Getting Ready for the SOLSC – Tomorrow is March 1!
Every year that I have participated in the March challenge of writing every day, I wonder. I wonder if I can do it. If there will be something slice-worthy in my daily life. If people will read my posts. Even with the knowledge that I’ve done this before, I still wonder. Sometimes with that wondering, it helps to remind myself of the things I know.
Here are some things I know:
- My daily life will probably have many more than one slice-worthy moments, and I have to be aware enough to notice.
- Consistency helps to build readership–it reminds me a little of a coffee shop in terms of we know when to expect people. Just as we frequent our coffee places at predictable times, there are certain-time-of-day bloggers. We get to know who usually comes just before or just after we do if we are consistent. We form a sub-community, and we read each other’s posts. It’s not a formal agreement; it’s like saying good morning to the person who stops at the coffee shop at about the same time as you do every morning.
- I will meet and connect with someone–maybe multiple people–and I will continue to share snippets of their lives throughout the year by way of weekly slices.
- Once March is over, weekly slicing will be hard for a little while. I think it’s like running a marathon in that you run and run and run, and you can’t imagine not running, and then it’s over, and you take a break.
- Not every day’s piece needs to be a masterpiece, and if there’s even a typo or a mistake in a post, we’re a very forgiving community. It’s yet another place where perfect cannot get in the way of the good.
As much as I need to get myself up for the challenge of writing every day, I also have to get myself ready to comment every day, as well. Here are some thoughts about commenting since that’s such an important component of our community:
- People love getting comments. We all appreciate knowing that someone read our work. Everyone I know watches for and reads their comments.
- Comments feel especially good when they are indicative that someone read a piece closely and gave it some thought. Generic comments don’t feed writing souls.
- Comments feel even more especially good when they reflect not only the content, but also the craft moves of the piece.
- While it’s not even remotely a perfect science, the more generous and thoughtful I am with my comments, the more generosity and thought I tend to receive. (Life can be like that!)
If you are still debating joining our community, stop debating and join. If you don’t write for all 31 days, no one will shun you or call you out or think less of you. Really, the sky won’t fall, and we will be there to welcome you back if you falter and cheer you on as you get going again.
Tomorrow we begin. Onward to the 11th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge!
I appreciate the sentiments but am a bit confused as to the nature of the SOLC—Slice If Life Contest! Is it an actual thing to participate in or your way of describing your approach or appreciation of blogging?
Or did I not read carefully enough and missed a nuance somewhere?
Phooey! can’t remember how to post—could have something to do with the six hours I just spent shoveling snow. any help appreciated. hope this connects to my blog. very excited about year 2 participation in SOL : This is from my first entry on wordpress: sodamountainsandy.wordpress.com/2018/03/02/self-talk-time/
I just signed up!! I read about the slice of life challenge when I joined WordPress 2 months ago then forgot about and stumbled on this post today….and I do like a challenge! I wrote a blog dedicated to challenges, lol! Looking forward to writing and reading everyday, yikes!
I am looking forward to another amazing writing journey on the heels of writing a poem a day in the 6th Annual February Poem Project. Onward to the 11th Annual Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Thanks for the kindness and gentle nudging. I am going to sign up now! See you all tomorrow! Consistency of timing may take some time to establish, but I can see the value and look forward to forming a “sub-community!”
Thanks for the reminders about the importance of comments.
Dusted off the blog, updated the colors, and ready to write. I haven’t sliced much since March, and I forgot how much I LOVE being part of this writing community! 🙂
Wise words on the SOLC Eve! The analogy to running is perfect (and one I can relate to)! I’ve trained with weekly posts since April, now it’s time to run! Let’s see what happens! THANK YOU ALL!
Slice of Life Eve! OMG! I love that, Dawn!
Not perfect. Yes! We put pen to paper (even if just virtually) and that’s the most important thing. You never know what might happen when you hit “publish” and send it off into the universe. Thanks, and see you tomorrow!
I can’t remember– ! Do I sign up or just start writing and posting tomorrow?
It’s really helpful if you fill out the participant form. Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/2oCb9cy
Very nervous to commit. But going to just do it!
In three years of slicing, I have gotten to “know” several people through their slices and now I look forward to reading their posts every week. I wonder if I’ll meet some new digital friends this month. Thanks for your advice and words of encouragement, Melanie. As our lives change each year, the March Challenge presents us with a new challenge each year.
I feel the same way! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Oh, THANK YOU for these words. I am joining for the first time this year, and already feel a weight lifted after reading your post. I’m not going to let perfect stand in the way of the good!
Thank you SO much for this post. I’m a first-year slicer who was about to back out, but your words have convinced me to give it a try!
The timing is a issue in my weekly posts. I was a morning slicer last March but while you all are my buds, I don’t think I can. As I write I consider writing the day before and then AM posting. Thanks for the inspiration. All true.
I needed to hear your reminders. The “not every day’ piece needs to be a masterpiece” was a great one to see. I tend to get stuck if it not perfect- those few words are just what I needed to see. Happy Slicing!
What a great post to kindle some SOLC 2018 excitement. I love your coffee shop analogy and your thoughtful tips on commenting. Hooray for the Challenge!