Goals

Recently, The Boyfriend and I each made a list of 5 goals that we wanted to accomplish in the next 3 years. None of the goals we came up with were outlandish and all of them were fairly practical and attainable. I wrote the goals down as we were naming them and sent them in an email to The Boyfriend for posterity's sake. Always up for making a competition out of anything, The Boyfriend suggested that the loser perform certain. . .favors. . .for the winner until the winner determines the finish. I accepted his challenge and decided that unless I wanted to, as coffeypot would say, learn to suck a golf ball through a 20-foot garden hose, I'd better get cracking.

One of my goals is to take 3 six-week writing courses over the next year. I've never taken any sort of writing classes whatsoever and was a bit nervous about the whole thing but felt that it was time to get serious about improving my craft. Published authors say all the time that the way to become a better writer is simply by writing. But I'm finding that I need a bit more than that. I need some guidance to ensure that my skills are progressing in the right direction. I also need the encouragement and critique from other aspiring writers. A writing class promised to provide just the type of challenge I needed.

I signed up for an Internet course -- Beginning Writer's Workshop. An Internet writing class seemed like the perfect setting for a timid soul like myself. The anonymity makes it easier to submit your work for review by your classmates. Besides, standing up and reading while 40 eyeballs burn holes in your flesh is very nerve wracking.

One of our first writing assignments was designed to hone our descriptive writing skills. The teacher asked us to light a candle and then write one paragraph describing the candle. We were encouraged to let ideas emerge from the description and to allow emotion to come into play.

Below is the assignment I submitted. You may notify the Pulitzer committee if you wish.

The Candle on my Desk

The candle burning on my desk was a housewarming gift I received almost 2 years ago. Tonight is it's inaugural lighting. Even though the candle is barely the size of a shot glass, it casts a mighty shadow. The image projected on the wall of my office makes my computer monitor look as if a giant owns it. The flame on the candle is strong and bright without being overpowering. It's warm, yellow glow is the perfect amount of light for a cozy dinner. I blow out the candle quickly to save it for a more romantic occasion.

Okay, so I won't hire an agent just yet. But what I'm learning to do that the words may not reveal is to trust myself and the creative voice inside me. I'm also learning to tune out my inner critic so that ideas flow freely without judgment. I'm learning to harness the power of my critical voice so that it may be used to build up a piece and make it better instead of tearing it down. In essence, I'm learning to take the very first steps toward becoming a better writer.