Don't Give Up On Your Creative Challenges

I'm only 9 days into Inktober, and let me tell you, it's pretty hard to fit a daily drawing into my schedule, let alone one I actually like.

But hey, as someone who has abandoned my fair share of commitments, let me tell you that you should not give up.

Self-imposed challenges are some of the greatest tools I've ever used. Without them, I never would have written all the novels, short stories and poems that I have. I wouldn't even be close to being the motivated writer I am. (And yeah, I'm talking about NaNoWriMo again. I'm not sorry. The site re-launched on the 1st and I'm too excited).

Whether you're taking part in Inktober, NaNoWriMo or some other challenge to increase your creative integrity, I just want to tell you that you should fight the urge to falter. Over the years, I've listened to a lot of people tell me why they gave up such-and-such a challenge (usually NaNo) before it was over. Scheduling is the biggest excuse. I do completely understand how tired you are at the end of a long day spent at class, work or both, but to me, a challenge isn't about bending to the pressures of life and letting them get the better of you. It's about succeeding in the challenge despite them. That's the whole point of the word challenge.

Now, there will be things you don't anticipate. This is a given. There will be days when you won't have access to your laptop or notebook or sketchbook, and you'll feel horrible when bedtime rolls around because you failed today. And the next day, a similar thing might happen and you'll think 'well I skipped yesterday so I might as well skip today.' This is poisonous thinking. Remember: a challenge isn't about bending. It's about persevering. Mental motivation is half the battle.

So if you're planning on undertaking a challenge this year... plan. Take a few free days and work ahead, or make time in your schedule to draw that one ink picture a day. It's totally up to you. And if you fall short, evaluate what went wrong and try all the harder next time; don't just let it go. That's not how creative people grow toward success.

Make a plan, stick to the schedule and remember you're doing this for you. For fun. For a purpose.

Now stop reading this and go write something.