Hey folks,
Sorry for the long time in between posts. Granted, I should be sorry for myself--not updating regularly is one of the main causes of lack of page views. Honestly, I feel like this guy. But I've been pretty busy lately with hell week (the last week of classes in which most final projects and such are due--btw, I looked up "hell week" on Google Images and just got pictures of military guys. I guess I should stop calling this hell week), Thanksgiving break, and a huge dose of writer's block. Yes, I've been busy with writer's block.
So instead of just succumbing to this mental blockage of the brain, I've decided to write about it. But that got boring. So instead I'm going to talk about writing for a bit.
Honestly, starting this blog has been one of the better decisions I've made in awhile. Not only have I gotten my words and thoughts out there to my small little circle of friends and family, but I've also been able to reconnect and start conversations with people that I would never think would contact me in the middle of a random school week. The opportunity to share what Jesus does and the beauty and importance of writing is amazing.
So really instead of talking about myself I want to implore all of you to write. I'm not saying to start a blog (actually, I'm asking y'all not to--because then I'll feel obligated to read all of them and frankly I just don't have the time), but rather to devote some time each week to writing. It's important for every human not only to improve on their writing ability but also get their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on paper to better process through them all. Saying what I believe on paper has really allowed me to articulate what I want to say and think in real life. Which is helpful since I think internet life is cooler.
Don't think this is possible? Too hard? Too boring? Here are some easy tips to start writing:
1. Find your medium. Blog, word document, post-it note, back of your electric bill, whatever. Find out which medium helps you best express yourself and keep you focused on putting words on the paper.
2. Write what you enjoy. I blog, write screenplays, write novels, tweet, and post on sports forums. Yes, I'm a loser. But it doesn't matter what you write for, whether it be fiction, sports, news, your life, etc., as long as you write. And trust me--if you don't write in the genre that you enjoy, you won't keep it up.
3. Find an audience. This works best if the audience is yourself.
4. Write 500 words every day. I'm not sure if this works or not. My friend Lex told me to do it. He's a hipster.
5. Tell people about it. Or don't. Whatever you feel more comfortable.
6. Find a happy place. I write this blog during work, because it dials the stress level down a bit. I write fiction in my room or somewhere outside on the University of Miami campus. Write in a place that promotes happy vibes.
7. I don't actually have a seventh suggestion. I just wanted to end on a lucky number.
So yeah--get out there and get your head on white-and-black. And send it to me (you'll have to mail me your post-it notes, unless you're good and scanning things)--I really want to know what y'all have to say (even--especially--if it's fiction).
Much love,
Ty
P.S. shout out to my good friend Tyler Neely, who took my advice before I gave it and started a blog. It's pretty cool. Go check it out.
