Small wins

I was tempted to name this post 'Fail', given the long gap, but I'm going to be nice to myself.

So, I haven't done any blogging for the past month or so. I could list a ream of excuses. But here's what I have done:

• I've not given up entirely and delete my blog (again)
• I've carried on going to a writing class
• I've told a few friends that I've started writing (peer pressure/moral support)
• I've talked to a few people in the Twittersphere about writing
• I've read a lot about writing
• I've written almost 1,000 words of something that might just turn into a proper story. And I read it out to people and they seemed to like it.

There we go, a series of small wins! 

My writing course is almost finished and, while I'm disappointed it wasn't more structured, and I'm not sure I'll go back, it has been good to get out there and make a start on something creative. It's given me a boost just to acknowledge that I want to give writing a go again, and this is starting to quell my inner editor (Ed: let's not get too carried away with ourselves).

I've met a few weird and wonderful characters to base another story on, too. In fact, I've been sitting there thinking what pure sitcom gold the whole experience is. Maybe I should put the 1,000 word story beginning to one side for a bit and write about those characters for a little bit instead.

Another thing that's been floating around in my head is whether I should try a more structured course. I am not one for self-motivation - I seem to use all of that up at work - so the idea of a programme appeals to me. I've been looking at a few online options, but think I'd miss talking to real-life people and getting instant reactions.

We'll see. One small win at a time!

Back in the zone

After years of thinking about it, a couple of false starts, and a lot of procrastination, I've now started writing again.

What I have noticed so far is that I'll do anything to avoid sitting down and putting pen to paper, outside of the creative writing classes I've been going to. So far this evening I've caught up on all my correspondence, spent too long looking at this amazing Buzzfeed of sleeping kitties, and watched a lot of awful television. (Don't Tell The Bride, anyone?)

So this blog is back after a two-year hiatus to achieve two things: to act as a place for the writing that I want to do that isn't so creative; and so that - rather than spending hours on Facebook or Damn You Autocorrect - I might procrastinate in a more productive way and get some words out into the blogosphere.

Let's see how this thing goes!