It's Here!

Yes, it's really here!  It comes once every week, and it's what sometimes---make that often---gets me through to Friday and that TGIF we all adore.  If you haven't guessed what this is about, you aren't paying attention.

It's Hump Day!

I know, I know.  It only means we're at the middle of the week, not the end, and the weekend is two (and a half) days away.  But once midday on Wednesday hits, it's all downhill with Fab Friday only a quick slide away.

The trick is knowing how to psych yourself into the joy of Hump Day and to know how to use it to your best advantage.  So here's some things to think about as you make your way through this week's---and every week's---Wednesday.

1. Did you make a goal for this week?  It doesn't matter what the goal was or what it involved...from cleaning to exercise to writing to shopping to reading to resting to--  You get the picture. ☺  If you did make a goal, this is a great time to assess how it's going. If you've made progress--any progress--congratulate yourself and keep going.  If you haven't, then what are you waiting for?  There are still 2+ more days to work toward it.
2. If you've already accomplished what you'd hoped to this week, you deserve a break!  Take a little time to do something that makes you feel good.  Give yourself a reward!  It doesn't have to involve money (although it can!), but it must be something you enjoy.  Indulge yourself, if only for a few minutes before life calls you back again.  After all, it isn't the weekend yet, just the halfway point.
3. Ask yourself what else you need to do before Friday ends the official work week.  More than likely, even if you reached your goals, there'll be other things waiting in the wings that need doing.  This is the perfect time to decide how to spend the rest of the week, so you'll have time to enjoy the weekend.  Because isn't that what weekends are all about? 

For those who don't work a regular Monday thru Friday week, simply adjust to fit your schedule.  If your days off are split, decide whether to use the first one or the second one when judging progress.  (Hint:  Using the first may give you a little more time to work on whatever it is you need to do.)

Why, in the middle of the most stressful season of the year, with Christmas and New Year's sneaking up quickly, am I suggesting a focus on goals?  Because getting things done without going crazy is hard work.  Why not make time work for us?  If we become so mired in what to do, instead of what's been accomplished, we start to lose steam.  Wednesdays are the perfect time for taking a breath to look at what's been done and what yet needs to be done.  Remember, bite-size  pieces make anything easier.  If nothing has been accomplished so far this week, from this point on, a little focus and work will go a long way to being able to enjoy the weekend.  So get busy, and then slide on down that hump to TGIF!

"You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try." 

- Beverly Sills

 

Creating Good Writing Habits

It would be hard not to notice that Christmas is fast approaching.  Weren't we just Trick-or-Treating on Halloween?  The next thing you know, not only will Christmas be over, but New Year's will be almost gone.

If you're a traditional New Year's-ist, this would be a perfect time to start thinking about those Resolutions.  After all, even if the rumors of 2012 being the end of life as we know are true and aren't simply a marketing thing, there's a lot of time to live between January 1 and December.  Why not get a head start now, instead of waiting until the last minute of 2011 to decide on what to improve?

Right now, instead of focusing on those every-year self-improvement resolutions (weight loss, exercise, and the rest), I want to focus on writing resolutions.  Why?  Because I'm in desperate need of creating some new habits and sticking to them, and if I start now, I can make some headway.

The #1 writing habit I need to make and stick to is writing every day.  While it's true that I do some kind of writing each day, whether it's emails, blogs, or the real stuff of putting stories to paper, it's the latter that I need to focus on the most.  It simply isn't something I've managed to make a priority.  This isn't something new.  I've been grappling with this for several years, so it's become something I'd really like to conquer.

So here's my Resolution/Goal for 2012:  I will write every day, Monday thru Friday.  At least a page.  Three pages would be even better.  More than that would be a miracle on an everyday basis.  If possible and life allows, I'll write on the weekends, too.

Anyone with me on this?  Are you like me and have trouble carving out time to do what really should be done when it comes to writing?  Then take your pick of whatever writing habit you need to create, and let's start it today.  I'll check back in next Monday to post if I've had any progress, and so can anyone who's joining me.

"The way to write is to throw your body at the mark when your arrows are spent."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes You Just Have to Dream

Winter is doing its best to push aside warmer weather.  Although the sun is shining today, I've heard there's a chance of snow later this week.  Not my idea of perfection.  But it does offer a reason to dream.

When I say "dream," I'm not referring to that thing we do when we sleep.  The kind of dream we need to be doing to open our heart and soul to possibilities is done when we're wide awake.  I remember spending time with an old crush on a night filled with snow and ice and cold.  We were trying to think of ways to stay warm--beyond the obvious ☺--and we came up with  thinking about summer things.  Things like a warming sun and the feel of a sidewalk under our bare feet on a summer day.  I thought of an ice cream cone, and the spell was broken.

Dreaming is what gives writers ideas and characters and stories.  It gives painters colors and visions and brushstrokes.  For composers it's rhythm and tone and music.  But one doesn't need to be a writer or painter or composer, or even a dancer or actor or anything involved in being creative and artistic.  Each one of us can gain by letting ourselves dream.

So what if what we dream might not be possible to actually attain?  Anything is possible, if we begin by dreaming.  If we shut ourselves off from possibilities beyond what we believe to be attainable, how can we ever grow and change?  Without those who dreamed of going to the moon, our space program never would have happened.  Without those who dreamed of everyone being able to read and write, how many of us would be reading books and newspaper, and writing?

We're in that tension-building time of the run-up to Christmas.  Thanksgiving is behind us, and we're focused intently on the next holiday.  That tension can quickly morph into stress, and that's something we really don't need.  Not now.  Not at any time.  Just for the next few weeks, lets give ourselves a chance to unwind, relax, and dream, if only for a short time.  Instead of checking Done times off of our mental To Do lists, use part of that time to dream.  And before you know it, you'll be more relaxed and have a smile on your face.  And who knows?  Maybe your wish--or something close to it--will come true.

A dream is a wish your heart makes.

    Walt Disney, Sleeping Beauty

'Twas the Day Before Thanksgiving...

Yes, I know it's a sketch of a desk, but stick with me for a minute.  It is the day before Thanksgiving, and my turkey is thawing in the refrigerator.  Not for fixing tomorrow.  We'll be doing that on Saturday.  As I've explained before, with three daughters who have "in-law" families, I try to make it easier on them by planning our own family holidays on different day.  After all, it's only a date on the calendar.

While many of you are spending this Thanksgiving Eve cleaning and cooking, I'm gearing up to spend mine cleaning and moving furniture.  What can I say?  I'm a Gemini, and although there are aspects of my current arrangement that are great, thanks to working on it for almost a year, I need a change.  I've thought it through and used a scale model on paper to move things around, until everything not only suits me, but fits the room.  That's the hardest of all, of course.  Because today is the beginning of three straight days of freedom, then one day of holiday dinner, and then a final free day for finishing up, it's the perfect time.  Or at least I'm hoping that's the way it works out.

While I'm lifting and shoving and scooching and moving, my mind will be on other things.  I'm working on a new story for a possible new line.  The plot is pretty much set, with only a few changes and tweaks yet to do, but I've made some changes since I first began.  The heroine's GMC has changed from the original idea with relative ease (thank goodness!), and now I'm trying to mold the hero to a new and different backstory, strengthening (I hope) his GMC.  This is the perfect time to do it, because I'll be working on my goal of office re-arranging and re-arranging a story, too.

I'll also be thinking of all the things I'm thankful for.  There's no doubt I'll have a long list by the time we celebrate Thanksgiving.  Hope yours is, too.  Happy Thanksgiving!

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."  

                     ~~Charles Dickens~~

Writing Through the Holidays

Yes, you can find a way to write through the holidays!  The question is do you need to or even want to?  If the answer is yes, then it probably will take some pre-planning and the patience of a saint.

'Tis the Season!  But then it quite often is, because holidays come throughout the year.  Not only holidays but things like the beginning of school, summer vacation, bad weather, you name it. This season, from just after Halloween until after the first of the year, is still usually the busiest and manages to claim the most time.

Learning to manage holidays and our writing isn't easy.  Add NaNoWriMo into the equation, and I'm amazed that writers come of out this with their minds still intact.  I applaud those who are involved this year and any year.  It takes a lot of fortitude and old-fashioned stubbornness, coupled with a strong desire and the best of intentions to attempt it.  Anyone who gets involved is a winner!  But writing during the busiest of times really can be done.

While it might be a little late for Thanksgiving planning for those doing NaNo, the next 1+ month promises to be as hectic as always.  It's time to put our heads together and look for solutions and shortcuts that will net us even a few extra minutes.  Here's my list of suggestions.  Feel free to add your own!

• Set aside a specific time to write and just do it.  While it might be hard to wrap your mind around your plot and your characters, after rushing around to buy last minute food or gifts, it can be a relief to simply sit down, take a deep breath, and let your creative mind take over.
• Get family and friends to help by requesting that you not be disturbed during that specified time.  I'll always remember being told early on in my writing "career" that telling your children not to bother you at all, unless there's blood, smoke, or flames, is acceptable.  Bribing always works well, too.
• If you're NaNo-ing and find your time being usurped by traditions that can't be escaped, check out the NaNoWriMo forum.  You probably aren't alone, and others will be happy to share their secrets and encouragement.
• Keep in mind at all times, that we all deserve "Me Time," especially during the holidays.  If your family isn't yet trained to this, it's past time to do it.  If it means a trip to the library for peace and quiet (and some undisturbed writing time) or a visit to Starbucks with whatever-mocho in hand, then go for it.  Just remember that you really do have to go home again, sooner or later.
• If you haven't already cut down on those things that aren't top priority, then stop and take a look at your list of things to do.  Try to trim it to 3/4, then 1/2.  Don't scratch off anything that is an absolute must, but do pare down whatever you can.  Doing so will not only give you more time, but definitely can be a big stressbuster.
• When it comes to food and the Big Meal, Family Style, share the joy by having others bring their favorite dishes, already prepared, if possible.  Many families enjoying getting together to make the meal.  If that's your family tradition, enjoy it!
• If you'll be away from home, take your laptop or a pad of paper.  While the men are snoozing in front of the parade of football games, and the ladies have collapsed in the kitchen, find a quiet spot where you can do ten or fifteen minutes of writing.  More if possible!  But don't let it keep you away from family, and put it aside when your time is up.

Happy Holiday Writing!

A good holiday is one spent among people whose notions of time are vaguer than yours.
John B. Priestly 

Just Another Manic Monday

It wasn't my intention to let a week go by without sharing even a quick hello, but life sometimes gets in the way of the best intentions.

Let's face it, it was a busy week, and it didn't let up over the weekend.  Now that Monday is here again, the feeling of a hamster on a wheel is beginning to set in.  Yes, definitely a little on the manic side already.

That doesn't mean there weren't enjoyable moments to the mania.  Saturday evenings are often spent at my oldest daughter's.  This time of year it's the watching of favorite football teams, followed by Saturday Night Live.  I've been watching SNL since the very beginning and have to say that, overall and so far this season, it's had more good than bad.

Yesterday was my local writers' group meeting, which is always fun and informative.  It's sometimes my only in-person touch with others besides family...except for those occasional visits to the store for groceries or needed items.  I always enjoy spending time with the ladies at WARA.  You can visit the WARA blog, Bits & Bytes: Romance the Writers Way to see why.

But it's Monday again, so back to work.  This week I hope to devote a large block of time to sorting through my office.  I might even have time to move the furniture to make sure to take advantage of warmer spots during winter.  That all remains to be seen, if I don't finish this up and get busy. ☺

So here's the YouTube of the inspiration for today's blog title.  Although I was married with kids when the Bangles were in their prime, I still enjoyed their music.  Hope you do, too!

If you have other things in your life -- family, friends, good productive day work -- these can interact with your writing and the sum will be all the richer.

- David Brin

Another Rainy Monday

While it really isn't raining cats and dogs, I couldn't resist the clipart image on the left.  It made me laugh, and because Monday's aren't generally all that funny, it was too tempting to pass up.  I hope it at least brings a smile to anyone who sees it.

To all those who are NaNo-ing this month, here's hoping you've found the writing groove and getting words on paper more easily.  I chose not to participate, after all, but I'm cheering for those who are.  When there's been time to do some reading and editing, I discovered that the 1675 words I wrote on Nov. 1 weren't half as bad as I'd expected they might be.  This WIP is not a romance, but a YA with paranormal elements.  I started this as a panster with no idea of plot and only a couple of characters.  I have no idea what's going to happen and I'm almost enjoying that.  There's also no date that it needs to be done, so I get to write at my own pace...if I ever figure out what the pace is for this one.

Writing constantly toward publication or under contract can, after long periods of time, become a little tedious or chip away a tiny bit at creativity.  Taking a short break when possible promotes a clearer mind.  Some people are lucky enough to get away physically, others fill their break with reading--often out of their usual genre.  For others creating something different, whether in the same medium (as in writing) or something else (as in drawing) can be refreshing.

Long ago when I wrote for Silhouette Romance, I found I had big chunks of empty time that needed filled.  I like to create, but I can't draw to save my soul, and at some point I became interested in website design and later in graphic design.  While it's still creative, it must use a different part of my brain, because I often find that when I've been working on websites for a while, unable to get to putting words on paper, that's when I yearn to write or have some of the best ideas.

So if you're having a rainy day...or even if you aren't...try doing something different for just one day.  If it works, use it again whenever something else begins to feel stale.  Writing something in a completely different genre you've never tried make open new doors in more ways than one.

Books want to be born: I never make them.  They come to me and insist on being written, and on being such and such.  ~Samuel Butler