
image from http://www.lancaster.ac.uk
Come sit with me, my table is crowded with books and papers and of course there’s my caramel macchiato, but I will push them all aside for your coffee cup and you. We are now in what I like to call the “ber” months; it is fast approaching the end of and also beginning of a new year. It is this time of year I want to preserve in a capsule.
Time passes and it is the one commodity we relentlessly pursue, wanting more, using time saving devices and tactics to squeeze more seconds and minutes. But what do we do with all the time we have accumulated and saved?
I think I am a fine “time waster”! I waste my time doing things I love. I read within the moments and write between pauses and spaces. I like conversation, about books and ideas.
I am also a day dreamer, I could be in conversation with you and then something gets my attention, a feather floating down, a flower catching a sunbeam or dust motes twirling and I am gone, off on a spiral of thoughts, no longer in the present, another dimension opens. I need pen and paper for inspiration has struck.
And I write, I have forgotten you are here, sorry if that’s rude but that spiral of thought floating on the dust motes won’t wait you see. But once I capture the thought I am back to reality and you have all of me.
Not all days have thoughts that spiral and twirl, life isn’t always inspiring and smooth. Last week I struggled with a lot of intrusive thoughts, things from the past that “came a –haunting”, things in the present that “nurtured a fear” and I had to look deep inside to find the “me” who could overcome all this. I was afraid of losing my writing voice again.
Because life is more than the shoes your feet are in.
– Britt-Marie Was Here – Fredrik Backman
It was then that I realised I needed a mission statement in life, something I can go back to when I feel I have lost my purpose and need guidance.
Most large corporations have such a statement indicating the service they provide, what they stand for and what they aspire to be in a community. We are writers, almost like an organisation ourselves; we too should indicate what we stand for.
So our writing challenge this month is to write “a writer’s mission statement”. Write one now, if you haven’t yet, write what being a writer means to you, your short and long term goals, your vision and most importantly the values you want your writing to bring to your readers. By listing this down as a mission statement you will see that it defines your purpose.
Stephen, our café founder suggested it could be posted on your own “About” page and linked back here. I think that is a superb idea, it could be something new or even an addition to your “About” page!
Be creative, write a poem or a short story, brevity is key; you want to inspire. You can write a simple haiku or an elaborate sonnet. Or just free verse your statement to the world. Your mission statement could even be flash fiction!
Grab your pen, your keyboard, your pad and write what it is that you are passionate about. What being a writer means to you and how you see your writing affecting the world. Make your statement!
This writing prompt does need some reflection and thought. Take some time, think it over. Write then share it here.
Everyone is welcome.
This is where writers gather.
The prompt will be open from today and run till comments are closed midnight Malaysian time on September 28th 2018.
Write your mission statement in 100 words or less – be creative!
It must clearly state……..
your goals, your values and your vision as a writer.
Poetry and or prose welcomed!
Link your post or page in the comments section.
Follow the GDG to see your post featured and read the other entries too.
If you can be heard then you exist – Britt-Marie Was Here – Fredrik Backman
Gina@Singledust
trust your heart if the seas catch fire – e.e. cummings
Another wonderful idea Gina, sounds very interesting, but I’m here arm-wrestling with my pc, in between blinks, and I this slow blink torture is gradually driving me more insane…….
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thank you Ivor. that computer has been quite the pain, like growing pains!! back to traditional paper and pen for while I guess!
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Yes it will be, and so I’m going to bed very early, feeling frustrated and disappointed. maybe a bit of blogging on my phone….
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It is frustrating to not be able to write, maybe that will inspire you to write about a blinking computer!
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I love to read other poems/poets, and maybe this incredible little piece will cheer me up, and I’m listening to music by Mozart tonight.
Sleep
September 16, 2018 / Ryan Stone
along quicksilver trails
thru the night
we tripped,
past the wall,
into the sky—
swallowed by infinity
By — Ryan Stone, of Days Of Stone.
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You guys never run out of brilliant ideas…gonna grab my pen now and write..
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Awesome!! We are here to please!! Seriously I am excited about this one and am looking forward to writing my own too. Pens away!
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Gina, got carried away by your words. Pinning down mission and penning it seems daunting. But will surely give it a try.
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I agree my immediate inner critic went “I can’t do this” ….Then I paused and thought this surely a challenge, but I am willing to try. 🙂
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Jenna, we are so alike! 😊
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I think it’s a scary task because it forces us to look inward. I find I am oftern reflective, but tend to be very private about it, so sharing more openly this very personal information has me wanting to resist the opportunity. However, I realize it’s an opportunity for positive growth and therefore I’m willing to give it a go. 😉
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You are right. It is downright scary. Let’s grapple with our fear then. 🙂
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encase them in amber and watch them glow!!
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Oh wow! That sounds so beautiful !
Then let’s encase them in words and set them free.
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Haha, love it! Challenge excepted! 😉
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👍☺️
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it can be both Jenna, and doesn’t have to reveal whatever you want to remain private, the skill of a writer is to inspire with our stories and experiences. I think you will figure it out. I am very happy to read that you are seeing it as a positive challenge to grow as a writer. Cheering you on!!
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Thank you Gina, I agree inspiring others is alway something I aim to do. 🙂
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haha i was laughing reading this I almost spilled my milk! you both are the coolest!
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Happy to provide laughs anytime! 😁
I hope it was cold milk. 😉
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yes and luckily I had cake too!
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Great.
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good on you Jenna, I think this is encouragement to all who stop and read this and attempt to write.
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🙂 We all need that interneral reminder that we should at least do our best in any situation. After all that’s all anyone can ask of us. 😉
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I like your spirit!
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I can’t say no to a writing challenge. 😂
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thank you for your enthusiasm and support, you set a fine example
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Well, I’ve already reached my goal for today knowing I made you laugh and brought a smile to your face! 😉
….Here it is after starting out with many thoughts on the subject and 499 words narrowed down to 99…
My purpose is to make the world a better place through spreading happiness and kindness in the world while encouraging and empowering others to love themselves. My goal is to bring light, laughter, and hope to others through my art, stories, and poetry. My vision is to empower others to see that it’s not just about the end destination, but in the journey, we take to get there, and the person we become along the way. I value finding little things that fill us with sunshine and gratitude, being mindful to slow down, breath, and be gentle with ourselves.
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That is beautifully written and truly exemplifies you. You bring so much of positivity and happiness Jenna. It is so wonderful to know you. ❤️
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Awww thank you Punam!😊 💖 💕
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You are so welcome dear. 😊
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🙂 ❤
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this is a beautiful example of putting your heart and thought into words. I look forward to seeing your link to your post so I can reblog it next week. Thank you Jenna for the energy you bring to this community.
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Thank you Gina, I will surely put it together in a post. 🙂 ❤
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great Jenna!
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Reblogged this on michnavs.
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thank you Mich! the more the merrier, it will be so great to read what others think, terimakasih!
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Poetry in motion is all about passion, openness, enthusiasm, truth, and reason. It nurtures, inspires and desires to empower women to use their voices and recognize their influence. It envision a vibrant and diverse blogsite which creates and influence culture and faith.
That’s so far what i got..lol..but it challenged me though as a writer huh…
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oh wow!…you were really into it! that is a truly empowering statement, it is universal yet so uniquely personal. it is a very good start. now I need to stop messing about and write something just as prolific! Ugghhh!!
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Thanks Gina…happy you like it…now i will have to put it my “about page”…☺☺☺☺thankssss for challenging me..
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i feel good about this prompt, and you and the light you bring. don’t forget to link it up!!
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https://wordpress.com/me
There you have it Gina…😉
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the link is coming back to my page??
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Hmmm lol..hehehe let me see..
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Any moment spent doing something you love is never wasted.
I am a perpetual worrier and so waste time worrying instead of doing the things I should do or the things I love. I am a daydreamer too though.
I will give the missions statement idea some thought. 🙂
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hence the ” “, its like a favourite waste of time, I sit and read and then its evening and the dog wants dinner and a walk and all around the day has descended without me knowing.
haha true to your star sign! worrier and daydreamer, there should be something grand coming out of that middle ground.
thank you for giving the prompt a thought, you are a good sport and have a mean creative streak, I am still thinking too!
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🙂
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I can’t wait to work on this prompt. I’ve been working on this at home and this helps!
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Thank you Bee! the universe speaks i feel, like it’s necessary now to write this. Be encouraged and write!
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Love this line ” I read within the moments and write between pauses and spaces!”… Keep doing what you are doing for it looks to be working.. 🙂
Much love..
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thank you so much for the encouragement!
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💖
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Here, is my mission statement Gina.
https://paeansunpluggedblog.wordpress.com/about/
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you did this so well, I like all the things your writing stands for, very inspirational and full of passion too!
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Thank you so much Gina. Your challenges are so inspiring. 🤗
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will be posting your link on the weekend! truly humbled by your words.
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It is now yours Gina. Most of my writing is introspective but you really make me look deep inside the chaos and make sense of it. So, thank you, dear friend.
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then you give me custody of something very precious, I am more than excited and proud to share it. looking inside and out and figuring what all this is all about works both ways, we encourage and also learn a lot about ourselves, I am very pleased you took up the challenge even though it seemed daunting at first.
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Daunting gets the adrenaline pumping. So true, it is external factors that push us to excel.
Thank you.
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Pingback: My Writer's Mission Statement • The Sunshine Artist
A good idea – and one that might take a while to format! And, like you, like many perhaps, distractions come out of everywhere and anywhere!
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I appreciate your comment here, yes we do get so distracted, either by the lure of a new project, boredom with the current one or just the lack of motivation to write. yes everywhere and anywhere indeed! take your time to think it over and write, it is a prompt to reflective on our journey as a writer.
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Alas, something like this has been on my to-do list for some time now. Maybe this is the push I need to get it done. Thanks.
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great! It was really just a casual idea at first but it slowly took hold. I think we need something that defines our writing and need to outline some goals, all too often we get too distracted by life. May you be inspired to write, you give me a lot of inspiration from your stories and quotes, well really for the fact that you show up and write. So well done on that!!
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A little self examination also helps us to hone in on what we are doing. Sometimes it feels as though I am throwing mud against the wall to see what sticks. The stuff that sticks is where we need to concentrate our efforts. I am happy my work inspires you. We writers have to stick together.
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Pingback: Writing in Prisms – Charmed Chaos
Gina, what a lovely challenge. I wrote this poem last year and in essence it captures why I write, and my goals as a writer. Spreading light into a sometimes dark, sad world has always been what has driven me, even when I write about that very sadness.
https://charmedchaos.com/2018/09/19/writing-in-prisms/
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I read this and it embodies what you are and so much more. thank you Linda. spreading light is exactly how I feel even when I read your really emotional poetry. in that sadness there is always hope and light. thank you again for submitting to the challenge.
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My pleasure Gina.
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Gina- thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy you appreciate my words.
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so very much Linda
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Pingback: Mission Statement – Writing Challenge September 2018 | Go Dog Go Café
Pingback: Who Am I? – syncwithdeep
Here is my take
https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/09/26/who-am-i/
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thank you Deepa, this was really great to read, so lovely to have you write the challenge
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Thank u Gina
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