Self Improvement
Challenges help you fly
Start with a small challenge. That is just what I did recently.
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I was given a huge complement by a fellow writer and good friend the other day. She chose this quote:
Go to the edge of the cliff and jump off. Build your wings on the way down.
RAY BRADBURY
…and said, “This is so you May.”
I must admit I felt rather chuffed. Particularly as the person giving the compliment pushes herself in all she does.
It got me thinking. Perhaps being brave is my superpower and…
Will flying make a person more confident?
It is not always wise to go and jump in feet first without a plan, but often when a person takes a risk or accepts a challenge, they are stretched mentally and indeed they find they really do have wings. (Metaphorically speaking!) So what, if they have to learn to fly on the job…
Better to try and take up a challenge than to regret you hadn’t.
I think this certainly applied to me when I initially created Tantalizing Tales, and asked to be the main editor. Neither of us had hardly any Medium experience, but we did it together, and I do love a challenge.
We both dug in deep and have enjoyed the leap.
But, this post is not about that publication, it is about challenging yourself in regard to writing.
Challenging Yourself
Challenging the brain is an exercise as important as physically keeping fit. Especially as a person gets older.
The brain is “plastic” and can continue to grow, develop, and make connections from before we are born until well into old age. When you challenge your brain with new and effortful activity, you help to build your “cognitive reserve”.
Many don’t take a leap because they are scared they may fail. However, it is a good idea to try and put fear aside when deciding to meet a challenge. Don’t be afraid — what is the worst that can happen? You fail? Big deal. Remember, others won’t mind, they probably aren’t even watching anyhow. On the plus side, there is the reward of feeling good about yourself if you succeed.
Start with a small challenge. That is just what I did recently.
Fiction
My fiction writing journey has been relatively short. Until three years ago I hadn’t written any since school. And now it is one of my passions.
Initially, I wrote mainly erotica, but with strong characters and dialogue. But occasionally the odd very real life tale — I suppose a drama — would appear from me. When I joined Medium one thing I really wanted to do was to push myself to write in different genres and themes. I wanted that challenge, as I know…
to step out of your comfort zone is the surest way to learn and grow.
After coming across the thoroughly noteworthy Microcosm Publication and checking out their August prompts, I decided that whatever their four prompts were in September, I would commit to the whole month. I forgot that I was also very busy with real life work and online commitments, but I had set myself the challenge and eagerly waited for the first of the weekly themes, and was not disappointed at all…
Week One Task
Pick a New Genre: “the goal is to get you to try different styles, rules and conventions, by swopping your usual genre out for something new and possibly avoided.”
So I picked a genre I had never tried — Fantasy Fiction.
I was really happy with my final story, however, at first I was actually stumped. But fortunately came across an image on Pixabay and a story materialised around that photo.
Week Two Task
It’s Time to Niche Down: “pick a sub-genre.”
I chose Noir and again it took me a while to think of a story. So, knowing I am a very visual writer, I started with the header image. And the story followed.
Week Three Task
Time to get Oddly Specific: “Write a story using one of the micro-genres provided.”
I picked Small Town Story. Which I think probably suited my writing style in general, and I would definitely tackle this one again. And the story came before the image and is my favourite of the four.
Week Four Task
Tiny Boxes for Massive Stories: “Specific micro-genres, 200 to 300 words.”
This sounded fun. And I got straight on board with a 199 word story to the theme of, A Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy with a Mystery and Pirates.
I had a great September and felt I completed my missions to the best of my ability — and will definitely return for another month of the Microcosm prompt. I now realise that I can turn my hand to different genres of fiction and styles and will do just that more often. My brain enjoyed the extra work and I have to say my self-esteem benefited too from the confidence boost I received by completing what I had set myself at the beginning of the month. I would thoroughly recommend it. It certainly has helped me along my fiction learning curve.
So many thanks to and for helping me discover my writing in different genre wings ;-)
