004-The Dog Days (When It Isn’t Fun)

I have a confession to make, friends. We’ve been hanging out now since the beginning of June, and the time to make this disclosure is long overdue. Here it goes…I dislike the summer season. There! Done! I said it! I have a dislike of summer time, the season countless songs have tripped us along to in a casual, laid back lull that speaks of sweet but brief love and a carefree vibe that lacks any sense of worry for months.

Live look at me stepping out into the summer heat

Why all the Hakuna-Matata when my unmentionables are half plastered to my leg? Play all the Sublime and toss me all the sangria you want, it’s only going to warm my insides up to match the exterior…and you’re not fooling me with that 82 degree forecast. I’m well aware the humidity is making it feel like 96.

Since we’re going around the carousel called the Circle of Trust right now, a second unfortunate confession: writing and my ability to be creative has also been difficult of late. Even more concerning, I’m not sure if I understand why. Once I had invested in myself and committed to finishing the first draft of a novel, the speed at which I churned out work was unprecedented for me, especially considering my other commitments. The first draft finished, I created this website, dedicated to communicating with readers interested in their own blossoming creative processes while I seek to network and share my work as it is completed.

However, since editing began, the actual word count that I intend to continue adding to has not only stalled, it’s lessened. My novel continues to get shorter as I unceremoniously say goodbye to thousands of words that have been given birth from my caffeinated, over-stimulated brain. The words sent out to the public are the same that you’re reading right now, and not the grand plan that I envisioned spending hundreds of hours spewing forth from my imagination. Simply put, it hasn’t been nearly as fun.

What I’m trying to tell myself…and what we should all tell ourselves…is that it’s okay.

Editing is part of the writing process. Reading is part of the writing process. If I include the words that I’ve published through this blog, then I’m thousands of words deep and should credit myself as opposed to claiming that I’ve hardly written a word in weeks. Hell, the little bit of time I spend developing the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages are being done in an effort to develop a network for my writing.

What we need to do is give ourselves the decency and respect to accomplish what we set out to do no matter the task, and understand that as long as we commit to our goals as writers, creators, etc., this is part of the process.

Much like the summer season that I’m not particularly fond of, we can allow ourselves to have terms or phases. Maybe I’m not writing as much as I would like to. Maybe I’m not putting words into a second novel, or editing my first novel at the speed I would prefer…but I am making progress, and if you relate, then you are too.

Which brings me today. I took a rare stroll through Twitter and came across an announcement for a 24-hour writing contest, which happened to be scheduled for tomorrow. It was a company I followed and seemed legitimate enough for how some of these promotions go. However, for the cost, the single day commitment, and the idea that I would be provided a theme and a length at the same scheduled time as everyone else, I decided to pony up and put in. You know why?

Because it sounded fun and felt like a new form of motivation. So I’m in.

So your friend A.J who isn’t so fond of summer and feels like he’s in his first lull amidst editing and running a website, heads toward his first ever writing contest tomorrow…and I can’t wait. And the reason I mention this is because being a writer, being a creator or an artist…it’s not always just CREATING. And sometimes, yes—it feels like WORK, because it is…occasionally unpaid work with the lone benefits of having the satisfaction to release the ideas trapped within my imagination and the feeling of accomplishment that goes with it. And honestly, it’s nearly always worth it.

Allow yourself to submit to phases, terms, or separate seasons in your creativity and find new reasons to motivate yourself. Realize that all the tedious things you find yourself doing, from editing, establishing a base through social media…even brainstorming, researching, or outlining are all separate rocks that we kick down the same dirt road that leads to the same destination. Give yourself and your goals respect and the room to breathe.

Keep your eyes towards the horizon and keep moving forward. There’s sunnier days ahead.

Even if it’s ninety-seven fucking degrees outside.

Have you given yourself the respect the recognize the phases of your creative process? What ways have you managed to fight your “dog days?” Comment below!!

If you are interested in sharing information about your creative process and talking about your own work, reach out to me on the contact page and a future blog may center around you! It’s a great way to showcase your projects!