MOTIVATION MONDAYS
Even my body is crying out today. "Get it over with! Finish it, would ya?"
I'm at the point in this book where I don't want to read another word of it. You know, when the characters for a new story are buzzing around in your head, but you have to keep telling them to shush, because the current story needs one more pass with a fine-tooth comb. It's in the last phase. The final pass. The polishing stage.
While it should be a time of celebration, it never is. Just how long can it take to read one chapter, anyway? Sure, it's red pencil time, but it's the third time through, so there shouldn't be a lot of changes. Right? With a 3-year-old coming into my office every fifteen minutes, it could take an eternity. Add the fact that I've discovered several missing words, and I'm beginning to wonder if someone has been coming in during the wee hours of the morning and messing with this manuscript. One way or another, I'll meet that deadline. But it isn't going to be painless.
Frankly, I'd rather be daydreaming. I've been sitting so long, my left leg is screaming at me, and I'm sure my backside has gained a few inches in diameter. The ibuprofen has finally kicked in, which is the only reason I'm here typing this, but there are eleven more chapters to polish, and I'd so hoped to be halfway through this before midnight tonight. That might take a miracle. I won't hold my breath.
Yes, the motivation is there. The end of the writing of this book is in sight. I even took some time off from writing over the weekend, just to give my mind (and body) a rest before this final read-through. Oh, well. Nothing is perfect.
Being able to write an imaginary FINIS on the final page is motivation enough to sit and finish this. Another 55,000+ words written, revised and done. It will be wonderful not to have to think about that for a while. At least that's what I tell myself. I know that isn't the truth. I can hear those new characters as I type this and wish for some silence. Still, being this close does help with the motivation to finish.
So now we have one more motivation to add to our list. That wonderful feeling of crossing off or checkmarking or X-ing or FINIS-ing can't be duplicated. Is that why we look for goals? That exhilaration when the goal is met?
YOU BET!!
Reward time is just around the corner. I swear I can almost smell it. (We're going to the Renaissance Fair this weekend, and I can already smell the turkey legs.) But no reward quite yet, so I'd better get back to the polishing. I'm almost there. And "there" is where we all want to be. :)
I'm at the point in this book where I don't want to read another word of it. You know, when the characters for a new story are buzzing around in your head, but you have to keep telling them to shush, because the current story needs one more pass with a fine-tooth comb. It's in the last phase. The final pass. The polishing stage.
While it should be a time of celebration, it never is. Just how long can it take to read one chapter, anyway? Sure, it's red pencil time, but it's the third time through, so there shouldn't be a lot of changes. Right? With a 3-year-old coming into my office every fifteen minutes, it could take an eternity. Add the fact that I've discovered several missing words, and I'm beginning to wonder if someone has been coming in during the wee hours of the morning and messing with this manuscript. One way or another, I'll meet that deadline. But it isn't going to be painless.
Frankly, I'd rather be daydreaming. I've been sitting so long, my left leg is screaming at me, and I'm sure my backside has gained a few inches in diameter. The ibuprofen has finally kicked in, which is the only reason I'm here typing this, but there are eleven more chapters to polish, and I'd so hoped to be halfway through this before midnight tonight. That might take a miracle. I won't hold my breath.
Yes, the motivation is there. The end of the writing of this book is in sight. I even took some time off from writing over the weekend, just to give my mind (and body) a rest before this final read-through. Oh, well. Nothing is perfect.
Being able to write an imaginary FINIS on the final page is motivation enough to sit and finish this. Another 55,000+ words written, revised and done. It will be wonderful not to have to think about that for a while. At least that's what I tell myself. I know that isn't the truth. I can hear those new characters as I type this and wish for some silence. Still, being this close does help with the motivation to finish.
So now we have one more motivation to add to our list. That wonderful feeling of crossing off or checkmarking or X-ing or FINIS-ing can't be duplicated. Is that why we look for goals? That exhilaration when the goal is met?
YOU BET!!
Reward time is just around the corner. I swear I can almost smell it. (We're going to the Renaissance Fair this weekend, and I can already smell the turkey legs.) But no reward quite yet, so I'd better get back to the polishing. I'm almost there. And "there" is where we all want to be. :)
“People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” - Zig Zigler
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2 comments:
Oh, how I wish I was where you are. I'm not even close. Sigh... I've let everything else go--my blog, email, even Jeopardy! on Facebook. I feel like I'm never going to get to a point where I can write Finis--and forget imaginary! I'm writing it in BOLD CAPS.
You're my hero(ine). Hang in there!
Joanie
Oh, Joanie, I know exactly where you are. But you'll be able to look back and celebrate that you made it to Finis. :)
And then the next project will come along... LOL
As for me, I finished at noon today, and right now, all I want to do is sleep. That's not going to happen though. (Heroine? Me? I scoff at even a hint!)
Much good luck! I'll be thinking of you and cheering you on from the sidelines.
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