Praecedo–January 2012
The calendar has once again come full circle, and we find ourselves at the start of another new year. In reality, nothing has changed. Yesterday, the weeks before, all are just as recent as mere days past, though the phrase “last year” gives the veneer of a greater distance.
But calendars have begun anew, as have diaries and this sense of “newness” pervades us all. We who make resolutions to change, to better ourselves or to begin something afresh are not fools, despite how many of these schemes will fall by the wayside. They say it takes 21 days of continuous practice to create a habit. Without that initial stimulus, this sense of new beginnings, we may lack the will to begin grand schemes, let alone keep up with them for 21 days and beyond.
This sense of newness bears heavily on my mind today. Last year we relaunched a “new” Write Anything, and this year I find myself doing it again. Perhaps not “relaunching” as such, but certainly reshaping, pushing the site in a new direction.
I recently sent out a plan to the writers on the site, one which I’d like to share with you. Firstly, Write Anything will be posting two articles per day rather than just one. This is something that has been promised for some time, and at last is coming to fruition.
Secondly, we have an aim. This site is for writers, by writers. As such, we must live up to that name. I will admit to everyone now that last year I did next to no writing. I had my reasons, for sure; but I am a writer, and I did not write. That cannot carry on.
So this year I have insisted. Every writer who writes for Write Anything must be writing. Every writer must have a project, something they are working on. And these projects will be revealed to you, our readers. You will learn what we are working on, how we are progressing, and hold us all accountable as writers.
But it doesn’t stop with us. You, the reader, visit this site because you are a writer, or you want to be one. In which case I invite you to take part too. Come up with a writing project that you commit to working on over the next 12 months. Share the experience with us on the site. Let us support you on this journey, as you support your fellow writers.
Over the next 12 months Write Anything not only challenges you to commit to a project and stick with it, but also challenges you to discover more about yourself as a writer, so that by the end of December 2012 if someone asks you “what do you do?” you can look them in the eye and say without fear, doubt or ambiguity “I am a writer” and show them work which proves it.
Happy New Year everyone. 2012 has arrived, and it is the best year yet to be a writer because it has only just begin, so opportunities are still limitless. Pick up your pen, flex your fingers over that keyboard, and start writing.
Happy New Year! I am looking forward to the challenges and insight that the new year brings to us here at Write Anything and I’m looking forward to sharing that journey with everyone. Good luck!
And to you Rob! I’m very excited to see how well everyone rises to the challenges.
Happy New Year Paul (even though my new year is still waiting for the new moon later this month).
I’m both exhilarated and utterly terrified by what lies in the future this year. But grateful for the challenge to rise to. I’ve never been one to back out of a solid challenge. Thanks for spurring us all on to better and bigger things in 2012 and a chance to be authentic to our creative selves.