As I round up chapter 20 of the fourth draft of my PCT memoir today, I thought it might be fitting to take you back three and a half years to when I was halfway through my first draft in 2015.
I’ve been intermittently posting videos of my ‘artistic journey’ over the past couple of months, and even though I only have 38 followers on my Muk Muk YouTube Channel, I’m enjoying sharing the experience in the hope to help other struggling writers like myself realize they’re not alone on that unpredictable, emotional rollercoaster we ride every time we sit down in front of our laptops to say something.
I’ve also committed to taking more risks this year and to stop caring too much about what people think. I’ve realized there’s really nothing to lose, and that failing to fulfill my potential is more painful than trying and not succeeding. I’ve also committed to being more self-confident in 2019, so I’m urging you all to sign up to my YouTube channel because even if you’re not into writing, watching me struggle and succeed during the biggest single undertaking of my entire existence will hopefully teach you something, or at the very least be entertaining!
Serial Nomad 
Hey Muk! I just realized two things: 1) I am subscribed to your youtube channel, but for some reason I haven’t been getting updates so I’m about to watch all of your Writing a Memoir videos from #2 onward and 2) I noticed on your PCT blog that there are now ads showing up when there didn’t used to be. I’m hoping it’s just that you stopped paying for the premium version and that you are still going to keep the blog up. I am officially going to thru hike the PCT in 2020 (!!). I may have mentioned this in a previous comment, but I use your original blog as a source of inspiration and information, so I hope you keep it up!
Thanks for everything and can’t wait for the book!
Hey Ian!! Thank you so much for your message!!! I’m so glad you subscribed and you’re right, I haven’t paid the extra for no adds on the Mexico to Canada 2013 blog, but if you think it’s worth it maybe I will. When I’m logged in I don’t see the adds they post. It’s one thing I really hate WordPress for actually. I’m so excited that you’re hiking the PCT in 2020! That’s the best news ever! Please share your blog with all of us and I can’t wait to hear more about your preparations!! I want to live vicariously through you!!!
Oh of course don’t spend the money! I just wanted to make sure the blog was staying up. Ads are annoying, but no biggie. I will of course let you know when I start my blog. I’m going through so many emotions already and it’s over a year away!
I bet you are!! You’ll likely reach a point where you think, ‘what the hell am I doing? I can’t go hiking for 6 months, I’ve got real life to look after.’ Push through any of those doubts, they’re just fear of the great vast unknown you’re stepping into, and that’s the best part!! 🙂
Namaste I’ve thought about writing but am not sure I’d like to revisit some eras of my life! hehehe
I hear you! Those parts you want to avoid are probably the parts most people want to read! 🙂
Hello Hello My Friend !
Wow, do I have some serious catching up to do !?!
I have been busy living my own adventures on the Oregon Coast. Now, a fun trip down memory lane with you is top on my list of things to do.
I too, must sign up again to view some of your newer posts and to get access to all your stories.
Thank you for visiting with us.
More, after I play “catch up”.
Love and best wishes,
Lyndella (still singing😉)
Ahhh Lyndella it’s so good to hear from you and to know you’re continuing your adventurous lifestyle in Oregon! What a spectacular state to be living in! Thanks for checking in and continuing to cheer me on. It really means a lot to me. Wishing you a marvellous 2019 and I look forward to hearing more about your adventures along the way! Muk 🙂
Hi Sweetie…Yep, it sure has been a struggle to keep up with my story. Writing is tiring for me….to keep editing drives coo coo….My gosh, is it really 2019…wow…it goes by pretty quickly….a year of writing….mine is certainly like that….I was asked about three and half years ago for it and didn’t really do anything but think about, I better get started…so 2018 was my start….little by little….no chapters yet…no page numbers yet. I will do all that when I am done……smiling….maybe…or I will just copy the whole thing and give the family those.,,,USD Port probably…who knows…It is amazing how you done what you have done, my young friend….Loving you, from your old friend Barbie…PS…on a more serious note: I am reading books written by a Monk of the Order of St. Francis…name is Richard Rohr…all I can say is that I am beginning to “see” things that I have wondering about, or maybe “searching” is a better word…he “see” like I have never “seen” I am feeling a “burning” in my deepest being that I have never felt before…He sees so much of this beautiful planet, God’s creation, such patterns that are seen all around us that I can hardly fathom…incredible…but wonderful! Something is grabbing my heart….maybe I can be a believer again…but never again putting God into a small box…He is so beyond us as humans to ever really “know” …. but we can or rather, I can begin to be alright with he is the great sacred Mystery…but there is something that I can be….or somehow understand…Richard Rohr is brilliant, so much so that I have to reread to catch his insights…I AM SO at peace with my ongoing search to have a leap forward….just sharing…Again, love from me to you, Muk Muk….
Thank you Barbie! I’m going to have to look up Richard Rohr, because if your eyes are being opened to things you’ve never seen, then I can’t even imagine how much I could learn from him. All my love to you beautiful friend! Muk 🙂
My goodness…I just sent some of his writing to you…you go, girl!!! love from me to you….Barbie
Thank you!!! 🤗