Balancing Act

My searches in Wayfarer 8 are done.  Now I have to do a read through before I print for an edit.  I’ve also gotten about 15,000 words into Wayfarer 10.

My middle daughter sent me a blog from one of her favorite authors about how to handle being stuck in a story.  It was interesting and gave me some ideas for the Defenders series.  I’m hoping it will help me move forward with the story.  It’s ironic, I started this story in 2010 and couldn’t get it down on paper fast enough.  I saw the whole story at the time.  I still do.  My problem is getting from the point I’m at to the next step.  Once I figure out how I move forward, the scenes all but write themselves.  I think I’m just getting hung up on the transitions.

Last night Ken went to bed very early so I watched a Midsomer Murder episode and worked on another ruffle scarf.  I wasn’t quite done with it when the episode was done but I finished and moved on to writing.

Work has been busy.  I’ve gotten a lot done in this week.  It certainly makes the days go faster.  It also feels good to get stuff accomplished.  I love crossing things off my to do list.

Tonight will probably be more of the same.  Saturday I’m going to Madison with my sister to do a painting thing.  I’ll see how it turns out.  I’m not great at painting but I enjoy it so much I keep working at it.

I’m going to a place I’ve never been.  I’m concerned about being comfortable and able to get around in there.  There’s always this what if they aren’t handicap friendly or my scooter will cause more problems or…. the list goes on.  I’m taking it on faith I’ll be able to get in and be comfortable.  I’ll see how it goes.

In My Head

My mind has been scattered over a variety of projects and I want to work on all of them at once.  The problem with this is I can’t focus on anything.

The solution – at least this time – is for me to do a little of several things.  Last night I wrote for a while but after a conversation with one of my daughters, I put away the writing and watched an episode of Midsomer Murders.

Tonight I came home, spent time with Ken, watched another episode of Midsomer Murders and crocheted a ruffle scarf.  In an hour and half I watched the show and finished a scarf.  When I’m done with this blog, I’ll be switching over to writing on a novel.

I’m not getting the hours and hours of writing in but I am getting some crocheting, writing, and relaxing done all in one short night.  I’ve got this crazy list scrolling in my head.  I’ve got ideas for painting, crocheting, writing, and I want to work on all of them.  Of course I’m one person and can’t do six things at once so I have to pick.

As I’m finishing things, that to do list in my head ticks these things off and for a little while at least it quiets my crazy need to DO something.

At the same time, I’m in my head.  I can see scenes I want to get written; see projects I want to crochet, see pictures I want to paint, and so on.  The more in my head I get, the less I accomplish so I’m jumping out of my own mind (yeah even I’m scared to be in my head sometimes) and just doing what feels best.  Tonight it was a ruffle scarf while I watched a tv show before I work on my novel.  Who knows where my crazy brain will take me tomorrow.  See why my head scares me?

Back at Work

I didn’t dread coming back to work.  For the most part, I enjoy my job.  Yesterday was WORK though.  I had a ton of emails and it seemed like the ones interspersed with the junk mail I got took a lot of time to work through and address.  I eventually got caught up but still a tiring day.

When I left work I was still in a fairly good mood but by the time I was driving my energy had fallen away.  By the time I got home, I was wiped out.  Sitting at my desk all day, my pain level was up.

I am back at work.  It means I’m back to picking and choosing what gets done in the evening.  I’ve been watching Midsomer Murders (no that isn’t misspelled).  Tonight I’m going to attempt to crochet while I watch.  My arm was bugging me again.  I worked on a scarf for my daughter out of the Paton Metallic yarn.  This yarn is very slippery so the tension when you crochet has to be fairly taut, I think this is what causes my arm to hurt when I use this yarn.  I have a small project I want to finish with this yarn and then it is going to be put away.

This week I’m going to settle back into routine and work.  My sleep has been sporadic at best so I’m taking some down time.  However, this weekend I’m hoping to publish several short stories and update two of my novels.  Once these writing tasks are done, I’ll be looking at the third Defenders novel again.  I’ve been reading what I have and hope to start writing on it again next week.  I may have to give up and decide it will be a four books but I am still hopeful I can finish it in three.

Wayfarer 10 is starting to nudge at me.  At the same time Wayfarer 8 is in need of editing.  All of these tasks mean I’ll be busy for a while on writing.  At some point, I need to work on crocheting.  The next big project is the skirt for my friend.  I’m going to pull it out and redo the waistband.  I have two separate ideas and I have to see what my friend would prefer.

After the skirt, I have an afghan for my niece, which she just told me the pattern she likes so I’m going to make it my next project.  Plus I have all my holiday gifts to get started.  It’s already July.  I better get busy.

Balance Out My Week of Writing

As is normal for me, I couldn’t jump back into writing having just finished one novel.  I spent my day doing admin and marketing things yesterday.  I combined, updated, and entered information into a spreadsheet.  I worked on a crochet pattern, which is turning out lovely.  My hope when I’m done is to produce the pattern for sale.

Last night I watched Midsomer Murders while I crocheted and putzed.  It was relaxing and let my mind rest from all the chaos in it.  Today, Ken and I have to run some errands and are going to the movies.  Last time we tried to go to the movies, we bought a car so I’m hoping that won’t happen.

When we get back, I’ll see how I feel about writing and pick between crocheting and writing.  This week is quickly coming to a close and I’ve got to return to my normal routine on Monday.  It will be good to go back to work and have the routine but I’ve enjoyed my writing insanity.

In the hour or so before I leave, I’m hoping to get some more marketing done.  I’m trying to get more people to review my books.  My oldest daughter gave me a nudge on one thing I should do which I will.  Aside from her suggestion, I’m sending out my work to different reviewers in the hopes of getting some hits.

Monday with my return to my day job means I’m back to juggling what I want to get done each evening with going to bed at a reasonable time.  At the same time I’ve got test readers asking me for sequels.  I swear I need an assistant but sadly I cannot afford one.  I guess that makes me my own assistant.  Lots to do and so little time to get it all done – as is normal.