Apparently the Only Thing Brief About Me is My Underwear.

Photo by Willgard Krause on Pixabay

Welcome, everyone.

Something ambitious happens to a writer when they start a newsletter. Here’s the thing. With so much news to share, it’s hard not to write. As a reader, hopefully, you feel the same way about reading.

Writing daily has made me reflective. Interestingly, I never noticed how eager I was to enter a challenge. So today’s challenge for this newsletter is to try keeping it brief.

With creating, there is no shortage of contests. There are also writing prompts, shoutouts, and the challenge of finding enough time to write while working a full-time job.

I love writing competitions — now that’s writing on steroids. They push me to reach limits I never imagined possible.

I recently completed one, producing a well-read story and summary — winner yet to be announced. I’m now preparing to embark on a new contest challenge, including writing a series of newsletters.

The ultimate prize is gaining experience; being chosen as the winner would be the cherry on top.

Like many of you, finding time to do things we enjoy on top of the essentials is tough.

When I first began writing, my followers were few, as were the writers I followed, so managing my reading time was easy. Now, I’ve immersed myself in a beautiful community of writers I follow and support. Many of them publish daily. As a result, I spend my time reading more than anything else.

I came to recognize I needed to add variety to my life. Sitting for extended periods at a computer, at home and at work was terrible for my health.

I looked inside my authentic self to discover other interests. I could resume baking but that packed on the pounds. I could exercise more, but as a sedentary woman, I’d need to start slow.

I needed something immediately.

And then there it was, staring me in the face. It was the answer to my quest to find something new.

A writer made a call out for her new publication, The Book Café. The other morning, I joined as a writer. My stories for her pub must focus solely on books.

More reading? How did that happen?

I jumped from the diving board into an empty pool by filling my free time with reading a five-hundred-page paperback. It’s a very well-written historical fiction, Eight Pointed Cross by Marthese Fenech.

Now it’s finding the time to do it all.

This might be my biggest challenge of all.

*What book(s) are you currently reading?

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Stay tuned for my Medium article to come out reviewing the book but for now, here are a couple more Medium short forms for you to enjoy.

The cable is out without the internet to play on.

Today I ate an entire bag of peach ring gummies.

I’ve never been one for cuddling teddy bears.

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I’m so glad to spend this time with you.

To qualify for this next challenge, I need to have a minimum of three newsletters under my belt by January 28th, so please bear with me while I fulfill this writing obligation.

Until next time, stay safe.

Karen