There is an author I read for a while who had a new chapter after barely 2 pages of writing. For me, a new chapter means repositioning the story for the next section or action and giving me a good stopping place. Or a new starting place. I don’t want to stop a chapter too soon nor enjoy the constant shift of 2-page chapters present. I love long chapters with lots of data points and story elements.
Until you reach the ending, chapters represent the same story moving forward.
This year, I proposed not to do anything new because my focus was geared toward a specific position I wanted to be in by year-end. It’s impossible. It’s not the low-hanging fruit or bauble of distraction, but my interests are so broad, and when I find an opportunity, I allow myself to be drawn to the fire.
A recent author’s workshop warned against this.
Leadership books tell you to keep your focus.
Even the Bible warns of destruction by distraction.
However, I want to write, create, invent, learn, and build something new.
I want to return to childhood learning points and add to the base of knowledge.
If anything, I want to keep my mind and interests flowing forward.
This morning, I thought of my life as chapters in a book.
I asked AI how many chapters a good book should have.
There’s no clear answer. It depends on the story and the storyteller.
Wait! It’s my story. I want to tell it my way. (Frank Sinatra memory.)
Puppet. Pauper. Pirate. Poet. Pawn. King. Up. Down. Over. Out… I know one thing!
Each time, I find myself…what? Wanting to do something new? I do.
Until my talent for picking up and moving forward wanes as the setting sun,
I’ll not slow down from life that interests me. I’ll keep going and doing all day long.
I suspect I’m worried about slowing down way too soon. What happens then?
That’s not just a chapter’s end. There’s more. Until.
It’s the final “That’s all, folks!” Or the infamous “The End.” Not me!
Keep writing, creating, inventing, learning, and building. That’s me!
I want to be wise enough to know The Ending.
And with grace, make my exit, stage right.
But I need to know I’ve done my all. Everything.
It’s time for someone else to pick up the race.
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:6-8 NKJV)
Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!