It's that time of the month again. The beginning. The time to reflect on goals reached, missed and reevaluated. It's the time to talk about all the things that make us insecure with out writing, or perhaps share successes to encourage others to press on. If you want to join the cause visit Alex Cavanaugh's page HERE.
May. What can I say about May?
It was filled with ups and downs. It flew by and I know I accomplished a lot, just not necessarily in the places I had planned. Here's a quick run down.
- Bought a house.
- Moved in, unpacked, painted porch/shutters/garage, planted 2 maples, 2 spruces, 1 Japaneese maple and two flower beds worth of plants, moved mulch.
- Started weight loss plan at MRC--lost 11 pounds by eating healthy real food.
- Called back for a follow up mammogram where they proceeded to scare me half to death--don't worry I'm fine.
- Spent 2 and 1/2 weeks with one doozey of a head cold. Something a bit like this...
Good news! I'm starting to feel better and my house is now in order. Hopefully that means REAL writing time. You know, the kind where you actually move forward in the story.
The only insecurities I'm dealing with is the "Trust your instincts and WRITE!"
Not writing for a whole month has made me question so many things. It's almost like returning to the beginning stages of "I can't write anything worth reading." All I need is to sit and work. Then my confidence will return and great things can start to take shape.
I did decide that I need a completely new project. Talia and Ryanne have both been quiet so I'm going to let them stew a while. Part of me hates this because I want to finish their stories. But, everything in May reminded me that I need to enjoy some time living. With my kids. It is summer after all. So even my writing is going to be on a strictly "fun" basis. No specific goals other than write something everyday.
What are your goals for the summer? Any insecurities that are bogging you down?
Moving is stressful and can throw off your whole life. But it also made you connect with real life, so that's a good thing. Just start writing and you'll slide right back into it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex! I haven't even been able to really read and CassaStorm is still sitting on my desk. Hopefully we will return to our preferred way of spending summer days this week--sitting at the pool with a good book. :)
DeleteI agree with Alex, moving is a huge stresser and it would totally throw me off my game.
ReplyDeleteI think that's why my writing brain shut off. Instead I concentrated on getting settled and organized so that my house isn't a distraction for me.
DeleteBy the way, congratulations on your WiDo Contract!
I'm so glad you're settling down to write. We need great authors like you to keep churning out distractions for us out here!
ReplyDeleteYes! More distractions. :) The other day I sat down and started writing scenes for Talia and Landry. Ones that will never see the book, but I needed to get back into their heads and it was the best way to do it.
DeleteMoving is such a hassle. But congratulations on the house! I love getting to set up new houses, and making over the garden into something that I call mine. But yeah, it's pretty much impossible to do any writing during that kind of upheaval. Good luck with your summer writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rena! Things are finally settling down and I can feel my mind shifting towards other worlds.
DeleteYou didn't write while moving? Bad, bad girl. (Totally kidding. Give yourself a pass when something as stressful as that is happening.)
ReplyDeleteSummer goals? Job hunting. Oh, and maybe finishing something I wrote.
Good luck on the job hunt! And definitely finish that bit of writing. ;)
DeleteCongratulations on your weight loss and I'm so happy the mammogram was negative. I've had a spate of friends with breast cancer lately and I'm glad to know you aren't on that list!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Johanna! I'm super glad not to be on that list too. Send my thoughts to those that are.
DeleteSounds like you had a busy month - holy hanna.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are starting to feel better.
Congrats on the 11 pounds that's phenomenal.
Thanks Jai! It feels good to get things done and to finally see that scale moving in the right direction.
DeleteWow that is a lot to go on in the month but a good goal to pick for June. I had car trouble (now taking buses to places) last month and didn't get much done writing wise either. This month I plan to write and to finish a novel edit that I have been slowly trudging through since December. Good post for the blog hop.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your goals! I hope we both feel good about our next months efforts.
DeleteDon't have much in the way of goals other than to just get stuff done. I'm planning a move, there's some medical issues with family members and life has put things on hold... again. But! There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train. :D
ReplyDeleteGlad it's not a train! Good luck with your move and I hope all the medical issues work themselves out in a happy and timely manner.
DeleteSo happy the move went well and you're finally settled. Good to hear your cold is better too. Writing is like laundry - even when it backs up all over the place, eventually everything comes together again eventually.
ReplyDeleteWriting something every day is so important, and yet, just like taking my fish oil capsules, my brain rebels and wants to put it off.
ReplyDeleteYou had quite a month. Glad your mammogram turned out ok. I'm writing my first MG novel so there's something to bring on the nerves. But I am enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteBlog: Queendsheena
IWSG Co-host
I know what you mean about losing confidence after a break. I haven't done any commercial music composition for about 6 months, and my hubby came home to inform me he'd recommended my services to someone. Eek! Can I even do that anymore?
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the health in the world as you get back to it!
So, I survived the writer's conference and had to wait until very late to get hotel internet to move fast enough. I had to laugh at that head cold picture. With so many moves for the AF, I can relate. And now we're selling our house to downsize before hubby retires and missions. That part about losing your confidence in writing happens to me every month between critique group sessions. Why are we so vulnerable?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWow! What a crazy month you've had! I can't imagine having a house in order within just a month of moving- that's a HUGE accomplishment! And with a head cold no less!
DeleteAnd congrats on the weight loss- that's another giant accomplishment, and in the midst of so much already. I say again- WOW!
Good luck on getting back into the writing swing. You're so right- just trust you gut and go!
Thanks!
Bev
I love the pic. Says everything. Hang in there. =)
ReplyDeleteIt seems like May is always the "whoosh month" -- the one that's one of the busiest and most painful (at least for me, because of exams haha), but also one of the quickest. Glad to hear you're feeling well again, and I hope June has been treating you a bit better!
ReplyDelete~Wendy Lu
The Red Angel