Reasons I'm struggling to write

at least in the ways I have before + a July break

1. I started writing a story on my phone. I haven’t written a story in years, probably decades.¹ 

2. I’m writing morning pages as an experiment. Jemar Tisby talked about them and I was influenced.²

3. On Wednesday, I took a nap. 

4. On Friday, I drew a picture of a photo I had taken. 

5. One night, Justin and I made parmesan polenta and shrimp and had a date night after we put the boys in bed.

6. Roughly every other week I am leaving the house very early on my day off to meet a woman for coffee.

7. I’m reading a collection of short stories by Ursula K. Le Guin. And a book of her essays.³

8. I have to water the berry patch and the new bushes that I planted in front of the house. 

9. I’m constantly with my children or at work. During quiet time, I often feel a need to stare at the ceiling. 

10. Now that seminary is finished, I’m trying to take the time to stare at the ceiling. Or go to bed early. Or watch a movie.⁴

Since I have finished seminary, I intend to give myself a break.⁵ I’m going to take July off from new writing and let my mind wander.⁶ I will schedule some older essays to be reposted and I will see you in August!

What are you doing with your summer days?

1. My new summer goal is to write a bad short story. This is a far better expectation than “I will write the most amazing first short story anyone has ever written!”

2. Yes, this post is behind a paywall. I linked it because you should subscribe to his Substack.

3. I kicked off the year reading all of her writing about Earthsea and it has sparked something. 

4. Dan in Real Life is adorable.

5. Of course, there will still be my family. And my job.

6. Also, wonder.