an odd number of days to get on track in an even year.
I didn’t write a recap of My December to Remember Year 3. Sorry about that. I just couldn’t get there for that year. But I’m going to make an effort to do better this year. Because it’s an even year. Just an odd month.
In case you weren’t aware or it just slipped your mind, 2024 is a leap year. Meaning February has an extra day. It happens every four years, though I can’t for the life of me remember anything that happened on February 29th, 2020. And after checking my chicken-scratch notes from that year, it turns out I didn’t even write anything down that day. So I guess it didn’t even happen, did it?
This year is different.
Everything is happening at such a frightening pace that it’s hard to believe all that’s happened in less than thirty days. And just where have I been during this whole whirlwind? Well, here. I’m always here. It’s just that not everything that’s gone on has been worthy of publishing. Still, I knew February would be here before I knew it, and I knew I wanted to write again. But last year’s challenge felt so short-sighted and weird and not in tune with the name I gave it. So this year I’d really like to focus on something I hope to carry me through the rest of the time I have on this earth.
My promise to myself to finish my first draft went unfulfilled. I’m not mad about it, but it would be good for my spirit to actually finish something I start. So, come February, in addition to my usual storytelling and relatability posts (and the millionth attempt at weight loss), I will be writing four short stories in the month. I’m aiming for one a week. I will be updating you on my progress with the goal of completion by each Wednesday of the week. If I feel they’ve been property copyedited, then I will publish them here on the same day. This seems the best way as any to jumpstart me into my actual ambitions and finally make some headway on my long-term goals.
I’ve got several books filled with short story prompts should I need help, but there’s thousands within me just dying to get out. The goal is not to procrastinate and just blurt something out in a day. I want to be able to take my time and really focus in on the art of the beginning, middle, and end. If I can get something under my belt, I can work on creating a plot for a more longform project. In the meantime, this seems as good an idea as any. Plus, I’m heading back up to Vermont next month for a quiet, five-day vacation where I can really get some work done and collect my stories. I was able to do just that the last time I visited the Green Mountain State, and I was only there for less than 48 hours. Imagine what else I can accomplish when I’m completely tuned out to the rest of the never-ending news noise out there.
And that’s basically it. I have no plans other than to get into the story mindset. I’ve always loved stories. I’ve never been that good at writing them. But maybe if I focus in, for twenty-nine short days, I’ll come out the other end at least a semi-decent storyteller this time.
See you on Thursday.
“I didn’t write anything on Leap Day. So what. It was a sad one anyway. I mean, I saw nice things and was with people I love, but that’s all. I’m conditioned to be happy for people and not let them see what I’m really feeling.”
Me, March 1st, 2020.