I answer the call with trepidation as I look out over the month to come as I accept Kate Motaung’s 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Challenge for 2019. Writing challenges and I have not melded in the past. I start with intentions to persist and finish only to peter out toward the end. How can I succeed this year after many unsuccessful attempts?
I take the advice of Crane-man from the book, A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park. In the book, Crane-man encourages the young protagonist, Tree-ear, as he embarks on an impossible journey that will take many long days over rough terrain.
“I am going to Songdo … It seems so far away,” Tree-ear tells his mentor.
Crane-man responds, “Your mind knows that you are going to Songdo. But you must not tell your body. It must think one hill, one valley, one day at a time. In that way, your spirit will not grow weary before you have even begun to walk. One day, one village. That is how you will go, my friend.”
Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed too thinking about accepting the challenge. Writing can daunt and tire. It takes a commitment to a journey of writing one word at a time, one post at a time. I adhere to this philosophy as I begin my month-long challenge. I hope you will join me as I make writing every day a journey of faith and discovery.
Table of Contents
Click each title to visit the post, but note each post will go live at 9 a.m. each morning.
Day 1: Why
Day 2: Gift
Day 3: Problem
Day 4: Listen
Day 5: Other
Day 6: Notice
Day 7: Same
Day 8: Gather
Day 9: Join
Day 10: Scared
Day 11: Deep
Day 12: First
Day 13: Reach
Day 14: Voice
Day 15: Open
Day 16: Avoid
Day 17: Consistent
Day 18: Active
Day 19: Strong
Day 20: Tell
Day 21: Person
Day 22: Sense
Day 23: Need
Day 24: Different
Day 25: Wait
Day 26: Accept
Day 27: Better
Day 28: Test
Day 29: Practice
Day 30: Memory
Day 31: Enjoy
