We Have Daily Blogging At Home

I recently saw a post about the next iteration of the Inkhaven Residency, a month-long writing bootcamp. 

The crux of the residency is that participants write and publish a blogpost every single day, for a whole month. I had heard about it previously, but the details hadn't stuck in my mind—only the impression that it sounded like a cool and effective bootcamp. 

So imagine my delight when I came across it this time, to find that the major focus is what I fell into doing all on my own—daily blogging! It felt like an affirmation that wherever it is I'm going, I'm heading in the right direction. 

The marketing page for the event includes an inspiring quote, which added to my convictions: "Whenever I see a new person who blogs every day, it's very rare that that never goes anywhere or they don't get good. That's like my best leading indicator for who's going to be a good blogger."—Scott Alexander,
Dwarkesh Patel Podcast.

I used to feel an aversion to writing workshops and the like. I don't think I was ever able to articulate why —hmm, ironic?—but it's something akin to not wanting to learn music theory for fear that it would hinder my ability to write songs from my own heart and mind, rather than learning the supposed rules and accepted methods for doing so. 

Feeling that way always felt a bit silly, but then again, feelings often don't hold strict to logic and reason. It was the way I felt, and that was that. 

Now that I've started in on the process of actually writing, and wanting to actively work toward improving, I no longer feel that way. Even just a month in, I see my shortcomings so clearly. I see the draw of attending workshops to address issues that others have made it through already, that will take me potentially hundreds of tries to conquer, if not even more. 

For now, I'm happy to keep working through them on my own. I'm not yet stuck and floundering—seeing my shortcomings might prove enough to address them yet. I don't have any trouble making it to the "publish" finish line—this workshop seems much more helpful for those who do. 

Though daily blogging with help from admirable mentors does sound cool, I've got daily blogging at home.