With some 500 essays and nearly 300 poems in this seven-year-old blog now, I suddenly find myself in a place that feels both alien and pedestrian.
Yes, some may go “Wow!” upon learning that this is my 800th post here. And in more exuberant moments, I guess I may feel so too.
Yet I also feel like this is just another post. Another day. Another week in my ongoing writing journey. One that, in the case of this blog, began seven years ago but in the larger scheme of things, goes much further back to early 2003 when I started journaling in earnest on my laptop.
I guess you can say I’ve come a long way. But the truth is, there’s so much more I still need to write on. And not just here in this blog, though I most certainly will keep brain-dumping here for the next foreseeable seven years and more (God willing).
In short, time for a rewrite!
Good Writing Is Rewriting
No, no. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean I’m going to rewrite all the past 799 posts on this blog! That would be ludicrous, not to mention an exhausting task that could take me as long a time as it did when they were first written and posted.
By rewriting, I’m talking about taking a hard pause to scrutinise my writing at this point, how I’ve evolved as a writer these past seven years, and how to reinvent myself in a manner of speaking.
By rewriting, I am also saying that it’s time for me to expand my writing wings and flap my way to other publication avenues on a more regular basis and put myself out there more. Like the few platforms I once actively contributed to, as well as others I’ve yet to try like Medium or Substack.
Not to seek fame and fortune, but to continue grooming my writing voice so there’s no denying it’s me writing and not some AI (shudder!).
And maybe, just maybe, like writing a book. Or, I should say, four books!
Rewriting My Passion Projects Afresh
Writing and publishing my own book. That’s been the dream since 2020 when I completed a full first draft of my first ever book. Then promptly placed it in cold storage!
Since then, six years have come and gone. It’s high time to tick this particular bucket list check box before I grow too old and feeble to do it.
And yes, to cut short time, I intend to self-publish too, and cut away the ‘middle man’ (traditional publishers). Having gone to not one, not two, but four such middle men in the last four to five years, I think I’m done letting others dictate my writing, my schedules, and my efforts. Time to take back control and do this on my own.
Especially since it’s about self-actualisation, not making a quick buck. (Who can anyway in book publishing these days? Unless you’re Dan Brown or J.K. Rowling)
Plus, since I have four book ideas already in mind, three of which have already been sort of drafted, it’s a wonder why I’m still sitting on my laurels!
Three To Rewrite. One To Birth.
As stated both in this blog’s title and introduction, I now have 800 posts divided into the categories of essays and poems.
There’s no doubt now there are enough materials in my blog for at least one book on a collection of themed essays, and another an anthology of poetry.
If not more!
And the third book is, as I mentioned earlier, one I have already drafted since 2020. I just need to rewrite it a 20th time (I’ve honestly lost count how many edits I’ve done on it since).
As for my last book idea? That’s been gradually birthing in me the past two years or so, but only recently brought to life after a chat I had three days ago with a good writing pal of mine. (He contributed a guest essay on my blog just two months ago)
I won’t go into this book idea’s details yet, as I don’t wish to jinx it here. But this much I will say: it’s given me hope and a bit of impetus too after that chat. Because not only is this book doable as my friend eagerly opined, its time has come and I mustn’t dawdle no more.
Instead, I must get to work now or lose another six years like I did with my first book draft!
And, in getting to work, dive afresh into rewriting.
Wish me luck okay?!
If you enjoyed reading my thoughts and wish to support what I do, please consider donating using the button below.
Thank you so much!
