Flexing my Writing Muscles

The only unofficial New Year’s goal I have made this year is to strengthen my writing. I haven’t even said that out loud until now.

In my head, however, I vowed to write more, to write each day, no matter what. That writing can be a post on Twitter, a repeat of a quote I admire, a conversation I had with my children, an idea for a future news article or just a random, silly thought that jumps into my head. But I must write words on paper or type them onto a screen every single day.

Repeat after me, I say to myself: I must flex my writing muscles each day. Take a deep breath. I stretch out my arms and grab my pen. Repeat again.

I compare my writing to my routine of morning fitness. I wake up early to exercise at least five times per week but I rarely do the same workouts in a row. I may start with a treadmill run; then I’ll perform PiYo (a faster moving form of Pilates and Yoga fused together). I rotate in a kickboxing set. I select a more intense Beachbody workout like 21-day fix or Insanity. I take a walk around my place of employment once a week as well. The muscles are continually being worked in diverse ways.

I have a hard time picturing myself doing the same type of writing. Wouldn’t that become boring after awhile? Could I only write fictional short stories or blog posts or memoirs? No, I do not believe that I could.

Why should I? I can create all types of journalism and communication. I compose poetry at the drop of my toddler’s dirty spoon. I interview local business owners to tell their entrepreneurial story and highlight their success. I write biographies and non-fiction accounts from military veterans who have battled the unthinkable. I offer marital and parenting advice in a funny, captivating manner. I devise a recipe using simple foods while intertwining hilarious stories, witty food poems and mishap photos too (In fact I self-published a cookbook in 2010 with this exact concept). I write press releases. I design promotional flyers for events and people. I review books, films and restaurants in a non-biased, interesting way. Although not my favorite, I sometimes write technical, how-to manuals that explain processes and procedures. I do not wish to sound boastful but I can write in these varying facets. I have experience doing all of the above, often within the same day.

In the past it bothered me that I did not have a specific theme or category to my composition. I saw my talented colleagues excel in making photography books or telling children’s stories. I thought I would never travel on their successful train because there was no pattern to my writing. I could never quite pinpoint where my drafting skills were best spent.

Now I feel differently. I do not wish to limit myself to any form, word count or genre. Instead I just write. My skill set is writing, period. I see the world and try to make connections between people, places and objects using words. I tell stories in various ways. I listen and share what I learn. That’s who I am. That is who I will continue to be.

I am the woman who will try a new, trendy workout at the gym but also keep her old, outdated VCR tape close by. I am that writer who seeks out fresh ways to share a classic concept; yet I realize that story can be told in the form of a tweet, poem, magazine article, short story or novel.

Others only triumph by doing the same craft repeatedly. I respect that. Yet for me, oddly enough, my overall portfolio stays enhanced if I keep my writing options open. The switch from outlining poetry to featuring a business success story suits me. As I flex my writing muscles in distinct ways, I continue to grow and perform at peak levels.

(Note: That is my real arm pictured above along with
my first draft of this post.  I often write down a few ideas
on paper before I transfer them to a computer screen).