004 Don’t Break the Chain

Hey there, readers! I’m taking a break from fiction this week to talk about something that has helped me this year with my writing. (Don’t worry. If you prefer the prose, it will be back next week.) For several years, I would go weeks or sometimes even months without writing anything. I either lacked motivation, energy, or time. Within the past few years, though, I’ve been doing my best to get back into the habit in hopes to better build this skill set and get my stories out into the world. Ideas have come and sat in document files, pages typed and plots thickened, only to then go untouched. Virtual dust collects on them as they wait to be opened once more. Little children watching the front door, waiting for Dad to come home with his cigarettes.

Back in 2015, the YouTube channel Game Grumps were in the middle of a playthrough of Pokemon Fire Red. In an episode with the classiest title in the world (episode 94, “Gassy Toddlers” in case you were curious), they discuss their artistic passions/histories and how they stay on top of motivation and creativity. To keep their skills/talents fresh, they employ a method known as Don’t Break the Chain. The idea comes from Jerry Seinfeld, who ventured to write new material on a daily basis. For every day he did this, he would mark a big X on a calendar. The more X’s he had, the more he liked the exercise. Thus, a goal blossomed: do not break the chain of X’s on the calendar. 

Since January, I have been making a pointed effort to do something involving writing every day. Whether it was a chunk of story or one of these blog posts, I would make sure I wrote something. On days when the words simply just wouldn’t come, I would work on some lore or art for something I was currently writing. For instance, I have made some cover art for two Rokkoh stories. (Obligatory link to “Rokkoh and the Princess” inserted here.) So far, I haven’t missed a day, though I will admit on some days I put in a minimal effort. But, overall, this exercise has made me feel more comfortable with my writing, more confident. Hence this website.

If there was one thing I would recommend to everyone, it would be Don’t Break the Chain. Find something you have been wanting to do or get back into that you could do every day. Get a calendar. Do the thing, and try not to break the chain. If you miss a day, no biggie, just pick it back up tomorrow. It doesn’t even have to be something creative, it can be whatever you want. So give it a try. I believe in you!