In the Down Times

A fellow writer, who happens to be a young friend of mine, writes a blog that I've been following for some time. She has graciously granted me permission to share a link to a recent posting of hers.

  http://www.sunshineinajar.com/?p=5317

This one struck a chord with me, now that I am finished my latest book and wondering what's next. Why do we writers feel guilty if we're not writing, or if we're writing for the joy of it and not thinking of publication? Jessica reminds us that it's okay to just be still, quiet for a while, because in that quiet we find our voice, connect to our deepest selves.

I'm sure you'll enjoy this post.

One Day in the Life of a Writer

Early in the morning my writing day seems full of promise. I will accomplish a lot this day because there are no scheduled interruptions -- no meetings, no appointments, no luncheons (as pleasant as that might be).

I will write 1000 words, email some updates to a couple of associations where I have a web page, send out more invitations for my upcoming launch of the new book, prepare some advertising posters, and do final revisions on the first two chapters of the next book.

A good plan. But, mid-morning, when I turn on the computer to re-read the biography of William Lyon MacKenzie that I need for the present writing project, I get distracted. I read my email, reply to those that need some response, forward a couple of emails that make me laugh, and take a look at what's going on with Facebook while I'm there.

So, how did I do, overall? I managed to write more words than I planned, I looked after most of the updates, emailed more invitations. But in order to do that I had to phone a couple of friends for email addresses and we got talking . . .

Another brand new day. This morning I finished those revisions on the first two chapters. And here's that blog post I promised. Now I need to plan for what I want to accomplish today. It's good to have a plan.

Such is life. For this writer, anyway.