01 April, 2014

#atozchallenge: Allons-y!




For me, the first of April dawns not with practical jokes and pranks but in a flurry of writing power as the A to Z Blogging Challenge launches its annual voyage across the internet.

But, this morning, I wasn't feeling the inspiration. Words were anathema to my brain as the mere thought of pushing "publish" on a blog entry filled me with palm-sweating agitation. I have a plan, I told myself. There is absolutely nothing to worry about when you have a plan. You know what to do - do it! I couldn't, though, for one simple reason: what if it wasn't good enough? What if you all laughed at my thoughts? Worse, what if you got bored? What if I just jabbered about something meaningless that would then be preserved for the public eye as long as the internet lasts? What if...

The what if's paralyze the best of us. They block inspiration, trap the imagination, and darken the joy we would otherwise experience. Worrying about the worst that could happen doesn't save us from disaster - it only keeps us from living in today's moments.

So, with no genius descending from the clouds to mark my post with the brilliance of deep thought, I decided to share that with you. Because I'm going to push "publish" and you're going to read this. Maybe you'll laugh. Some of you might have already moved on to the next blog. And maybe it is meaningless in all the writing presented to the world in this moment. But I'm still doing it.

This month, if you're participating in the challenge (and even if you're not), don't waste time worrying. Just push "publish." Live life. Go for it. That's what this thing is all about.

So...

Allons-y!






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Dr. Seuss' "Oh the Thinks You Can Think" begins tomorrow. There are only 20 pages in that book, so I had to space them out over the weekdays. That means Saturdays will be Other Blog days showcasing some of my favorite writers from around the web.  If you have favorites of your own, drop me a line on my Facebook page!

17 comments:

  1. I agree sometimes the best action is to just dive in. Can't wait to see what you are pushing that "button" for.

    Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

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  2. It is so hard sometimes to just jump in without stressing. Good for you!
    I am looking forward to Dr. Seuss!
    doreenmcgettigan.com

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    Replies
    1. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and jump. :)

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  3. Don't think of anything Just write... loving reading you as I already said...

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  4. I'm ready to go Jessica!
    I love anything Seussical!

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  5. You'll never know till you try, and see you already did it! One letter down. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Shells–Tales–Sails

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  6. I laughed. ;) The last three blogs I've read have all talked about lack of inspiration, in some form or another... I think the universe is trying to tell me something, haha.

    Thanks for dropping by my blog!

    Alex Hurst, fantasy author in Japan, participating in Blogging A-Z April Challenge.

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  7. I laughed but not at you so much as with you. In the spirit of having been (more often than I care to admit) feeling exactly that way and sometimes the best thing to do is precisely this :) Allonsy.

    *~MAJK~*
    A-to-Z Challenge 2014
    Mighty Minion of Co-Host Nicole Ayers
    @Safireblade on Twitter
    http://www.safireblade.com/

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  8. Yup I think the idea should be keep publishing and not let writer's block strike you.
    Glad to be here

    Rajlaksmi
    #atozchallenge

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  9. Good for you for hitting the publish button. See, it wasn't that bad after all.
    A great post, thanks for sharing. :)

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  10. Nike got it right. :) JUST DO IT! kick those negative voices in the head and plow on! <3

    Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
    My A to Z
    Caring for My Veteran

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  11. well done, you've started, it gets easier :)

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  12. I felt the same way before hitting publish on my A post. I'm doing a complete story and keeping it interesting and short and making it such that it can read stand alone did seem impossible. But as you say, just got to hit publish!
    Sania @ Fragile Words

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  13. Waita overcome that inner critic!

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  14. It's always rough having those what if moments, but it's exhilarating when we overcome them and the results are amazing. Makes it worth the uncertainty.

    ~Patricia Lynne~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, YA Author

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  15. Excellent word! And great use of Doctor Who!

    --
    Timothy S. Brannan
    The Other Side, April Blog Challenge: The A to Z of Witches

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