This COVID pandemic has definitely thrown us all into our own version of a stay home Twilight Zone. Me? I’m frustrated. I like to write. But I don’t know what to write about.
I used to write a lot, especially for the Orange County Register – anywhere from 5 to 8 articles a week. I got so decent at it, I could do it like it was an afterthought. Frankly, that’s one of the reasons I took a buyout. It had become humdrum, routine.
Not that I wasn’t having fun, after all for the last few years of my career there I had a beat that was the envy of others – theme parks and Disneyland. I was able to employ not only my writing ability, but also my ability to shoot videos (and write and edit them) and take photos. But it was also a grind, 5-6 days a week and many different hours of the day.
So, I took a buyout.
Initially I thought I would do some freelance writing but I have to admit that was not inspiring – writing nice pieces about theme parks stuff. Though I did write one interesting article about Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town Alive and how autistic kids really liked it.
Now, one year into this “stay at home” thing that is the COVID pandemic I am stumped.
Yes, stumped. Frustrated. Bored. I’ve even seen just about every Hallmark movie there is, TWICE!
These days about the only writing I do is a weekly newsletter for The Disneyland Alumni Club.
This past year has become humdrum, routine. Boring. Some days I don’t even know what day of the week it is.
Some have said I should write a book – most of them were related to me writing a book about my times as an Imagineer.
My daughter suggested I do a radio-style broadcast from my little pet place known as “The World Famous Eades Front Porch.” She even made me an official sign and had some special glasses for the beverages I consume on the porch. But I’m still stuck.
I know I need to start writing again on a regular basis, it’s in my psyche. I want, desire, to get that writing discipline back I used to have when I was a reporter. But where’s the starting line?
Today I had an idea, not sure if it’s a good idea or a bad one. But there’s no such thing as a bad idea, sometimes they just need some thought – as my mentors Randy Bright and Marty Sklar used to say at Walt Disney Imagineering.
What’s the idea? Should I share it with others? I guess so, since I’m putting it out there.
I’ve decided I want to write again – and work my way up to a daily thing.
What do I want to write about? I haven’t the slightest idea. I need some help. Some form of inspiration. I’m thinking I need some kind of muse.
What should I write about? What kind of subjects? Politics? Society? Family? Food? Travel? Or theme parks?
All subjects are in play.
Any subject would be something to write about.
I will also set myself a deadline; no matter how sloppy, I’ll try to write something about any subject in less than two hours; including self-editing the copy.
The I’ll post it on my markeades.com website. It may or may not have a photo with it. Though some subjects lend themselves to photos and lots of them.
I decided some other things – while I like to stay positive, I’m also blunt and, in my aging years, a bit of a curmudgeon. And on the political side (and this infuriates quite a few) I love to point out the other, frequently the minority, point of view. (Not that I support it.) If the subject is in the political realm – lookout. I may piss you off.
I’ll also write about theme parks, including musings and thoughts on attractions and trends, if suggested. And traveling. And family. And pets. And whatever. But I’ll keep it clean, or maybe suggestive.
All that said, here’s the challenge:
What should I write about? I leave that to everyone out there. Send me your suggestions, I will write about them – no matter what. My musings on those subjects may be serious, or comedic or whatever. Once in a while, I’ll decide myself what to write about. But if I use your suggestion, be warned: I will credit or blame you.
I don’t guarantee I will write every day of the week but I’m going to aim for once a week initially, then work my way back up to once a day five days a week.
Send your suggestions to my email: markaeades@aol.com and include “Writing Subject Suggestion” in the subject line.
I’ll start writing when I hear from you.
