Angela Scott
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How did all that dust get on my writing?

7/25/2011

9 Comments

 
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I blame it all on summer. The thick, multilayer coating of dust covering my writing and my writer's brain is the result of a having a very, very nice summer vacation. Darn you summer!

Yes, summer has put a very big crimp in my writing time--so many places to go and see, so many fun things to do. How the heck am I supposed to find time for editing and writing?

I knew that once the kiddos were out of school for the summer, it would be hard. I knew going to South Dakota for a week would be hard. I knew going camping in the wilderness (the real wilderness with real bears and real trees and did I mention real bears? . . . well, I can't mention the bear thing enough) would be hard. I just didn't realize it would be THIS hard.

Here it is, almost August, and I have very little writing/editing done to show this summer. It's pathetic really. So sad.

I mean, how exactly was I supposed to write in the wilderness? There wasn't exactly a current bush near by to plug into (and don't say use a notebook and a pencil because that is soooo passe--not gonna happen).

And then, all that aside, it is a vacation after all. I'm supposed to be vacationing. With my family. Doing vacation type stuff.

Okay, so I've let a couple of months slip by without really writing or doing anything writerly related. But, because I can't change that fact nor could I have done anything differently about it at the time, I have decided to embrace the dusty writing and accept it.

It's okay.

Breaks are not only needed sometimes, but can be a good thing as well. For instance, my family now knows what I look like without my pink laptop sitting on my lap. They are so used to me click-clacking away at my keyboard that they know nothing else. I actually went to a school function this past year where each of the second graders drew a family picture and had them on display in the hallway for people to look at. In my daughter's depiction of her family, there I was, holding my pink laptop, front and center. Awesome. Just awesome.

Another good thing about stepping away from the laptop for awhile (besides building lasting memories and relationships with loved ones) is that I now feel somewhat refreshed and rejuvenated. I'm ready to edit once more. I'm ready to kick some WIP butt!

Now that all my vacationing is done, and August is nearly here, I'm ready to get down to business. August will be better. My writing will be better. It will be okay--perhaps even better than okay.

So, how is your summer fairing? Do anything fun? How do you balance summer fun and vacationing with your writing? I won't know you've been here unless you leave a comment.  

9 Comments
Ben Martin link
7/25/2011 04:27:01 am

It's nice taking a break from writing. I've spent the last month figuring out the whole social networking thing to help publicize my first novel, and not surprisingly, I haven't worked on my second novel at all during that time.

What I don't like is the amount of effort and time it takes to get back into the swing of things.

Good luck on getting rid of the writing dust. Your story about the drawing of the pink laptop made me smile.

Ben

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Regina Linton link
7/25/2011 05:37:35 am

After summer dissipates, I fully intend to get back to my writing. I know there are too many things that I put off while I was running around to theme parks and vacations too.

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Lyn Midnight link
7/25/2011 08:23:47 am

Aww, don't worry, Angela. You'll get back up on that writing horse. I'm in the same boat though I was at the beach for just three days and still haven't done much in the writing department. I always find writing hard when I am stressed.. which is a funny thing to say during the summer but there you go. So I wish you luck with it and hopefully I'll get back on that horse soon myself.. :)

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Dianne DiFrisco link
7/25/2011 08:38:54 am

So true, I've lost some friends from burying myself in writing. Maybe its a good time to read a real paper book?

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Brooke R. Busse link
7/25/2011 09:33:36 am

I haven't gotten much done this summer either. I've been keeping up with blogs and my write-a-short-story-every-week-for-a-year project (which as of today I am officially a week behind on).

I have, however, formed a plan of action. I recently found a couple of critique partners which has spurred me to start editing and in August I plan to participate in Camp NaNo to complete my rewrite. I'm hanging in there!

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Julia link
7/26/2011 06:05:00 am

I can definitely relate. Interruptions and changes in schedule are the norm (and I haven't even gone on a real vacation -- just a couple of weekends out of town).... I can't say I'm feeling refreshed but I'm definitely restless!

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J.L. Campbell link
7/27/2011 12:29:36 am

Hope you continue kicking some butt on the editing front.

I'm wandering around Desperationville, with a ms to get back to the publisher and only a few pages per day getting done. Oy!

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Juliana link
7/27/2011 01:14:37 pm

I completely understand. I've been traveling so much over the past month I've gotten barely any writing done. I feel as though I'm falling behind- but on the flip side feel like the break is good, rejuvinating.

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CF Winn link
7/29/2011 12:01:37 pm

Your kids recognized you without your pink laptop??? Mine would've ignored me had I come out from behind mine...(so for home security)

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