#ROW80 Writing Challenge

January 5, 2015 — #ROW80, challenge, observant, poetry, writing

winter writing challenge

I just read in a fellow blogger’s post about the ROW80 challenge. I have just started a practice to improve my writing by creating poetry and art.  I had not planed to commit to a daily routine, but I am finding that starting the creative day by drawing, editing photos, and making visual art I am more likely to be observant for the day. Observant includes in this case a full attention to detail as I go through my life, and easy flawless observance of boundaries I have set.  Since the group is making personal goals a shared conversation, observant will also mean that I pay attention to my fellow writers and the way they express themselves.  This idea arrived at a most propitious time, since 80 days of tracking my goal of a more poetic life will give me a good jump start to a full time practice.  I look forward to learning how other people contribute to this exercise.

Observe and Grow are the key words for my goal.  I hope to grow my vocabulary, my skills, and my creativity by publishing art and poetry.  By observing the world, as well as my dreams, I will find richer, more vibrant subjects.  I tend to be a scribe, writing just the facts, and supporting the facts with some photo documentation.  I still enjoy that, but feel I could do some story telling, humor, and abstract sound pieces if I develop my poetic sense.  I want to see where poetry leads me.  I am not seeking approval for the work as much as I am wondering what will happen when I apply myself.

For the next 80 days I will observe what happens when I write a poem each day.  This is an adventure I will share. It will include:

• dream diary work to bring images into daily life
• reading poetry
• visiting the U of A Poetry Center
• developing photography and art to inspire my poetic sense

It is my desire to explore a different way of using the written word.  I think it will open new doors for my self expression.  I also believe my daily life will be enriched by looking for poetic subject matter.  I publish my art and poetry on my Tumblr blog, The Flow.

winter writing challenge