First of the year.

[hannah]

Much of my waking day was spent at the Prospect Park Zoo. A good chunk of that was spent petting an alpaca. I didn't get a lot done in other respects, like cleaning my floor or doing the dishes, but I can get to that all soon.

Day 1

In your own space, talk about your Happy Place—the things that give you joy, calms you or keeps you sane. Leave a comment in this post saying you did it. Include a link to your post if you feel comfortable doing so.

My happy place is writing. Not just the completion of having written: the work of writing is a lot of what I enjoy about it. Even if I don't know where I'm going, or I'm not sure how to get to where I want to be, I love the process and challenges of it. I like that it's something I can do on my own, hitting the keys to create something new. I like that I'm pursuing achievement and success in an art form that's given me so much over my life, and even if I don't reach the level of accomplishment I dream about during long subway rides, I'm still giving it a shot. I like that giving it a shot takes dedication, and that having a long-term project gives me something outside of my daily struggles to focus on - and because it's so abstract, all I need to worry about is getting the writing time in.

Maybe it's getting the usual 1,000 words of fresh composition. Maybe it's editing a long chapter or suddenly thinking of a resonant image to use. Maybe it's just reorganizing a few unrelated scenes from an old draft that are going to get cleaned up and spackled over in the next editing session.

It's me doing it, and that's why it makes me happy.

Comments

[catdetective]

An alpaca! This sounds like a SPLENDID way to ring in the new year!

[oldtoadwoman]

I too envy the alpaca-petting. :-)

[hannah]

Are there any petting zoos near you? A sheep might do in a pinch.

fluffies

[oldtoadwoman]

Sadly, no. And so many people are mentioning their kitties as part of their Happy Place posts that it's making me miss having a cat (pets aren't really an option in my current apartment). There's something soothing about petting a fluffy critter.

[hannah]

And it didn't even spit at me!

[catdetective]

What a good alpaca! A friend!

[seleneheart]

Working towards a goal and doing things along the way is a great happy-making thing. Kudos to you on your writing.

[hannah]

Thank you. I'll keep the momentum going as best I can.

[kiki_eng]

Reading this made me miss writing fiction, a bit. I don't do it regularly and I forget what a joy it is. Thanks for the reminder. :)

[hannah]

You're welcome. I'm glad I could remind you.

[flamingsword]

Thank you for making the world suck less through creativity. Much appreciated.

[hannah]

Doing what I can, where I am, with what I've got.

[lilalanor]

ALPACAS :D And <3 for writing being a source of joy for you. I think you've articulated it really beautifully <33333

[hannah]

Thank you.

[naye]

This is such a lovely and meditative reflection on writing. It really resonates with me. <3

[hannah]

Thank you.

[scripsi]

I agree; the act of writing is a joy in itself!

[hannah]

The best description I ever saw of writing - any personal creative enterprise, really, but mostly writing - is that it's "stressful, cerebral, solitary work." Which is exactly what I love about it.

[scripsi]

Yes, very good!

[hannah]

Some of my favorite memories of college and grad school are writing late at night, the lights off and the lamp on, window open, and me with the words.

[thenewbuzwuzz]

You just made me love writing a little more than I already do. Thanks!

[hannah]

You're very welcome.