Wednesday, October 28, 2020

October Writing Prompt #10: Childhood

Hello, friends. Tanner's prompt for today is Childhood.

The first story I ever wrote was in first grade, I think. It was about a donkey that died and came back to haunt its owner. Where this idea came from, I have no idea.

As a semi-functioning adult now, I find myself wanting to return to childhood. I want to return to when writing was new and fun and pressure-free. Here's my usual thought process when writing nowadays:

"I wonder if anyone will read this. Ugh, that doesn't sound good, let me fix that. I should word that differently so it doesn't sound weird. Let's cut out this whole section. You know what, scratch that, I'm starting over."

I put so much time and energy into crafting something that people will read, that I neglect to consider what I like about my own writing. I forget to enjoy it.

Here's how I wish my thought process sounded:

"Ooh, that's an interesting thought. That would fit nicely in this paragraph, or I could add a whole new section. Actually, you know what, there's enough to that thought to save it for something else entirely. Let's table that. I have enough here, and now that it's focused, I can concentrate on the wording."

See the difference?

Currently, I'm thinking about how other people will perceive what I write. It would be healthier and more beneficial for me to focus on what I'm writing. Full stop, add the period. 

I hope I can return to that childhood sense of wonder and thrill in writing.

Stay tuned for October 31st: Be Not Afraid.

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