SLANTED SHADOWS AND FAINT LIGHT cross over the books stacked vertically on the desk in front of me. I made it; I finished my November Writing Challenge.

It’s December 1st, the first day of the last month of a year like no other.

Last month, I published an article every day to prove to myself that I could. It’s a particular type of writing to start with an idea and concisely wrap it up within 500–1500 words.

The blog is essentially the modern essay — not the five-paragraph structure which sucks the joy of writing out of us from a young age.

A genuine essay explores an idea, a thing, a place — a medium for thoughts to unravel as they’re being written.

The 16th-century philosopher and writer Michel de Montaigne is known as the father of the modern essay, where instead of laying down a thesis with three articulate points to be made, he’d simply ask at the onset of writing: what do I know?

Over this past month and with all of my writing, I’ve written about what I love, what fascinates me, and how I currently see the world.

I’m ready to try something new. I’m embarking on a solitary journey into nature because right now in my life, I’ve never felt so at peace as when I’m amongst the embrace of mother earth.

I’m going to write for several weeks, but I’m not going to post articles or stories.

I’m going to journal as my literary heroes have before me amid the trees, the mountains, the ocean, and the wind. I’m going to let my thoughts flow free without confining them to the length of a blog post.

I’m going to write a book. I don’t know exactly how it will look, but I’m ready to get out there and find out.

This past month was nothing short of an adventure. Some days inspiration and love poured from my fingertips, and the writing came easy. Other days, I didn’t want to think or construct a story. But I didn’t falter, and I’m proud of that.

This next month will be a journey of its own, a new story, a fresh chapter. My passion for writing burns deep, and while I truly enjoy writing articles and stories, I’m ready to let go for a while.

I’ll be back in 2021 with a fresh perspective.