Do I Write Everyday?

Hell no! If truth be told…and I going to tell it you now after downing a shot of truth serum (neat rather than on ice), I don’t write every day. In fact, I don’t even write every week or month for that matter. Oh the horrors!

Sure, in order to become a better writer you need to practice. Practice makes permanent, right? I am always hearing that you need to sit down and make it a daily habit because getting started is the hardest part. At least that seems to be what all good writers suggest.

I know this, yet I don’t follow this advice. Sure I WANT to follow this strategy, but a lot of times I’m just not feeling it. I have a million excuses…and I can justify not writing each day better than anyone. I am my own best apologist.

For example, there is the work thing that I do each day – working as a Physical Therapist in a busy ICU that is mentally, physically, and emotionally draining for the 40 plus hours I spend there each week.

And then there is my gym time….I try to go to the gym 3-4 times a week very early in the morning before week which I try to prioritise in order to stay strong, vibrant, and healthy for my family.

And then there is my rediscovered passion for leisure reading….ok, maybe passion might be too strong a word in this case. Loved reading as a kid – you could say that I was a voracious reader, especially when it came to reading about the exploits of the sleuths the Hardy Boys. Frank and Joe Hardy anyone? Can still vividly see the colorful hardback book covers that I proudly displayed in a makeshift bookshelf in my room that I made in shop class at school. A few years ago, I stumbled across a few authors in fiction/thriller genre like David Baldacci and Michael Connelly. Great reads in every book.

And of course last but certainly not LEAST….is family time. My wife and I have been married for 30 years and have 3 children (1 girl and 2 boys) aged 17-23 along with a wonderful Berne Doodle named Tilly who is an absolute delight.

Is this post actually masquerading as a confession? Am I fishing for an understanding nod from you the reader as I lay out all my excuses for not being a more prolific writer? Ok you got me! Guilty on all charges! “Will the jury please rise? By a unanimous verdict, we the jury exonerate all blame for Al MacVicar for not following a daily writing regime”.

Whew! Thanks for enabling me and letting me off the hook. I can now get on with my life guilt-free and only open the laptop when I feel the urge to write…like right now.

So from here on in, I will post my inner musings and thoughts – however random they may be – as they float throughout my cerebral cortex waiting to be captured by a fishing net to be dispersed for public consumption. Some days there may be quite a haul and I will happily reap the rewards of inner satisfaction and pride that will propel me to cast another net. Other days I may only pull in an old tire, a boot, or a plastic bottle that has clogged up my creativity ducts in my brain. Was this a metaphor? Probably a weird one but at least I’m writing today.

Well, that’s all folks…no, I can’t end this post in a blatant reference to Bugs Bunny. (Sorry Bugs, you deserve better than that). Maybe somewhat appropriate as this is a bit of a loony piece. Instead, I will close with the more commonly used expression of …until next time, thanks for reading!