Progress? Sort of...

Several days have gone by, and so far I've managed to get very little writing done on my newest venture. However, I did receive some excellent feedback, both constructive and supportive, on a project I've been carrying around for quite some time. It seems to have been just the kick I needed, because it renewed my interest in the piece. I was prepared to sideline this particular bit because I was becoming so bored with it. I think I'm going to dig it out and see where this takes me.

One of the most difficult parts of regular writing that I encounter is my one-year-old son, Evan. This miraculous, amazing, perfectly wonderful little being makes it a great challenge to make progress of any kind. I am constantly torn between two of my dear loves. Of course, no matter how badly I desire to write, I am a mother first.

For now, this means that I write when the kiddo is asleep or otherwise occupied with a toy, the cat or his daddy. When he's a little older and spending more time with friends and daycare and such, I will be able to give my writing more of the time it deserves. In the meantime, I write in short bursts whenever I get a free second and it meshes properly with a bit of creativity.

That being said, time for dinner!

Here's to new beginnings!

Here I go, starting a blog at 11 o'clock at night, its sole purpose to help me clear my head and maintain my motivation.

I've been trying to finish a novel since before I was fourteen. I've started many many MANY novels, but I have yet to finish one. That means that I have over fourteen years of practice NOT finishing a novel. I think it's time to end that streak.

I came up with a new concept last week. I officially started it today, and though I currently only have two pages completed, I am still pretty excited. It was a good day to begin a new blog and to start a new novel project.

I think part of my excitement about this new story is how different it is from anything I've written in a while, and it is starkly different than anything I've written hard on. What I mean by 'written hard' is just that. When I say I've written hard on something, I mean I've gotten lost in it. I've spent hours upon hours deep within the story and in some cases, had to dig myself back out to find reality again. When you can truly love your story enough to do that, to disappear into it for a time, you know you're 'writing hard'.

I have several stories that have taken me to that level. My problem lately has been boredom, I think. Boredom with my stories. I don't think they're boring, of course, or I wouldn't be writing them. Rather I think I am bored with them because I have spent SO much time with them. I need something askew from my typical road so I can refresh my senses, rouse my creativity, stretch my... novelist muscles...

My intent for this blog is to chronicle my successes and struggles with my writing. I have another blog on xanga, which I update occasionally, but I think current circumstances call for a fresh, new BLANK blog. Some would tell me to get off the damn blog and use this time on my official works. The problem with that, is you end up where I am right now. I strongly believe in spending time writing, AWAY from your primary material. A blog is an excellent tool for this. I can use the space to spew whatever garbage is in my head, blocking my true story. Or, like today, I can talk to myself and be my own motivator.

This could be good. We'll have to see where it goes from here.