Time for another posting with the Insecure Writers Support Group, where writers can share their insecurities and encourage one another. IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and we share our posts the first Wednesday of the month. The IWSG now poses a question for us to answer in our monthly posts. The question for our August 3rd posting is: What was your very first piece of writing as an aspiring writer? Where is it now? Collecting dust or has it been published?
Honestly, this question makes me a
little sad. When I was in sixth grade, we had a time period set aside each day
for Writer’s Workshop. It was the first time I had ever heard of and kept a
portfolio and the first time I ever considered pursuing writing. I wrote some
short stories, essays, and poems for the assignments I kept in my portfolio.
One of my poems was chosen to be printed in our sixth grade class poetry
booklet. About 8-10 years ago, my mom found my Writer’s Workshop portfolio in
storage and I held it in my hands and flipped through it nostalgically. But
then, I was only home for the weekend and had to go back to college and I
forgot about the portfolio. I don’t know what happened to it after that. If it
was returned to storage, my family’s garage had a rodent infestation, so it was
most likely ruined. I wish I would have put it in a safe place with some of my
other keepsakes as soon as I saw it that day. The moral of this story: Always
save your writing and back it up!
July was not a productive month for
me. It’s not exactly a time issue, I think it’s a lack of brain energy and
motivation at the end of the day. I think the summer heat is getting to me,
that and constantly having to help cover vacations and a coworker’s pregnancy
leave at work. I’m hoping things will settle down a little as schools start
back up and the weather cools down. Maybe then I will be able to focus more on
my writing again.
Hi - I'm one of this month's co-hosts and popped by to say hi. It's a shame you still don't have your portfolio - it would be a lot of fun to look back at it now. The summer heat has really been getting to me as well. It can really sap your energy. Hopefully, things settle down this month and you can focus more on your writing. Cheers - Ellen
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Ellen :) I do hope that I can get back into my writing soon!
DeleteI'm sorry those stories were lost.
ReplyDeleteThe heat definitely gets to me. I like winter so much better.
Me too, Alex!
DeleteThat is sad about your work in your portfolio. Definitely something you would have enjoyed looking at over the years. Heat can be zapping and I have to say there is a difference between dry heat and when it is hot with high humidity. Hang in there, fall is just around the corner!
ReplyDeletebetty
Thanks Betty, I'm trying to hang in there! And I do wish I still had those writings.
DeleteI'm sorry you lost it. :( That's a good lesson, though. I've lost some of my works because I wasn't as diligent about backing it up. Now I am.
ReplyDeleteI didn't keep any of my teen writing, and I wish I did at times. The stuff I do have, I really enjoy looking back on. It's been a fairly mild summer here, but I know I can't write when it's hot either.
ReplyDeleteHope that things cool down for you soon!
So sad about losing that poem. But I wonder if you've reconnected with any of your fellow school mates (on Facebook or wherever). Maybe they still have a copy of the booklet?
ReplyDelete