I signed up to AugNo thinking I’d have a goal of 20,000 words. That breaks down to around 645 words a day. I’m realizing that I should probably ask to have my goal modified, since I’m making progress and I’d really like to have Windygates finished by the end of August.

I’ve also had a re-kindling of interest in writing short stories. That’s all Mike Arnzen’s fault, as I won a copy of his Instigation: Creative Prompts on the Dark Side not too long ago, and his prompts are not only tickling and taming the muse, they’ve got the fornit under a spell, too.

There are so many words floating around in my head, I sometimes feel like I’m going to burst. Even when I’m taking a break to spend time with the girls, or to work on other things, I have ideas popping in. I’ve returned the idea book to its place on the desk, and I’ve got a fresh batch of pens, just in case.

If nothing else, I have to say that the summer WriMos have lit a fire… and in more ways than one.

A few things have hit me this past week. Some of them, as with all progress in learning and growth, have been a wee bit painful. Others, not so much.

One is that I’m still harboring a lot of anger and frustration to the judicial system. Even though things are being taken care of through spiritual and…less than spiritual…methods, I want to handle them personally. Physically. With as much imagination and viciousness as any former wanna-be horror writer can muster. There are times lately when I’m reveling in the pure, cold rage I feel.

On the flip side of that — and I do mean flip side — since I’ve begun writing again, I am far more relaxed, less reactionary, no where near as quick to anger. Thankfully these days outweigh those previously explained. I don’t think it’s just the writing, I think it’s moving back into my spiritual studies, being outside more (even though the migraines from photo-sensitivity are almost daily), breathing…

… changing genre focuses …

Something in the past few months has just clicked, and for the first time in so long, I feel like myself again. I’m not trying desperately to impress anyone, not worrying that I’m saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing, not trying to fit in with this crowd or that, not following erroneous advice so folks can watch me trip over my own feet. I’m just being, and not following.

Hello, Jodi. Nice to see you again. It’s been a long time.

So, this week, go out and be. Take your pen and notebook with you, just in case. I bet you find something inspiring!

<3 JL

Want to be inspired, prompted, instigated? Pick up a copy of Instigation of your own!
Believe me, you’ll be happy you did… <|;^)
Instigation: Creative Prompts on the Dark Side
by Michael A. Arnzen