Prelude to a Manifesto

Right now, I’m supposed to be writing a one thousand word essay about how I learned to write, the kind of writer I am, and the kind of writer I want to be. All I can think about is my shameful abandonment of the Mission.

In the whirl of holiday traveling, I got out of the blogging habit. I had lingering emotions from the Music City Bowl, and bubbling over emotions about Ohio State’s non-suspension and the upcoming national championship, all of which I decided would be easier to ignore than express. And anyway, I started the Mission as an escape from my day job. ‘I might do X by day,’ I could think to myself, ‘but really I blog about college football.’ Since then, I’ve changed jobs, gotten myself all centered and healthy. In time blogging is something I did out of inertia rather than enthusiasm, a chore rather than a pleasure. Did I really need to continue?

I meant to put a sign up, officially closing the Mission down; I couldn’t bring myself to do it. A part of me still needs a dedicated space to write about my favorite subject.

After all, I had goals and objectives when I started. Much of my dissatisfaction stemmed from the unrelenting feeling I’d been failing to meet them. Failure is a strong disincentive to do anything.

But in writing this essay interrogating my writing practices, I realize I can’t help but write. I shouldn’t ignore the compulsion or pretend it’s only okay to indulge in when I hate my day job. I may not have five hundred pounds a year, but in this space I do have a room of my own. I owe it to all who came before me to celebrate this circumstance.

In the coming while I’ll be thoughtfully and purposefully laying out my plans for the 2011 Mission. In the meantime, perk up—it’s the off season and we have much to discuss...