Time keeps flying past. The days dissolve into weeks, into months, and my deadline gets closer and closer.
The more I worry about not producing prose, the less I produce. This past weekend, I got little done on Saturday and none on Sunday. I went to bed very discouraged.
Looking back at my Sunday, I had done many necessary tasks, on top of a walk, a brief (very brief!) bit of meditation, and some time at the gym.
But the remaining spare time was lost in re-reading Lois McMaster Bujold’s novel, Captain Vorpatril’s Alliance. Before, I had only skimmed through it. This second time, I was much more entrenched in the characters, and envious of Bujold’s skill as a world-builder.
Sunday night I felt every bit of my lack of forward momentum, blaming my frequent escapes into other readings and DVDs, and fearing that I would never live up to the climax of the trilogy that’s lodged in my head.
Monday came as a big surprise. My waking mind teemed with ideas. I had to get up at 4:30 a.m. to scribble notes to amend some sections already written, ideas for minor characters, and more future challenges and solutions for the teens . . .
All very exciting and encouraging.
Tuesday morning, I’m back to square one again: i.e., I need to sit down and develop those ideas. If I don’t, no more will come. My day looms with errands and a dentist appointment, and a to-do list, not to mention this blog to complete.
One good writing reminder popped up on my screen from someone else’s blog:
Write like no one is reading.
We none of us produce a polished novel on a first draft. My first job is to write the story (which is my goal by year’s end). Editing comes later (and for me is the most fun). In her classes, Betsy James always stresses wearing the right hat for the job. I need to put on my writing cap this morning, not my editor’s hat.
Do the work, is the order of the day.
It’s hot here. We usually get our 100+ degree days in June, followed by cooler, but more humid, July and August. Not this year.
With all these heat domes, is anybody not believing in Global Warming?
Y’all stay cool and hydrated.
Kate Harrington 