Day 19.

A chat…

So, how’s the blogging marathon going Michelle?

Good! I mean good..and hard, and challenging and at times rather tiring.

How does it compare to the actual (half) marathon you just ran?

There are a lot of similarities. The people I am writing alongside – some in it for the fun, others more serious, the unexpected friend popping up to cheer me on, the need for energizing myself along the way. Training too, life itself is my training for writing – reading, experiences, challenges, it all prepares me for the stories I write.

Did you plan the posts in advance?

No, mostly because I decided to join the marathon on the day it began, so I write as the days unfold. I see it like Old Testament manna, enough thoughts and quotes and threads for one-day, then wait see what tomorrow brings.

It’s Day 19. How do you feel today?

Today I feel tiny and a tad fragile, like I want to hide for a while. You know those days, when confidence is hard to find? My INFJ character is reacting to me putting my words out there for 18 days straight, a little too exposed. My pinball machine mind out of control. I’m going to stare out of the window for the day.

Why are you doing this anyway?

A number of reasons. I like a challenge. I am in the midst of a Creative Writing degree and the discipline of writing – consistent and daily is a practice I need to apply and until now I haven’t. Obviously, the idea of writing daily is for practice, editing, improvement. What I didn’t take into account with NaBloPoMo was the challenge of pressing ‘publish’ everyday whether I’m entirely happy with the writing or not – but those who read it are very gracious 😉

Why writing?

Communication and connectedness are my strengths. I love to be able to connect and weave and paint a picture with words. I am startled by beauty and the experience of finding grace everyday. I am predisposed to see the world sacramentally and I love to share these glimpses. I am a hope giver and for me writing is the best avenue for this. My ultimate passion is to tell other peoples stories of hope, of finding hope in tough places.

I am reminded today that to write well I must fully embrace living. Live first, create second. Art is born from life. Joseph Campbell put it like this: I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.

Why blogging and not a book?

I started a blog to help my family and friends stay in touch with the Collins in Kelowna. It has evolved over 3 years to more of a devotional and encouragement for people, while still including adventures and observations of our life here and there.

There are four million mommy bloggers alone in North America so I try not take my blog too seriously! I do what I do and enjoy it. There’s the key word in this. ENJOY!

And my book… it’s there pinging around that pinball machine. One day…one day…

Any nugget to leave your lovely readers who have chosen to click onto your blog today?

Yes! Thank you and…

‘Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.’Frederick Buechneur

So that’s me for today, hiding away and that’s okay.

See you tomorrow,

Love, Michelle xoxo