It's been a while

[burendasan4]

So I had promised myself that I would write on LJ more often once I finished with grad school...but that doesn't seem to be happening (writing on LJ more often I mean...grad school is definitely done!). I don't know why this is because honestly, there is no excuse for this. This is something not many of you know, but at the beginning of January, I started a Word Count Journal. The way it works is that the first day you begin with it, you write only one word. The next day you write two, and each day you add one more word to your word count. Within a year, you are supposed to have written several thousand words, which is about a small novel's worth.
Well, I was pretty faithful in keeping up with it and even if I missed a day, I would make up for it the next day. I usually wrote on it in the morning before class or work while drinking my morning coffee. I liked writing on it because at first, the low word count made me get creative in how I wrote things and later on, because I didn't share this journal with anyone, I felt free to write what I wanted. I found this a relaxing part of my morning routine that allowed me to truly be myself in my writing. In fact a lot of these entries were LJ-worthy and sometimes wondered if the time I spent writing this journal couldn't have been spent on LJ.
As I said, I was pretty good at keeping up with it until the beginning of May, when I was home for two weeks and then the summer term with all its craziness, began. Since then, I have deleted my WCJ account, but not before saving all my entries on my computer.
So anyway, I am thinking about using the time I spent on writing my Word Count Journal (which was during the morning--the time I'm writing this) to keep up with my LJ. I wouldn't have to keep a strict word count...I could just write whatever came to mind (which is what I know a LOT of you do but is something I have a hard time with) and of course, I wouldn't feel pressured to write on it every day.
We'll see how it goes....

Comments

[slashtacular.livejournal.com]

That word count journal thing sounds interesting, but I don't think I'd be interested in it. Not only do I not typically update my journal once a day, but I'd have to use it for at least a month before I could so much as put two sentences together! Maybe that'd help me have enough material to update it daily, but I like being coherent.

But yeah...updating is good. :)

[burendasan4.livejournal.com]

I thought it was fun trying to convey my entire day in like, 5 words ;-)

[slashtacular.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess it could make the early days amusing to read. On the other hand, if you kept doing it long enough, you'd probably have to write a dissertation-length entry every day! Not good ;)

[intothebluagain.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a neat project! Something small like that to get you awake and focused is a wonderful idea for someone like you, who, shall we say, is not on the best of terms with the morning light ;) I'd definitely recommend just writing something small and positive (or whatever) in the morning, even if it's just on a little text file. You can then go back and treat it like a little diary or something. Routines are what help you get thru the day sometimes.

[burendasan4.livejournal.com]

You are sooo right! (about me and the morning light) But yeah...writing on my WCJ did get me up and going and was also a good way to relax before heading off to work.

[slashtacular.livejournal.com]

I have to say that I also find it helpful to keep text files / Word docs for my random thoughts and such. I even kept a paper journal for a while, although I haven't written in it since I got here. It's a good outlet for things that you might not otherwise get to discuss.

[faechild-jax.livejournal.com]

I recall you mentioning the word count thing and thinking it was a pretty cool idea. Either way, it would be awesome if you were to update everyday! ::laughter:: Maybe I should try it and get the juices flowing...

::sighs:: Maybe it would help me de-stress. :)