What up. I’ve been off the Blogger radar for awhile because I really didn’t have anything interesting to contribute other than some random musings about how busy life’s been, but you already knew that so I didn’t bother. But I guess it’s time for some updates, eh?
Writing. So I had these big dreams that I would finish my second book in this two month span of the better half being gone. Well, if that would’ve happened I would’ve posted a very exciting, exclamation point-filled post about that accomplishment. ((Looking around)) Yeah, I don’t see that anywhere. It hasn’t happened. I HAVE made progress, but I didn’t get it done. And I did have some time; I won’t lie about that. It has been busy, but at the end of the day I had time. However, by the time 7:00 rolls around I have been up since 5:00, been on my feet and acting for 7 hours (ever heard the saying that teaching is 10% teaching and 90% theatrics? It’s the truth, people.), planned lessons, cooked my tail off, done the dishes, graded papers, and spent what little hours I have left with the cutest four year old on the planet. So needless to say I do not feel at my best to sit down to my computer and type out a bunch of chapters. My brain literally hurts.
A very well-known and beloved author of mine once posted a blog where she said that stating that ‘there is never enough time’ is not an excuse. Well, that sounds heroic and all, but I replied asking her how she knocked out her novels so quickly with two little ones. I explained that I have a better half that is gone quite a bit and a toddler and I work full time, so I wanted to know her secret! She, bless her heart, replied back saying she was a full time artist for a good while and had as little time as I did, but she managed. Man, she has NO idea how much energy teaching takes. NONE. She got to PAINT full time. C’mon! That is art. That is another way of expressing your creativity, something that writers, painters, musicians, crave and need. That is completely and 100% different.
By the time I get home I’m tired, a bit cranky, and honestly want to partake in mindless, pointless activity. FaceBook surfing? Sure! Watching a bunch of people get thrown off of something called “Big Balls” on ABC’s Wipeout? Absolutely! And forgive me for not wanting the writing I produce to reflect that tiredness and exhaustion. I respect the craft and my story more than that.
But I will tell you, I received the most wonderful gift this weekend from a friend of mine. I sent her my first novel to look over, which I told her I would do forever ago. She is not afraid to be honest, which is one of the reasons I agreed to send it to her in the first place, and I knew I could trust her input. Well, she devoured it in a day and sent me a very humbling email expressing how much she loved it. It filled me up so much and gave me the motivation to keep going. I’ve always said that the emotions of a budding writer are all over the place. One minute you feel on top of the world, the next you feel like poop. You constantly second guess yourself, constantly doubt. She had the exact reaction that I desired the reader to have, and that made me feel nothing less than amazing. I really, really needed that.
Reading. So I’m reading Breaking Dawn again. I don’t know why. I just am. Don’t judge. =) HOWEVER, I am also reading Water For Elephants and am adoring every second. It reads so easily, and I am loving the time period. I also have on my nightstand City of Fallen Angels, which I cannot WAIT to crack open. And I will be going to Barnes and Noble to pick up my copy of The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide. I have heard that sucker is like 500+ pages! If B&N were closer I would already have it in my lap! The fam is taking a trip to Charleston, SC in a couple of weeks, so I have plenty of options to read on the way there. So many books to read and so little time! What are you guys reading? I’m always up for good reading recs.
Well, I had lots more to say, but I’ll save it for another post. Thanks for hanging around. Have a blessed week!
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Good luck Ariel! I want to write books so bad but I will take those on once the kiddos are in school. I am however toying with the idea of writing a book about my experience, if that's what you want to call it. I feel like I need to and that's why I started to blog.
Anyways, don't feel guilty about not making your deadline. I think you will pump out the best material you can when you have the proper energy, including mental energy. You owe it to yourself. Feel free to send me a copy! I eat books for lunch. 😉 And I feel like I could give honest feedback too…I love me some fantasy/fiction novels!
-Maddie-san