

I think that is what I need to do for the first time.