Keepers DAY 36

It's a funny thing how inspiration hits. Yesterday I was describing a scene that would have been difficult even for a modern, science fiction book (which this one is not), but made more challenging given that this story takes place hundreds of years B.C. I was looking for a word at lunch that didn't come to me until I was waiting for the elevator later that day. Out of the blue. Just like that. Now, I know it was just a word, but I find myself (after the fact of writing for a spell) wondering where that "stuff" just came from. It's an odd sensation having a story inside you striving to come out. The story is going in directions I didn't think it would; characters are taking on new life; it's pretty cool.

I'm still struggling with the whole balance thing. I think I'll post a question to one of the author Facebook groups and ask if anyone else has struggled with this and found a resolution that worked for them.

So let it be written...

so let it be done.

Word Count: 31,320 (+0) on the computer, that is...

Keepers DAY 35

This weekend was spent typing what I had written the past couple of days during the week. I'm back to the "balancing act" of writing a book and being present for the family. I would like to try dedicating a day or three a week that we all just know I'm going to by typing well into the night, but I'm not sure what days those will be. With baseball for two kids on two days a week, YW for the girls, and at least two nights a week to watch our shows (24, Lost, Modern Family, The Office, and 30 Rock), I'm not sure what nights I'm going to choose.

But I will find/make the time somehow. I may just type for an hour, or so, a day and then catch up on the weekends, as it seems that my Muse only visits me on the train and at lunch during the week.

One interesting note: I always tell people who want to write a book to just get a notebook and a mechanical pencil and start. I was noticing that thus far I have gone through a notebook and a half (each 70 pages), and I'm still on my first pencil. That pencil has written approx 120 pages of the new book. Pretty impressive, if you don't mind me saying.

So let it be written...

so let it be done.

Word Count: 31,320 (+3600)

Keepers DAY 32

During the day the light seems to be "on" and I write fast and furiously and for that I'm grateful. When I return home, however, I find that the demands (and not just demands, but requests and wishes, too) on my time put typing the day's work beneath a few things. I was feeling it so much yesterday that I had to question whether I was doing the right thing by "ignoring" Natalie (mostly) and even the kids to accomplish this goal of writing this next book by the end of May. I think it's the right thing, I just wish I had the means to type during the day.

Which brings me to my next "hair-brained" idea. I have an old copy of MS Office 2000 that I don't use anymore (I have 2007). I am going to ask the IT Help desk if I would be able to install at least Word on my computer at work. This way I could type when I have time at work, instead of taking my time at night. (But to be honest, then that opens up another "can of worms" of using company time for personal projects. I think it's one thing to jot notes down when I have "down" time in court, but quite another when I'm typing for an hour or so a day...)

Why can't I just have it all? I've said it before, but I really think I'd make a great billionaire.

So let it be written...

so let it be done.

Word Count: 27,720 (+1035) But I have probably 15 pages of handwritten material still to type.

When Forever Doesn't Last

Just checked the website for our interview and here it is:

http://www.yourldsneighborhood.com/PersonalTouch.aspx

Check it out!

Keepers DAY 31

I am finding out that the word "balance" does not mean finding time to do everything I would like to. In most instances, balance means trading off, exchanging, and prioritizing what needs to be done. Like yesterday (and other days since starting this book project). I wrote a great deal (handwritten), but had my daughter's softball game to attend (and pick her up from), then after dinner just had 45 minutes until the kids' bedtime, so I spent a little time with them on Wii Fit, then, when Natalie got home (from book club) we were both exhausted, so we went to bed early. And then tonight: Today is my daughter's birthday. She's 13! We have a small friends party planned this afternoon and evening, and then a family party tomorrow night. With work taking up my whole day, I'm not sure when I'm going to fit in typing. But tonight might just have to be a Mountain Dew night, even if the family has already gone to bed.

I guess that's what balance means.

So let it be written...

so let it be done.

Word Count: 26,685 (+0)

Keepers DAY 30

I have entered a very technical area of the story and I apparently don't know enough about the subject to allow the writing to flow. I had always just "passed over" the details of these next few chapters knowing that someday I'd do the research and fill in the (many) blanks that I currently have. Well, yesterday was the start of that "someday."

I made the decision to skip over many of those fact-intensive parts and try to focus on the story, instead, but my mind wouldn't quite let me. I did write a few pages, but I also spent time doing research and getting some of those facts organized and distilled for the book.

Although I will continue to push myself and strive to write the ten pages a day, I have to admit that it may be a little slower for the next couple of days..

So let it be written...

so let it be done.

Word Count: 26,685 (+887) (Lost and V were both on, too, which didn't help...)

Keepers DAY 29

Well, I think I'm past the doubt and questions. Yesterday morning a new, more in-depth idea came to me on the train that I think will add meaning and reality to the story and will "fix" some of my concerns. It will also lend itself to a stronger storyline in later books.

A couple of thoughts came to mind yesterday as I thought about this "block" and doubt I was experiencing:

The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names. - Chinese proverb

and

When confusion ceases, tranquility comes; when tranquility comes, wisdom appears; and when wisdom appears, reality is seen. - Buddhist Saying

I think that by calling those feelings as they were, and not trying to hide them or just worry about them, helped me overcome these.

I didn't type yesterday, and my writing was limited during the day as I worked to catch up from last week (when I didn't do much work and was preoccupied with interviews, writing, etc.). But with a clean desk at work I think I will have more time to be creative.

So let it be written...

so let it be done.

Word Count: 25,798 (+0 at least on the computer)