After discussing why I want to be a writer and how I’m making that happen, the obvious next thing to do is say what I’m working on.
So, here’s what you can expect to see coming up on The Writing Struggle and from me over the next few months.
- MY 100 DAY DIET CHALLENGE
As followers of my personal Instagram account know, I’m currently undertaking my ‘100 Day Diet Challenge’. I started on January 1st 2017.
I’ve spent years researching food, health, dieting and cooking. Throughout my teenage and adult life, my weight has fluctuated substantially. Whilst I wouldn’t consider myself to be unhealthy, it’s unquestionable that I’m overweight; a source of personal dissatisfaction.
Given my interest in nutrition and through years of trial and error, I consider myself to be in the relatively unique position of knowing what works, and what doesn’t, for somebody of my size (i.e. myself). For a long time, I’ve wanted to test my knowledge of dieting and cooking, using myself as a guinea pig and over a specific period of time, to see what can be achieved. Well… no time like the present.
My aim has been to create a flexible challenge which is enjoyable and results in weight loss and improved health over a defined number of days. This can then be used as a springboard to a life of better health and happiness. In doing this, hopefully I can provide value and motivation to others, as well as myself.
I’ve created my own diet plan from scratch, which I’m successfully following and modifying as I go. Success on this diet means eating food which is tasty, is relatively straightforward to prepare and cook and which stimulates weight loss. So far, from January 1st, I’ve lost over 20 pounds (9 kilograms) as of Day 20, which is no mean feat whatsoever.
I’ll be writing articles about the challenge on The Writing Struggle, including details about the food I’m eating and the simple systems I’ve developed to ensure the challenge is a success. I’ll be providing summaries of my progress as well as posting recipes of my favourite dishes.
My Diet Challenge is also the subject of my first book, and I’ll be writing about my progress with this in future articles.
The challenge fits neatly with my struggle ethos, in that it deals with an area of my life (my weight) which I’ve long aspired to have more control over, in a similar way to my efforts to become a writer.
The unique angle I’m going for in writing about my diet is that I’m currently overweight, and in a relatively short space of time I believe I’ll be able to lose a significant amount of weight in as healthy and enjoyable a way as possible. It’s that story of getting from (a) to (b) in real-time which I think stands this apart from most of the stuff already out there. It’s one thing to merely say something is possible, but to see something seemingly difficult demonstrated before our eyes makes us believe we can do the same.
I’m passionate about food, health and writing. What better thing to do, then, than combine and progress all three with my first foray in publishing?
- RECOMMENDED WORKS FROM OTHER WRITERS
One of my favourite quotes, from Stephen King, is, “If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”
I often find myself overwhelmed with the projects I’m working on. Remembering this sage advice reminds me, where possible, to bring it back to basics; if all else fails, I try to read and write my way through it.
If I apply this quote to my journey, the writing element is starting to unfold on The Writing Struggle and, as I’ve set out above and below, this’ll continue to be the case (I hope) for a while at least.
Reading lots is also something I’m pretty good at. I’ve read many rousing works by some fantastic writers over the past few years.
I’m therefore going to publish an article about works by other writers which have inspired me, motivated me, relaxed me and provided value. I’ll also write generally about my other recommended reads here.
- THE WRITING HABIT
In order to ensure I actually write, I’ve adopted various new techniques and attempted working in different environments. I’ll be publishing an article about this process to guide other writers who may be struggling in their approach by showing how I’m getting the work done.
I’ve also got another article talking about the three tools I need above all others to make writing easier and more enjoyable.
It’s interesting to note how my Diet Challenge has seemingly improved my focus and ability to get through the work. This is manifestly important and convenient; no doubt this’ll also be an area I discuss further over time.
- PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Building this website, getting a plan together for the articles, writing said articles and undertaking my 100 Day Diet Challenge, about which I’m also writing a book, on top of a demanding day job, has required significant project management and dedication.
That said, with a degree of organisation, focus and knowing what small steps to take, I’m confident this process could be replicated by other motivated individuals. To assist with this, there will be some project management articles coming soon where I deal with how I broke the bigger picture down into smaller, jigsaw piece-sized tasks which I’ve been slowly putting back together since.
- MUSIC
Food and health, my book, reading, the writing habit and project management should keep us relatively occupied, although on top of that I’ll also be writing about my other major passion: music. I want to talk particularly about grime music and the entrepreneurial vision and dedication of several artists who have emerged from that scene over the past decade.
And there we go. The future of The Writing Struggle begins now.
I best get my head down, then, and crack on with all that writing and losing weight and reading and project managing and listening to music and day jobbing I’ve now told you I’m going to do.
I can’t wait.
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