My Ship 30 for 30 Journey

Follow along as I learn what it means to be a writer in this digital age.

Aug 13, 2022

Ship 30 for 30

Hello Friends!

Today marks the beginning of my Ship 30 for 30 experience, and I am taking you along with me.

What is Ship 30 for 30?

Ship 30 for 30 is a cohort-based digital writing course by captains Dickie Bush and Nicolas Cole.

The aim of the course is, in the next 30 days, to build a daily writing habit and to figure out how to make it as a writer in this digital age.

If you would like to know more about the course and join Dickie and Cole for the next cohort, taking place in October, you can follow this link → Ship 30 for 30

How did I come to know about Ship 30 for 30?

I am always searching for books on writing that can help me improve my writing skills. On one such search last year, I came across Nicolas Cole’s The Art And Business Of Online Writing. I started reading the book, which immediately changed my perception of Writing.

I put the lessons I learned from the book into practice, and Rubina’s Bojra is a result of that.

On August 1st, I celebrated my first anniversary of online writing, and I have crossed 1000 followers.

This is the best result I have had in my writing career so far.

I understood what Cole taught in his book worked and that I needed to go to the next stage of my writing career. So what better way than to have Cole as my mentor?

Ship 30 for 30 is the course that not only teaches the lessons I learnt from Cole’s book but also takes it a step further and puts it into practice.

It also takes my writing further by giving me a community of like-minded and like-hearted people and mentors who will guide us along the way.

We have just finished our onboarding week, and I feel so supported and encouraged by the community of Ship 30 for 30.

What’s going to happen for the next 30 days?

For the next 30 days, you’ll be getting a 250-word Atomic Essay from me on the following topics -

Life Lessons
Writing & Creative Life
Books & Reading

They’ll be like a quick shot of espresso.

The main action will take place on Twitter.

If you would like to follow my progress there, you can click the link/image below.

If you don’t want to go to Twitter, no problem. I’ll be posting my essays on my Medium and Substack as well.

If you would like to be immediately informed when I post my essays, the best way to do so is to subscribe through email. That way, my essays will drop straight into your inbox for reading pleasure.

Links to both of my internet homes are below. Choose whichever you prefer.

You can also bookmark this page, as I will also update my daily essays here.

I am excited and nervous about the next 30 days. I, and my 800 other shipmates, are learning and growing so much in such a short time. This experience is definitely going to change our lives.

Without further ado, let’s get this ship sailing.🚢🥳

Ship 30 for 30 Atomic Essays

DAY 1 - Aug 13th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 1: Starting A New Chapter In My Writing Career - Ship 30 for 30

I have been publishing online for a year now, and it’s time to up my game. Enter: Ship 30 for 30 🚢 A cohort-based online writing course by captains Dickie Bush and Nicolas Cole to help us build a daily writing habit in this digital age. For the next 30 days, I will write 250-word Atomic Essays about life lessons, writing & creative life, and…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 2 - Aug 14th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 2: Three Books To Read About Being A Writer To Achieve A Writer's Mindset

Learning about writing is one thing. But learning about what it means to be a writer is an entirely different battlefield. Unfortunately, when I first got interested in this topic, I had a hard time figuring out where to start. So, if you are trying to learn more about what it means to be a writer, here are three books you should read…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 3 - Aug 15th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 3: The 1 Book That Changed The Trajectory Of My Life

This was in 2007. I was in 7th grade, and all my classmates were goggling over either Harry Potter or Twilight. Not having a book in my hand made me feel left out. It also reminded me of my 5th-grade teacher's advice: read more books, and you'll improve your vocabulary…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 4 - Aug 16th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 4: The Best Piece Of Advice I Was Given About Pleasing Others And Happiness

When I was 20, Fr. Vincent Saldanha gave me an unforgettable piece of advice. The second year of college was the lowest point in my life. Feeling betrayed by the education system, being ignored by my friends and having troubled times at home, I was depressed…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 5 - Aug 17th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 5: 1 Tip I Would Give Someone Who Wanted To Get Started Working In Writing

Do you want to get started working in Writing (fiction or non-fiction)? I have been in this industry for 6 years now. And what I can tell you (from experience) is that to work as a writer, you need to start small, have an important goal but be flexible about your approach, and…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 6 - Aug 18th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 6: The 1 Reason Why You Should Read Books And Struggle Less In Life

You have a Q? There's an A in a book somewhere. Often, we think we are different from our ancestors. You could say technology and opportunity-wise, we are different (but then there's a discussion there as well). But when it comes to being human beings - at our core - we are not that different from great-grandfathers and mothers…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 7 - Aug 19th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 7: The Simplest Way To Overcome Your Negative Body Image

Everyone struggles with body image. We are continuously fed with thoughts, words and actions that a particular type of body gets to have the cake and eat it too. Personally, I struggled with my body image for years. PCOS, and the weight gain that came with it, made this fight a hard one. For the past 15 years, I have been told, and I have int…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 8 - Aug 20th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 8: How I Got Interested In Crime Fiction And Writing My Own

I wouldn't call myself an expert in writing crime fiction. However, I have spent 15 years reading crime fiction and 6 years learning about the same. And I have spent the last 2 years practising it. Here's how I first got interested in writing crime fiction…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 9 - Aug 21st

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 9: The Top Takeaway I Got From Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck

After graduation, many of my classmates went the usual way of securing themselves a job. I went on the road less travelled to figure out how to become a crime fiction novelist. It’s been six years since I took that decision. While my friends had high-paying, secure jobs, most aren’t happy where they are. Some don’t even realise that they are…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 10 - Aug 22nd

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 10: I Am Feeling Unwell But I Don’t Mind It Because I Know My Body Is Fighting My Emotional Infection

When my oracle cards told me that August would be a pivotal month, I assumed it was talking about Ship 30 for 30. I knew Ship 30 for 30 had the potential to help me enter the next phase of my writing career. I didn't know that while I am enjoying Ship 30 for 30 and the friends I am making here, my personal life will take a hit…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 11 - Aug 23rd

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 11: 3 Simple (But Effective) Pieces Of Advice I’d Give Anyone Who Wants To Become A Novelist

Advice #1: Start Small Starting out, I wanted to write a crime fiction novel. But since I had never written one, I fell hard on my face. There was so much to learn and process. A couple of years ago, I realised that I should write short stories to practice my craft and build my self-confidence…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 12 - Aug 24th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 12: The Best Way To Become A Lifelong Reader And Enjoy The Best Hobby There Is

It was in August 2007 when I found myself at a bookstore staring up at shelves full of books. That day, I didn't know I was about to embark on a life-changing journey which would turn me into a lifelong reader. Now, 15 years later, I have a corner of my room which is my library…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 13 - Aug 25th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 13: The Most Difficult Choice I’ve Ever Had To Make In Life Took Me Down Such A Beautiful Road

“Why don’t you take a gap year for your writing?” my mother said on the phone. That stopped my anxious pacing. “Come home, and we’ll think about it,” my mother continued. What surprised me on this particular March 2016 morning was my mother suggested gap year…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 14 - Aug 26th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 14: Medium Is Not Paying Me, But I Am Still Writing There. Here Are Four Reasons Why.

I have been writing on Medium for over a year now. And though I don’t get paid through its partner program (because I am based in India), I have had the most successful writing career. I have 4 viral essays on Medium. Currently, I am a Top Writer in Books. And I am 4 followers away from my 1.2k milestone…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 15 - Aug 27th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 15: 3 Lessons I Learnt From The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole, a.k.a The Holy Book On Online Writing

The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole is the best book on Online Writing right now. The author gently and firmly shows you how the modern writing world exists and teaches how you can ride this wave. This book re-defined me as a writer and helped me show up daily for my writing…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 16 - Aug 28th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 16: 6 Years Ago, I Took A Gap Year To Figure Out My Life. Here Are 3 Lessons I Have Learnt.

The School Does Not Prepare You For Your Life The school doesn’t teach us time management, energy management, mental health, primary physical health care, money management, social skills, and being in harmony in nature. What the school does teach us is how our self-worth is tied to what grades we get and the paycheck we receive…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 17 - Aug 29th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 17: The 3 People Who Have Influenced My Creative Life

I have been interested in learning what it means to be a creative person for six years and counting. But I owe a lot of the progress I've made to these people: Agatha Christie First, for giving birth to the reader in me. Then for blowing my mind with every book of hers…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 18 - Aug 30th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 18: 4 Simple Tricks To Make Reading Books A Part Of Your Daily Life

For 15 years and counting, I have been an avid and voracious reader. And these 4 simple tricks have made my reading life effortless. Pick Up A Book, Instead Of The Phone This obnoxious little box of metal had taken over our lives. We waste more time on our phones than we want to admit…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 19 - Aug 31st

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 19: 1 Tip I Wish Someone Gave Me When I Started Working On Figuring Out My Life

When I started working on figuring out my life, I felt overwhelmed. I had to figure out my writing career. I want to find a solution for my irregular periods. I wanted to lose my excess weight. I wanted to know who I was and what I wanted in life. And I had to stay social and friendly while doing that…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 20 - Sep 1st

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 20: The One Critical Lesson I Learned From Writing Online For A Year (And What Makes Me Hopeful For My Writing Future.)

On August 1st, 2021, I took the leap of faith and started writing and publishing my essays online. I didn’t know where this journey would take me, but I knew it was high time I gave myself and my writing a fair chance. As of today, September 1st, 2022, I have crossed 1200 followers and 55 email subscribers collectively on my Medium and Subst…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 21 - Sep 2nd

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 21: This Beast Of A Philosophy Book Took Me 412 Days To Read! (And 4 Lessons I Learned From It)

I never understood the fuss about reading Philosophy. The books of this genre are not books but tomes - big, heavy, and dull books with small fonts and no white space. God alone knows what attracted me to The Laws Of Human Nature by Robert Greene. But I am thankful that I found this beast at the right time in my life…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 22 - Sep 3rd

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 22: 3 Reasons Why Starting Small Is The Best Advice For Your Writing Career

When starting out, it is advisable not to hit the road running with a deep and complicated 70k-word novel. It would be like going to the gym for the first time and picking up a 50kg dumbbell. You are going to hurt yourself. Instead, you want to build your writer's momentum and stamina. And you can do that by starting small…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 23 - Sep 4th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 23: I Plan My Month’s Writing Content In A Day. Here’s A Step-By-Step To How I Do It (And How You Can Too)

List Out Potential Topics Pick 3-5 topics (and no more) of your interest. These should be topics you’re either interested in writing about or are learning about and can share your experience. For me, it is Life Lessons Writing/Creative Life Books/Reading…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 24 - Sep 5th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 24: Want To Write Like Your Favourite Author? Then Dive Into A Deep Reading Assignment.

What Is A Deep Reading Assignment? A deep reading assignment is when you pick an author and read all the books they have written. Who Am I Deep Reading? I am reading Agatha Christie's Poirot novels! - to figure out how to write a classic whodunnit. Why Should You Do A Deep Reading Assignment…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 25 - Sep 6th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 25: Let Your Inner Child Remind You To Live And Enjoy The Present Moment

I made a soul-threatening mistake. I forgot about my inner child. In trying to be an adult, cope with the pressure of the present and make my future, I forgot to take care of the Little Rubina who resides in me. I didn’t do this intentionally. I didn’t even know I was making a mistake. It wasn’t until I had an emotional breakdown last month t…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 26 - Sep 7th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 26: 1 Big Mistake I Made When I Was First Getting Started In Writing Novels (I Hope You Don't Make The Same)

Like most beginners, I made many mistakes when I first started writing novels. But the biggest one, by far, was: I Didn't Write! Here's what happened: Since I didn't know how to write novels, I dove deep into reading blogs and watching videos that taught me the same…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 27 - Sep 8th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 27: Pantsers And Discovery Writers! This Holy Book Of The Pansters Will Kick Start Your Novel Writing And Will Make You Keep Going For Good

There are many books on Writing for Plotters. But what about us Pantsers? None. After months of looking around, I stumbled upon this gem of a book. I wish I had found this book earlier as it could have saved me years of writer tears and pain. Writing Into The Dark By Dean Wesley Smith…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 28 - Sep 9th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 28: This Is The One Skill You Need For Life If You Hope To Become A Good Writer

There are many tips, tricks, skills and courses that can help you become a writer. But if you want to become a good writer, there is 1 skill that you must indulge in: Reading Books Stephen King explained it well when he said - "If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 29 - Sep 10th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 29: The One Productivity Trick That 10X My Writing Output, Taking Me From 200 Words To 2000 Words Per Session.

Did you know that we cannot concentrate for more than 90 minutes? And did you know that we can only do 4 hours of deep work? These two facts made me wonder how I can make the most of the time I do get to work on my writing. That’s when I found the Pomodoro technique…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

DAY 30 - Sep 11th

Rubina’s Bojra by Rubina G Gomes

Day 30: 3 Things I Learned Writing Online Every Day For 30 Days In A Row

30 days ago, I signed up for Dickie Bush & Nicolas Cole's cohort-based course, Ship 30 for 30. During that time, I wrote & published 30 Atomic Essays, learned the fundamentals of Digital Writing, made friends, and started gaining clarity over my niche. It has been an enriching (and challenging) journey, and I am more excited than ever to ke…

2 years ago · Rubina G Gomes

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