Monday, December 31, 2007

Down to Business


It's time to get down to business...in several ways. Eating, exercising, and writing - in those order. And as I see it, each one will complement the other quite nicely.

I have the next three days off, and I plan to use them wisely. I'm sure things will come up, but what's important is that I find the motivation to start working on all three of my areas. I think I'll throw out any bad-for-me snacks (gasp! Yes, I think I have to actually toss the chocolate-covered shortbread I served for my holiday tea!), take my dog for a walk if it's not too cold, (or get on the treadmill) and finish finalizing my main plot points in the novel.

And then, it's time to start writing.

I have to admit, I'm a little scared of the blank computer screen. I'm reading a new book right now, By Cunning and Craft by Peter Selgin, and one thing he stresses about writing the first draft is to have fun. I need to get that firmly entrenched in my brain before I even type Chapter One. Already I'm freezing up, worried that what I write won't live up to anyone's standards, let alone my own.

In a sense, I feel like I'm dipping my toe into the writing waters again. With the burn-out I experienced earlier, the fall-out from my husband's summer hospital stint, and the job change, I had a lot to deal with the past few months. But now I'm ready (I think!) to get back into it.

7 comments:

  1. Have a good few days off, and good luck with everything. I'm chuckling at both you and Kate walking your dogs on the treadmill. :o)

    I also spent time chucking out the remains of Christmas fat this morning.

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  2. Anonymous7:09 AM

    Enjoy being able to put the writing aside when life gets in the way now, because once you land contracts, you don't have that luxury. Burn out or not, you have to meet the page.

    Have a great few days to restore yourself and get back on the track you want to run for the coming year.

    Have a fantastic New Year!

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  3. Ahhh, eating, exercising, and writing. Funny, those are my exact same three goals for the new year!

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  4. Just have fun -- that's such great advice. Happy New Year Melissa!

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  5. Dive right back in. The water is fine.

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  6. I'm with you on all that stuff. I don't really want to go on a diet again, but I need to. Exercise isn't so bad. But most of all I need to get writing.

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  7. Somehow, having fun is the hardest part to remember! Thanks for the reminder, Melissa. I'm off to the laptop myself...happy New Year and happy writing to you!

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