Whether I write or not, I will pay a price.

Monday: Dialogue, Lines, or Quotes

Browsing through past blog posts, I came across this one published May 28, 2012 and it struck a chord. I am re-posting because it's a message I need right now.

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"I have no shrewd advice to offer developing writers about this business of snatching time and space to work. I do not have anything profound to offer mother-writers or worker-writers except to say that it will cost you something. Anything of value is going to cost you something."  (Toni Cade Bambara)

Anything of value is going to cost you something. As I've contemplated that phrase I've come to realize that everything comes with a price whether it's of value or not. I can choose to pay the price for writing time (neglected chores, lack of social time, loss of sleep) or I can choose to pay the price for not making time to write (frustration, resentment, loss of dreams).

Whether I write or not, I will pay a price.

What price are you willing to pay to follow your dream? What price will you pay if you don't?

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Comic Relief: Raccoon Toons Quarantine

Friday: Comic Relief

These videos -- created by a friend -- gave me a much needed laugh. Thanks for sharing your talent, Matt!

Raccoon Toons: Quarantine Part 1

Raccoon Toons: Quarantine Part 2

For more of Matt's comics and videos, visit his website: Raccoon Toons.

Reflecting on the 2020 A to Z Challenge

This was my 6th consecutive year of completing the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge and it was my toughest. (For a list and links to all my A to Z posts over the years, click here.)

I almost didn't participate this year because I wasn't ready. My theme was planned and topics for each letter outlined, but no posts written. From past experiences, I knew that the challenge is not as enjoyable without time to visit other blogs. In fact, at the end of last year's challenge, I set some goals for 2020...

• Have my posts ready before April
• Link up on other social media 
• Visit more blogs 
• Leave comments on more blogs

How'd I measure up?

• Not even one ready
• I thought about it... once
• Sadly, no
• Didn't do that either

Early in the year I tried to prepare posts, but only managed to write what I later deemed as garbage and deleted.

I lost count of how many drafts I dumped.

Two days before the challenge started, someone talked me into jumping in, ready or not. So I did.

Six days into the challenge a health issue arose (mentioned in my O post) which lasted over 18 days. Writing kept me anchored and gave me something else to focus on besides pain, so I kept plugging away at the alphabet.

When I planned my theme (Humor in film--what makes me laugh) I had no idea how badly I would need laughter in April. It truly was the best medicine.

The challenge turned out to be a sanity-saver.

I intend to join in again next year.

And I have another movie-based theme planned...