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Old Friend From Far Away | Round Two

Wednesday, February 12, 2014


When I was in college, writing was a dream that seemed attainable. I already did it every day--academic papers kept me sharp and well-read, and my creative writing minor had me pumping out quality personal essays on a regular basis. And then there was the feedback--the constructive criticism that made me better every time. I never knew what I was going to "do with my life" (sometimes I still don't), but I knew that I would always write.

This might sound ridiculous, but this blog doesn't always feel like a place where I write. I don't like that. It feels like I'm not being true to myself in some way. I love sharing my life with you guys, but I want 2014 to be the year I start writing more things I'm proud of--things that feel more like complete pieces than blog posts. And I want to start getting better again, because when I sit down to a blank Word document, I realize just how rusty I've gotten.

Back in 2011, I vowed to write a piece of creative nonfiction every week. It was obviously an ambitious goal, or else I would have done it. But I would like to try again.

These posts will be labeled "Old Friend from Far Away" (because the writing prompts are all taken from the book--get it here), and I'm not sure how I'm going to go about them. I once made a list that I think was easy to follow, so I'll go ahead and do that again. I've spoken with a few people who would like to follow the prompts and write along, and I'd love that.

02/17: What's been on your mind? What have you carried and gnawed over? (OFFA, 154)
02/24: Tell about periods when you haven't read. What were you doing? Where and when do you read best? (OFFA, 160)
03/03: Often we are pulled between two places...Tell us about them. Give us the pull, the conflict, the desire. (OFFA, 204)

03/17: Write about your mother's jewelry. Write about her shoes. (OFFA, 153)
03/24: What is your anchor, what you trust and know and can come home to over and over in your writing? (OFFA, 238)
03/31: What is the third thing? There is you and there is writing. But you can't write about writing. It's ingrown. You and writing must gaze out at a third thing. Of course, a fourth, a fifth will appear, but for now the two of you look out together. What is there in this world? (OFFA, 42)

Thanks for reading. Thanks for writing.

Photo credit: Winona Grey Photography

12 comments:

  1. This is a great idea, Megan! Last year I read like crazy, but wrote a lot less. I committed to use this spring as a time to jump start my writing again. Blogging has become so much different for me lately. I miss the true writing (ie not just keeping a been there, done that, try this kind of journal). I'd love to hear about ANYTHING - books, blogs, authors, essays - that have or are helping you with your writing. And I'm looking forward to making these prompts part of my "operation write again" challenge! Thank you!!!

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  2. I love this SO MUCH. Just the idea of contributed to my blog as a place where I write and share. Thank you for sharing some prompts. I think this will truly help me set a focus. After last year, there are a lot of things I want to share and start a discussion about but just wasn't quite sure how to do that. I'm definitely going to participate in some of these. Thank you Megan!

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  3. This is great! I am really pushing myself to work on the novel I've always wanted to write this year, but it's slow going. I enjoy writing posts for my blog, but it definitely doesn't always feel the same as actual writing, if that makes sense.

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  4. hey! i absolutely love your blog and have no idea how i came across.. but i'm happy i did =)
    your idea is awesome and i can totally relate to you on writing. it's been a while since i wrote something really meaningful. these prompts are so good!! sometime's we really do need for someone to just point a little direction to us and these are great =)

    you have one new follower on Bloglovin - would love if you follow back :)

    xo, Brikena
    www.jarofjoy.blogspot.com

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  5. I love this idea! I'm working on a novel so I am writing regularly (not quite every day, but most days), however I've been thinking more about writing creative nonfiction again. I haven't done so for quite some time. I also agree with you about writing for a blog. Even though it's writing it doesn't feel the same as writing a story or an essay or a poem. I'm looking forward to reading your posts! I need to pull out Natalie Goldberg's books again.

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  6. Oh, I love this! Count me in, as well. I can't wait.

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  7. Such a beautiful idea, good luck with it! I've also felt more compelled to write things of substance recently. It's actually easier for me than writing the more typical blog post. Can't wait to read what you write.

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  8. I love this idea. I used to write all the time. I still read every day. In fact, I schedule an hour every morning to sit and read before I begin my day. I really feel like my day isn't complete if I don't sit on my sofa and read each day.

    I wrote a book once. It was a wonderful experience. Entire days would fly by as I sat at my keyboard. Trying to get it published wasn't as enjoyable and I never found the time to do it again. There are always several books sitting on my coffee table waiting for my attention. I have recently given in and started downloading e-books...because there are some books I want to read but I don't want to own. And then there are some books that I love owning and having out just to look at and and remember how happy it made me feel to hold the hardback cover in my hands and turn the pages.

    Here is a prompt for you...when did you first realize you loved to read? Who did you read with, and where did you sit to read most often? At what age did you read your first adult novel? Who gave it to you? Start at the beginning and take it from there.

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  9. I love this idea. I used to write all the time. I still read every day. In fact, I schedule an hour every morning to sit and read before I begin my day. I really feel like my day isn't complete if I don't sit on my sofa and read each day.

    I wrote a book once. It was a wonderful experience. Entire days would fly by as I sat at my keyboard. Trying to get it published wasn't as enjoyable and I never found the time to do it again. There are always several books sitting on my coffee table waiting for my attention. I have recently given in and started downloading e-books...because there are some books I want to read but I don't want to own. And then there are some books that I love owning and having out just to look at and and remember how happy it made me feel to hold the hardback cover in my hands and turn the pages.

    Here is a prompt for you...when did you first realize you loved to read? Who did you read with, and where did you sit to read most often? At what age did you read your first adult novel? Who gave it to you? Start at the beginning and take it from there.

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  10. I can totally relate to having a blog, yet feeling like I don't really write. When I do write, people tend to skim so I've gotten used to editing a lot out. I'd love to write something creative every week!

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  11. you know I love it when you write - really write, you know - here best! those are my favorite posts. I'm glad we'll get more of that :)

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