Category: Journey of Chaos

(A-Z) Personal Progress + Continued journeys

It’s That Time of Year Again

NaNoWriMo has arrived.

They’ve reset everything for another year and Kick Off Parties begin tonight!

(Throw confetti, everyone!)

Below, you will find my commitment to my project, Silhouettes of Red. I will also post what my experience is with NaNoWriMo and writing this novel, throughout the month. If you’re willing to give it a go, visit: http://www.nanowrimo.org and sign up today! There’s still time. (:

Without further ado… My commitment.

~*~

Let this signify a testament and commitment. Everything written below is as if I wrote the words with my own two hands on pen and paper. This commitment will not be broken unless I pass or am severely injured to where I cannot write. (;

I, Shanna Rightsell, will write Silhouettes of Red for November while I participate in NaNoWriMo (also known as National Novel Writing Month). I will unravel the story of a serial killer, Edgar Bates, who has an odd obsession with blood. He has a strong desire for his story to be told, so I promise to write out all of his thoughts on paper, good or bad and will write his first draft to the best of my ability. I will attempt to make Silhouettes of Red a victory novel, meaning that I promise to push myself toward completing the first draft, in November. When I finish my first draft of Silhouettes of Red, I will celebrate with a blog post. (:

Throughout the month, I promise to write as much as I physically/mentally can throughout each week as I aim to reach my goal. I promise to focus the majority of my time, effort and energy to the project listed within and will attempt to lay aside distractions. My commitment shall include the restriction of television/movie watching, video-gaming, and general laziness until my word count has been reached for the day.

I vow to stick with my commitment until my project mentioned within is complete. This means that if I am unable to complete my novel through the NaNoWriMo program, I will continue to write until the book is finished. Within the NaNoWriMo program, I will track my words and progress to share with the world. Also, I promise to attempt to post a weekly blog with updates and a bonus excerpt for my fabulous readers. To which, if I fail to stick with my commitment or post a weekly blog with updates, I subject myself to public mockery from friends, loved ones and readers. If I’ve failed to write Silhouettes of Red (in part or in whole), then I will be subject to questions by readers, loved ones, and friends, that I must answer truthfully as punishment for not completing my project.

At this moment, I proclaim another novel to the world.

~*~

Goodbye, sanity.
Hello, Silhouettes of Red.

Let the writing begin. <3

Journey of Chaos: Encouragement and Positivity

Everyone needs encouragement.
Whether we want to admit it or not.

We crave it.

I am most guilty of all.
I look to other people and their affirmations to encourage myself. Now, this isn’t always bad… But it can be! Here’s why.

1.) I think that I’m doing a horrible job until someone tells me otherwise.
2.) I won’t ask for someone to tell me I’m doing a good job or set them up, but when they don’t, it makes me sad.
3.) I watch as others compliment another person’s hard work, and notice that they ignore mine.

And the moral of the story?

I get jealous.
When I see others getting “encouraging words” or recognition of sorts (like a raise, or a thank you note), I instantly get jealous. It’s almost like, “Hey now… I do that stuff too… Why didn’t anyone notice me for doing that?” Let me just say, that’s not the frame of mind that I want to have. Let’s continue, shall we?

I get discouraged.
I watch as others get congratulated or rewarded then automatically think that I’m doing something wrong. I’m not doing anything wrong! I am doing everything humanly possible when I give my 100%, I just have to remember that.

I feel defeated/down.
My mood changes based on the encouragement levels that I receive. Ultimately, I shouldn’t let my mood change or fluctuate based on others. That’s a downward spiral waiting to combust. I want a healthier, steadier life. (:

I know that it’s not healthy.
I can’t rely on others to make me feel worth it, or good enough. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with those scenarios. Most of which leaves me in a depressed state. No one -wants- to be sad. Or, at least, I hope not…

So I start with me.

I allow myself time for just me. Time to get ready, time to eat, time to write, time to sleep, the list goes on and on. This isn’t verbal, but it helps me to realize that the time that I dedicate to myself is worth it. It’s valuable, for me and -only I- can commit that time to me.

I read encouraging things. Often times, we’re bombarded with negative news, stories, and events from others, including stress. If I give myself something to read that I know will be beneficial, then it’s going to give me something positive to think about.

I think of the things that I’m grateful for. Listing my thankful items, even if it’s only three, puts me in a better mindset and helps me stay positive throughout the day because it takes the focus off of me.

I encourage others. Again, adjusting my focus to something other than myself helps me stay positive. It’s not that others don’t see what I’m doing. Instead, it’s everyone is so busy that we don’t take time to tell others how they’re doing and how they help you.

Selfishly?
I want to hear all of the good that I do and what I do right.
We all do.
But, life isn’t like that.

All I can hope to do is try to encourage another person so that they don’t have to feel that way. We’re a team on this earth. It’s time we started acting like it. (;

So I challenge each of you, my dear readers. Make it a point to tell people positive, encouraging and truthful things. [Don’t feed blanket statements or lies.] Fill your environment with positivity and encouraging truths. You might be surprised by the change it makes in your life as well as theirs.

Remember: You are important! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If the environment you are in today is not the one you want, transform it. You are powerful and can do whatever you choose.

How do you stay encouraged? How do you stay positive? What do you say/do daily to make your environment better? Feel free to share your encouraging thoughts and activities in the comment section.

Until Next Time,
Shay <3