2025 WRITING GOALS

Bits of Today’s Morning Pages

It’s the 8th of January. I have written nothing this year. So, what’s the plan?

I opened my memoir and edited the first few chapters. I discovered two grammatical errors. Maybe I’ll rewrite it this year. Or will I? Maybe I’ll just copyedit and publish. A couple of days later I reconsidered. Why publish? My writing group thinks I should. Not just my critique group, but others as well. Fear of failure perhaps? Maybe fear of people judging me or my family for the way we lived. Embarrassment maybe.

Why not have a little fun with writing instead? I enjoy little challenges, having completed at least two last year. October and December 50 word stories and then archiving them on Herman and Myrtle website. Mostly I try to be funny, but many times I’m just sarcastic. But I enjoy the challenge.

So what does this mean for 2025 goals? Do what others suggest or do what I enjoy?

Some ideas: Keep my blogs up to date by doing one or more challenges each week. Why weekly? Is that too much to expect? After all, it’s been eight days and I haven’t made a blog entry yet. What’s my excuse? Time? I only have so many hours in a day. I work. I keep chickens and cats happy. Once in a while I cook, grocery shop or clean house, do some laundry or yard work (not so much in winter).

I must confess. Addiction comes into play here. I play online games. There. I have admitted it and now I am taking a step one approach and admitting gaming has become an obsession and I have no control over it. It started with playing a little solitaire while watching TV. Then I found out I could make money. In less than a week I earned a whopping $5.89. That’s more than I earn writing. It becomes a habit and next thing you know, you get nothing else done. Delete the games. Turn off the TV. Write. Sounds simple enough, but then that huge component of addiction-the need to continue what we think is giving us pleasure only to discover it has replaced something we value and enjoy. There’s no way to set limits except to stop. Cold turkey-Delete the games. Turn off the TV. Write.

Let’s go back to goals, since that’s what I’m supposed to accomplish.
Post something to one of my blogs every week or Post something on each blog once a week. What’s so hard about either of these choices?

LATER ON, THE SAME DAY: THE GOALS

HERMAN AND MYRTLE (An inconsistent archive of things I post to Instagram and/or Facebook, usually the result of following some challenge or prompt I find while surfing the internet. Sometimes a rant, often triggered by mishaps or remarkable happenings between this author and her poor hubby.) Fifty words a day, 6 word stories, 100 word stories, pictures, cartoons, drawings. Why? Because Herman is 80, Myrtle is 75, and life is too short not to see the humor (or sarcasm) in these golden years.

GOAL: At least two posts per month

WITTBITS (Just check the tags in the right-hand column. It’s a conglomeration of observations that make their way to my keyboard with an occasional spark of wisdom.)

GOAL: At least one post per month

CHALLENGES: Support other authors and bloggers by participating in their challenges, writing to their prompt, posting the resource, and reciprocating.

GOAL: At least one per month.

That’s it. What are your writing goals?

Myrtle Asks AI to Write Her Obituary

Myrtle is feeling old and doesn’t trust Herman to write her obituary. So she turned to AI. Now she wonders, is AI following her Instagram?

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Myrtle, a passionate and adventurous individual who touched the lives of all who knew her. Myrtle was an unpublished writer with a love for words and a talent for storytelling. She poured her heart and soul into every piece she wrote, and her words will continue to inspire and move readers for years to come.
In addition to her love for writing, Myrtle was also an avid outdoors enthusiast. She spent many years climbing mountains and exploring the world, always seeking out new adventures and challenges.
Despite her many accomplishments and passions, Myrtle will be remembered most for her kind and generous spirit. She was always there for her loved ones, offering support and encouragement whenever it was needed.
Myrtle leaves behind a hungry husband, a lonely grandson, and two ferocious cats who will miss her dearly. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

1 Word Prompt Challenge January 2020

Sometimes we need a little challenge to get back into the swing of writing. In December I placed a post-it note on my screen “Butt in Chair – Write.” That didn’t work. January would have been a good time for a writing resolution but I snubbed that idea right out of my radar. Instead, I figured one little 31 day challenge might just do the trick. Only 50 words a day based on a one word prompt. After 31 days we were supposed to have finished one story, chapter by chapter. Being the rebel that I am, I concluded it would be perfectly fine to just post a daily post featuring “Herman” and “Myrtle.” Here you have it, exactly 1,550 words. Ending in a cliff hanger, of course. Gotta have something to keep me going.

Follow me @mzbull on Instagram. And if you want to join the fun, sign up for the February challenge #1wordpromptchallenge

Warning: Sometimes it takes longer to write exactly 50 words than it does an entire story.

#25daysofchristmaswritingchallenge

In case you missed this on Instagram, here’s the collection of my 50 words serial story for the 25 days of Christmas writing challenge. It’s been fun, a bit dark at times, and maybe a little outrageous. That’s the way life is for Herman and Myrtle. Perhaps they resemble someone you might know. Who knows what the next challenge might be? Keep in touch @mzbull on Instagram.

#inktober Sling Tread Treasure