January seems to be flying by. With only one week left to go I thought I might do a quick inventory of what I’ve managed to write so far:
- A draft outline for my next book. This was already roughed up but I’ve typed it up and it’s starting to take shape.
- Very rough notes for a new novel idea
- Morning pages – not every day I have to admit, but a few times a week which has gone a long way to helping declutter the brain.
- Blog posts – my own and a few to send to other writers who are hosting me on their blogs in upcoming weeks.
- Plans and goals for my writing year.
As much as I’d love to say that I’ve done more, it’s a list I’m pretty happy with. It’s been great to be here in such beautiful surroundings recharging the batteries and getting prepared for some more serious work when the holidays come to an end.
Here’s a few pics of some of the beautiful images I’ve been enjoying.
I hope your writing has been going well this month. For those who aren’t writers I hope you’ve managed to find some time to relax, read a good book and plan for a great year ahead.
Having devoted this month to getting my book DONE, I have come to realise just how many distractions I have in any given day. You’d think, being a solo flyer, that I would have all the time and opportunity in the world to devote to getting this book completed. BUT my time is constantly interrupted. A lot of it is my own fault. Actually, all of it is my own fault. For one, Facebook is a huge problem. I keep looking at it to see what useless status updates people are putting on, looking at pictures of their lunches, dinners, snacks, whatever. As soon as an email pops into my in-box I will leave my writing, never mind if it’s at a crucial heart-wrenching scene, just to see the email and probably respond with some lengthy reply. If my i-phone is nearby, which it usually is because I hate to miss anything, I might look at the weather application about fifity times a day to see what the temperature is outside. Someone rings me and I cringe and groan and make other stupid frustrated noises at the disturbance, but then I answer it anyway in my ‘sweetness and light’ voice and usually get roped into babysitting or spending the next hour handing out advice (mostly always a cop question.) I make coffee that sits on the breakfast bar forgotten because I’ve been daydreaming out the window (the latest is of me winning the Oscar for best screen play in a motion picture.) I’ll walk outside to get the paper from the driveway and then weed all the way back to the front door. I’ll spot the guitar sitting on its stand in the corner of the room and start strumming away for half an hour before I remember where I am. In the meantime, the book has not written one word by itself. Oh, and then I get carried away leaving a long, whinging comment on your blog, Pam.
Other than that, it’s going really well.
Sounds like a fair bit of procrastinating going on there Kerry. I’m expert at it myself. Maybe try setting aside a couple of hours a day where you turn the phone off and leave it in another room. You can also use a timer and glue yourself to the chair untilmit goes off and then do facebook as a reward. There is some sort of program you can download which blocks facebook and email etc for whatever time you set while you write. Can’t think of the name of it but will let you know.
With so much beautiful scenery, I’m not sure I would ever get down to writing. It sounds like you are doing pretty well. I’m happy to say this January has been my best month ever for creative output. I pray it continues.
Thanks for the post.
That was an excellent post today. Great writing style.
Thanks so much for sharing it. I really enjoyed reading it very much. You have a wonderful day!
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Glad you enjoyed the post!
I sure did. I will also pass it along to others. Thanks again. I appreciate good blogs and the people who write them.
Sounds and looks idyllic, Pamela, and I’m impressed with your list. Imagine what inspiration your soaking up and storing, just being in that beautiful place. That’s writing too, in a way, isn’t it? Although I realise it’s all too easy to say that, and let it become procrastination.
I’ve just finished reading (slowly) Flight Behaviour, Barbara Kingsolver’s latest novel. Brilliant in every way – writing style, subject matter, character and plot development. What a master! Very inspiring for my own writing.