I curbed my enthusiasm to dive right in. Instead I mulled, I wrote more words in my current WIP, and I didn't stress too much about it all. The time I spent "playing" was actually just what my brain needed to get ready.
When I returned from Canada, I had to get ready for a visit with more friends who were traveling to see my family. On Friday I took time away from the task to meet with a writing friend who walked me through how to approach my next big task. I learned a lot, I was ready to roll, but I had to curb enthusiasm again. I've spent three wonderful days with my friends, read a lot, made tons of notes when inspired, and continued to mull.
I've learned something about myself this week.
I tend to be a "dive in and do it" kind of gal. This time I was forced by circumstances to sit at the edge of the pool and dip my toes into the water. I had to swirl it quietly. I had to watch how other people were swimming and handling the deep end. I had to think about how I would go into the water. I had to consider the strokes I would use to cut through the deep end and reach the other side. I had to review my earlier efforts at learning how to swim.
Oh, I wanted to dive in. The urge was still there. The desire to get the job done was pulling at me. But I'm so glad I had my visits with my friends. They helped me generate new ideas and thoughts about how to approach the next heat of my race.
When I dive into the water this week, I'll be ready. I know I will be fast. I know I will work hard to get to the other side of the pool. And I know I have lots of people who believe I can do it well.
How do you wait when you want to go forward and can't get started?
6 comments:
Yardwork is my waiting tool. Which is why I'm writing fast and furiously to hopefully finish this ms. by the end of Feb. Then I must wait to do revisions. The weather is almost breaking down here so I can go outside. Which is what I need desperately.
The bonus -- while waiting and doing yardwork, I usually get the idea for a new WIP, so it's all good.
Glad you're back. Was wondering where you've been. Missed you.
Hi Anne: I switched to two times a week so that might be part of the problem. I noticed that I lost two followers but that is okay. I'm just super swamped and haven't been able to get into a major writing project. I'm actually a little panicked about it all. But it will work out.
Hope you get your yard work done!!
I'm going to be uber busy for a while. I hope to manage it all with grace and style, but I think I will probably manage it all with a bit of vent and whine instead. :-)
Good luck with your project, Christine. I know I'm awful about keeping up with blogging and reading others blogs -except when I'm on vacation. There just aren't enough hours in the day so we have to make choices. Sounds like you have your priorities right!
Ooh, I'm excited to hear more about this new project. It's hard to force myself to wait, but I've built it in as part of my pre-writing process, and the results are enough to keep me sticking to it.
When I'm in wait mode, I read, research, catch up on family fun, work out more, actually clean the house, and just play with my ideas and characters.
Good luck keeping it all together!
Hi MaryC! I know what you mean about keeping the priorities straight. That's one reason I went to 2 blogs a week from 3. I needed to refocus my writing time. I'm taking it one step at a time and trying to keep my head straight.
:-)
Hi Gwen: Lots of irons in the fire, but I am slowly getting the coals stoked for my next big push. I am reading a lot and brainstorming a lot. Next will be the serious writing. Stay tuned :-)
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