Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘struggle’ as a to make effort (great effort) in the face of difficulties. I’m paraphrasing a bit, but the important part of that definition is to ‘make effort’. This website should not be titled ‘A Struggling Writer’, because I have made no efforts to write anything.

I’m not surprised. Not even a little. I know my flaws and shortcomings. That’s the entire reason for this thing.

I’d say I’ll do better from now on, but why lie to myself? And why put that pressure on me? I already have stuff on my plate. I don’t need unnecessary guilt for failing to meet my own goals.

However, I am working on ways to entrench myself more often in an environment that helps me focus.

Earlier this year during summer, I would drive down to the waterfront, pop open the truck of my SUV, and sit there with a tray table, my laptop, and some music, and I would go into a zone. Something about working in my car just does it for me. But, that’s also not something I could do every day.

Take now, for instance. It’s later fall. The weather is just above freezing. I will not waste gas and leave my car on while I sit in the trunk, just so I can have the heat on.

That’s when I remembered I’m a camper. I have several gadgets and pieces of equipment to combat cold weather, including a small gas heater.

So here I am. Sitting the trunk at the state park, with the heater and my laptop.

If I do nothing else here, at least I wrote this entry.

And then once I leave here I can stop at the shopping center around the corner. There’s stuff to buy.

State Park, MD. 2024