I woke up this morning and realized I had not written a blog post for yesterday. Shame on me for skipping a day. My only excuse is that, like these guys here, I was chillaxing and simply forgot by the end of the day that I had overlooked one little task on my "to do" list.
Sometimes that is a good thing...
A writer's life is a self-disciplined one. New ideas to think up, beginner story lines to flesh out, blogs to update, rewrites to do, as well as query letters and submissions to send out into the world. When you are lucky you have contracts to review and deadlines to meet. A writer's plate is always full, but we are used to it if we have been around the industry long enough and we use it as a learning curve if we are just starting out.
Then you add to the list all the personal and professional obligations...you know...those things like outside work that actually pays the bills and yeah, I'm sure your family would like to spend some time with you so they don't have to go back through the family photos just to remember what you looked like.
It's very easy to get caught up in the moment...that never ending "to do" list and realize at the end of the day that you never actually stopped a moment to just relax and enjoy being YOU.
For me, yesterday was that kind of day. One of our instructors who helps pick up kids for our after school program had left for Florida to spend time with her dad. I'm glad she had that opportunity but it did make for a creative logistics issue of how the school owner and I would be in six places at the same time. We managed and then I had some "parental" issues once I got back to the school which had to be addressed...and then it was time to jump both feet first into the evening's classes. By the time I got home around 9:30, made a quick supper, and checked emails, it was after 10:30 and I had to get up early this morning. So last night I made the executive decision to RELAX. To simply sit down, kick my feet up, and spend the next 45 minutes or so simply doing whatever I wanted to do ...just...for...me....
Funny thing is, when I decided what I wanted to do with my "free time", I ended up reading the contest entries for Susanna Hill's Holiday contest (http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-contest-is-here.html) and then read a couple of articles on improving my writing skills before going to bed. I guess I need to just accept the fact that I am indeed a WRITER and the friends I have made through PiBoIdMo , 12 X 12 in 2012, The Children's Book Hub Facebook group, and through my own blog have touched my life and spirit in such a way that I don't WANT to be away from their influence and friendship.
Now THAT'S what I call chillaxing!
First of all, I *love* that polar bear picture! (Although I choose to do my chillaxing while not lying in snow... They really take the injunction to "chill" to a whole new level.)
ReplyDeleteIt's good to take some "me" time, even if it turns out to be interacting with writing friends online time. And when you list all the things on our writerly learning curve, a person could easily respond "Gack! How do we possibly do all that?"
One bit at a time. Word by word. (or "Bird by Bird" -- have you read that excellent book about the writing process? I think it's by Anne Lamott, but that's just off the top of my head.)
And blogging each day is a lot to ask of yourself -- especially such deeply thought posts as you provide. (Of course, we love to read them, as often as you produce them!)
Thanks, Beth, for stopping by! I saw that picture of those bears and I think I am more interested in WHO lives in that house with polar bears for neighbors? Lol...
ReplyDeleteI have not read that book but will try to look for it during my vacation. Thanks for your kind words about my blog posts...coming up with something to say has NEVER been my problem...lol...it's finding the way to squeeze in the writing time. If I don't get it out of my head, it will just swirl around and distract me anyway, so I might as well post it and make room for something else...;0)
yikes, although they are lovely, I would need bars up at my windows.
ReplyDeleteAs a full time worker, sometimes 6 days a week and travelling 1-3 hours to and fro I am sometimes envious of those who spend a lot of time at the computor. Then again its probably a good idea I don't as its not good for my health, especially my legs.
I love your posts to.
Thanks, Diane! I work at my school for about 10-12 every day and then get to go home and relax in my recliner with my cat and keep in touch with all the lovely new friends I have made since getting more serious about my writing. And I'm so glad you come visit me when you can! Come back any time...
ReplyDeleteI did not know you DID relax. When did those two minutes come available? Try to grab some time on your Christmas vacation. I dare you. Learn to write in your sleep and you'll have it made.
ReplyDeleteWell, chillaxing with family on Christmas Eve, friends on Christmas Day and time to myself the following week is one day to make sure I get some rest. boy, if I COULD learn to write in my sleep, THAT would be great! Lol...
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone who wrote entries for the contest is honored and touched that you would select reading their stories as your free time activity of choice! And i think it's lovely that you've found this wonderful community of writers :)
ReplyDeleteAwww, Susanna, you are too kind. I have just never had the opportunity to visit with like minds when it came to my writing so it makes me happy to visit other writers' pages and read their work. It kind of reaffirms that I am on the right path...if that makes any sense...lol...
ReplyDeleteAt least I put it to good use...;0)
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