Happy Wednesday! Not only is it a ROW80 check in, August's IWSG posts are up! Now I'm not sure Wednesday in and of itself holds special meaning aside from being 'hump-day', but add in two great groups of writers posting on their weekly and monthly ventures and Wednesday seems almost a bit sparkly - and much more interesting.
Insecure Writers Support Group... hosted by Alex Cavanaugh
July has been a busy month for this gal. Two stints at the ocean, one to the lake, camping, a luau, nightly coffee and workouts with 'bestie', DS#1 and his new job, dog-sitting for DD#1, and three trips to visit DD#2 in Maryland stole the seventh month right from under my nose! I can conjure no serious regret, as it was glorious. 'GLORIOUS,' I shout with little tempered abandon.
Which brings me 'round to my point...really, there is a point, I promise. :} With all my travelings, with my boys eager to boogie-board 'just-one-more-time-Eema-please', with push-ups and yoga poses, with visits from family, picnics with friends, and all the trappings of summer, I despaired of getting any 'work' done.
Work. Another four-letter word... At least when it comes to laundry, dog-hair, and sand stuck to the bottom of the tub. But I realized something amazing and wonderful over this past month. Despite all the busy chaos life chose to heap upon me in spades, I didn't falter on my writing goals. The reason being is simple, causing me to wonder why I hadn't understood myself better in the first place. I don't really consider my writing work. I like to do it. I enjoy it.
Many of you may shake heads and sigh with knowing smiles at my epiphany. I won't mind if you do. Better than I have traveled this path, learned this lesson. We make time for the things that are dear to us. Writing is one of those things, for me.
Thankful. If I'd never faced down insecurity, never mustered the chutzpah to write that first sentence, paragraph, chapter, novel - I'd not be here today writing this post. I'm so very thankful I did. And I'm glad you all did too.
A Round Of Words...
* Sixty pages remain in the Typing Saga of A Practical Arrangement. My fingers refuse to obey at this point in the process, mixing up letters and such. I believe my spell check may revolt or even go on strike. Perhaps that little program feature will form a union and demand extra pay or something. Ha!
* I exercised this morning after a week long 'epic-fail'. I feel much better.
* Social goals have been met.
* Cooking will begin in earnest as my brother and his family will arrive Saturday for a five day visit. My menu is planned loosely. DD#2 will arrive home on Friday as well for the weekend. It will be a very busy - very full - house!
* I will begin a beta read for a fellow author once my company departs. I had the pleasure of reading the first few chapters a while ago - and cannot wait to delve into this story.
* Cover reveal for A Practical Arrangement will occur on or around 20 August! I'm on pins and needles while I wait.
Hope you all have a wonderful week.
~ Nadja
Yay, Nadja! Congrats on keeping up with your goals even when you've been so busy! A very wise writer told me not long ago to stop thinking of writing as work and just have fun with it. It made things so much easier! It looks like you've found the same thing. Feels good, doesn't it? ;)
ReplyDeleteIt does feel great, Lauralynn. I consider myself fortunate...many never discover a thing that will bring them so much enjoyment - and those who do often can't see their way to doing it.
DeleteAnd you're (and your friend) right! Letting go and simply writing for sheer pleasure of doing so does make it easier.
So jealous of your super fun July AND you still kept up with your goals!! You rock on girl!
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet, Claudia! You've been a busy girl over the last month as well...nothing to shake a stick at! Enjoy you last weeks of break before you must go back to teaching!
DeleteBeta reading sounds fun and I hope fairies come in one night and type up those pages for you. How lovely would that be!
ReplyDeleteGreat job especially with company and have a great rest of the week!
A typing fairy...Gah! I've a new wish...lol
DeleteSuch a great job with all you've had going on!!! And great practice for your very busy week ahead. It's wonderful to enjoy something so much that even all the hard work you put into it is fun. Wednesday is a special day!! It will also be a fun day on my blog for the next few weeks. Have a great rest of your week and enjoy your family :D
ReplyDeleteA special day?? I'm beyond curious! Can't wait to see what you've got cooking over there...:}
DeleteYay for your progress!! I really have to step up on the whole working out thing, maybe tomorrow I will get back on track! (or not LOL!) Hope the rest of your week is productive and have a great time with your family! (also, I added that book you suggested, "Blow Me Down", to my TBR list on goodreads! It looks so good!)
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it! I loved it! I added Seduction and Snacks too. Can't wait to laugh...
DeleteCongrats on keeping up with everything with all that FUN stuff going on! But I agree with you, once we've gotten to (or in my case, gotten back to) that state of loving to write, it's somehow possible to make time for it. My garden doesn't look near as neat as it did a couple of years ago, but my writing is coming along. *g*
ReplyDeleteHave a great rest of the week! :)
How I relate to that! My garden is in a sorry state... :}
DeleteSounds like you've had a wonderful summer!
ReplyDeleteI really have. :} Thanks for stopping by today - and hope this month is a fantastic for you as last!
DeleteJuly was a month of fun-filled chaos and joy. Glad about your self-discovery when it comes to writing. That is the best kind of discovery of all. Look forward to seeing you progress forward through the month of August as well :-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on keeping up with your goals! I have to admit that at times when I get busy, writing is one of the first things to go for me, which is something I need to work on.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a glorious summer and how lovely to spend time with your boys and family:)
ReplyDelete