Hall of Phoenixes: Dave Boyer
How did you learn about 750words.com?
I believe I heard about 750words.com from Lifehacker. (But I do a lot of surfing, so don’t quote me on that. (OK, I know it’s an interview, I’m just saying…)
What are your interests outside of insanely long streaks of private > journaling? Who are you and how do you define yourself?
Writing-wise, my main interest is poetry. I started writing poetry when I was a teenager some <cough, cough> years ago. I fell out of practice years ago and I’ve been crawling my way back to the Muse. What else? I’m happily married. Four years and counting. I practice meditation twice a day, every day. I’m an amateur photographer, Apple fanboy, lover of technology, comedy and all things chocolate.
What do you write about in your super secret private journal?
I write about whatever is on my mind or whatever has happened in the day. Sometimes it’s sketches of poems, sometimes stream of consciousness, sometimes a journal entry, sometimes a plan that’s hatching, sometimes a mashup of all of that and more. Mostly I just start and let what needs to come out come out.
What kept you coming back to the site, 100 days in a row?
I find that my motivation comes and goes, but the simple act of committing to a site/agreement like this is strangely motivating. It’s sort of a perfect storm of having the desire to write and needing a bit of a push. Plus, there is something therapeutic about just writing about whatever is on your mind. The site has definitely helped me work out some issues and has helped me keep perspective and keep calm about things that otherwise tend to bore into my brain and rattle around at night, keeping me up. So, the more you write, the better you feel, the more you write. (For the most part, anyway.)
Do you find it difficult to stay motivated after 100 days?
I don’t find it too difficult to stay motivated. One of my goals is to just have writing be a part of my life, in whatever form that takes, and the only way to get better is to keep practicing, no matter what you want to get better at. I guess it’s also just a matter of
keeping your priorities in mind. You make time for what’s important. Plus, I get very irritated with myself when I miss a day. I still don’t know how I missed a day and broke my 100+ day streak.
If you could change anything about the site, what would it be?
I can’t think of a thing I would change about the site. I love the fact that it’s super easy to use, that the interface is clean and direct. Too many sites these days want to pile on more and more until you can’t navigate at all. So don’t do that and we’ll all be happy.
Anything else you’d like to add as one of the first people to reach 100 days in a row?
It’s an honor to be part of this wonderful site. Also, I’d like to say what other, better people have already said: Keep writing. Keep writing. Keep writing. No matter how bad the first draft is, get it out and then get it out some more. Great writing is one of the most magical and beautiful things a human can do. It’s something that has the power to touch us and to change us like nothing else. If it’s in you, never give up.
I don’t know if I’ve said everything that I wanted to, but there comes a time when you have to let go. So here it is.
