I've been making a lot of new friends here on xanga. So, I thought I'd like to re-type up what I'm doing here.
This blog has a very specific purpose. Encouragement. On the first level it is meant to encourage me. What I type here is typically a simple; I type every time I start some new creative writing, every time I complete a story, and every time I send something off for publication. By chronicling my writing in the public sphere I am encouraging myself to stay on top of my work as a writer. I've found that if I haven't written for a few days, this fact is reflected in my blog. And being a writer who doesn't write is. . .well, it is an embarrassment. So, I write and I blog when I write. Blogging about what I did as a writer motivates me to keep writing and then write some more.
On a second level I hope that my own productivity will inspire other writers (or artists of any kind) to make their art. This is why I also blog whenever I am able to spend time with other artists (and then I also put links up to their own websites and artwork). I find there is nothing more disappointing then when a talented artist decides that facebook or blogging or television (or even a social life) are more pressing than their art. Yes, I think these things may be more immediate, but I believe the art will last longer and in the end is more important to one's identity than updating the list of bands you like on your facebook. Relaxing/Social-life/Work/Etc... is a balance, but as an artist, my personal feeling is that, although difficult, the scales should be tipped on the side of creative-production.
That said, I also use my xanga as a source of connecting with a wider community of writers, readers, and artists. I've had many wonderful xangans critique my short stories and I thank them for that. I've also had wonderful comments, questions, and discussions in this interactive blog. If you read regularly you'll notice that while my posts usually just tell you what I've done in writing since I last made a post, comments I make on others' and my own blog are not strictly regimented to the theme of my blog. Although, writing is my favorite subject to comment on.
So, if you ever wonder why all I ever type about on my blog is writing, it isn't because I'm single minded or an egotistical writer trying to show off my word-count; I'm just encouraging myself (and I hope others) to take the time to be an active, productive artist.
Besides, just look at the name: darkgreenwriter It's what I do.
Write on.
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