September 30^th

So, we are here on day 30!  Did I post 30 posts? The answer is technically yes. I want to give you a quick snapshot of what posting for 30 days in a row on WordPress really felt like.  At first, it was exhilarating. I was so excited about what I would post and when. Until I could not find any completed essays; they were all over the place, saved on Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and my phone, but not on my laptop. I didn’t have as many complete essays as I thought.   Also, I had a lot of improperly named documents. It was a lot of Document 1, Document 2. There were 90 unnamed documents; some just needed edits, and some were only a sentence.

First Lesson Learned: Organize all your work and create proper naming structures.

Another issue: understanding WordPress publishing. WordPress uses UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). That means posting at midnight UTC is really 10 pm or 11 pm Eastern Standard Time. So, when I wasn’t paying attention, I had two posts in one day instead of one a day. I missed two days by accident. As I wrote in one post, I realized that I will not officially hit my 30 days of posting. ☹ I have kept posting because my goal with posting was to challenge myself to stop hoarding my writing and finish my essays and short stories.

Second Lesson Learned: Learn what UTC is and use it effectively so you can be consistent.

My writing is horrible. I mean, it’s trash, but I can see the growth now, and I’m willing to work on it.  A lot of people will say, “Oh no, don’t say that,” but it’s okay to say this work is bad. Then I will create a plan to improve my writing. I am fine with taking classes, going to seminars, going to the old school, and using a thesaurus, not the computer thesaurus. I don’t think my writing is perfect. I know I can connect with others, which is a start. Now I want to make sure what I am conveying is accurate and well written.

Third Lesson learned: I need to keep writing to get better, but it’s time for me to go back to writing seminars and writing groups.

I realized I do like to write like I am talking to you in person. Like we are having a conversation, so the language I use is less English 101 and more like a phone call with a friend, or a convo you have at the bar. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with writing that way for fun, but you have to remember that when you publish it. You are never sure who will read the post. What if they wanted more formal writing, or were you too relaxed? Finding the balance between easy, conversational tones and proper, conventional writing is delicate.

Fourth Lesson strives for a balance that works for you and your writing.

Using Grammarly has become a crutch for me, and it’s time to get back to old-fashioned editing. I love Grammarly; for years, I have been told my use of commas and other grammar rules is lacking. I am not a strong technical writer. I got Grammarly for Grad school, and still use it for work, emails, and other important documents. I am now noticing that, using Grammarly, I might be over-editing the pieces. I use certain words because they make my writing stand out, orbecause  I love the connotation and emphasis they add. Using Grammarly and other editing software, I notice it simplifies the words. The request for simpler sentences in this software is irksome. I went back and read a few of my pieces that I use Microsoft Editor for versus Grammarly. I like Microsoft Editor better. Also, editing on your own lets you add more detail and clarify it. I believe Grammarly has a place in writing, but it is okay not to use it for every piece you write. I used it for a short story, and it took all the innuendo and subtext out of the piece.

Fifth Lesson Learned: you can over-edit a post; choose the appropriate editing technique for the appropriate writing.

I learned the last one, and I want to elaborate on it. Even if you miss a day, keep going! Listen, I missed 2 days of posting: one was because I didn’t have a post ready, and another was because I messed up the UTC. I also double-posted the same post. In the past, I would have given up and walked away, but this time I was like, no. I am going to keep posting! I want to share my unhinged, unfounded astrology thoughts. I want people to find a post that gives them hope or makes them laugh. Missing a day does not mean it is ruined. Listen to the great Aaliyah sing in the song “Try Again”: “And if at first you fail (first you do not succeed)/ Then dust yourself off and try again.”  For real, building resilience is about getting back up and trying again. I don’t know where this writing journey will take me. I want to clear my brain of frivolous thoughts and create an essay book that becomes a secondary income.  I don’t know, but I have found joy and contentment in this personal challenge.

Last Lesson Learned: Keep going!

Anyway, these are my top six lessons learned: plan the challenge better, keep going, and don’t over-edit. Overall, this was a good exercise to work towards. I learned a lot about myself. I cleared a good chunk of the essays and writing on my computer. Next, I’m going to tackle my short stories, because those characters and stories are just sitting there, waiting to be read. I might do this challenge again in a few months, but on a different blog.

Until Next Time,

Che Michelle