Other Writing Related Things

Wow. I’ve been MIA for a while… the summer seemed to have just slipped by and I’ve been so busy with “life things,” mainly moving to a new town, a new house. It was quite the undertaking with everything going wrong that possibly could. Everyone we bump into says the exact same thing when we relay our tales: “Welcome to home ownership!” And usually this statement is followed by a sly grin and a cackle. But. It’s been wonderful, too. Wonderfully challenging as my husband puts it. Anyway, I hope everyone has had a great summer.

I wish I could pick back up and tell you about all the writing I’ve done, but alas the last few weeks have been busy with new house related tasks—stripping wallpaper, painting, cleaning, unpacking—all with the hope that the house will feel like home come early fall.

A friend asked me recently—Have you been writing that fiction of yours? I paused for a second and answered: Well, I’ve been doing other writing related things. And it’s true. I’ve been daydreaming, reading, jotting down notes, free-writing. No, I haven’t dove into a new story, haven’t really rolled up my sleeves to tackle a new project, but I feel like the things I have done have kept my creativity alive, kept my writing spirits up. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately—the things we can do when we’re not writing, the things that keep us current and connected. Because the worst is when you feel like you’re sort of floating off, veering from your goal. You wonder if you’ll ever write again! I don’t feel this way right now even though I’ve taken a few solid weeks off from my “fiction writing.” I feel connected and hopeful and day-dreamy. Yes, this last bit is the best—you know when you just imagine your characters, you create them, develop them in your head before you introduce them to the page? I’m at that stage with a new novel that I plan to begin. I can see the characters, hear them talk. One character keeps repeating the same line over and over again. It’s become a mantra in my head. I’m sure it will become the first line of the novel.

Also. Another big motivator. My new desk will be here soon! I recently ordered a new armoire desk online and I can’t wait for it to arrive. I have all my writing stuff—papers, old stories, notebooks, pens—cluttering up the den in boxes. I can’t wait to unpack and organize it all. It’s funny because I don’t tend to actually write at my desk. I love writing at the kitchen table where I have this gorgeous view of trees and green. Or on the couch, cuddled under a blanket. Or sometimes in bed. But my desk is really a grounding place for me. I love having it hold everything, love having it as a starting place where I can schedule and organize my day. We’ll see though, perhaps I will use it for more writing, less organizing. Nevertheless—I can’t wait for it to arrive. And for my husband to put it together. I haven’t told him yet that the directions said it could take up to 5 hours. Woops.

And so I’m excited to be back. I hope to blog at least once a week and then hopefully add to that. I haven’t quite gotten into a schedule yet in this new town, this new house. I feel a bit off kilter, like I’m spinning in circles. But once I get situated, I can’t wait to focus on the most important things—writing, and bringing these characters to the page, bringing them to life.

Have a great day, everyone!

"The best time for planning a book is while you're doing the dishes."
~Agatha Christie