Here we go again...

Didn't I sound oh so motivated in this post? That's because I was. I really put a priority on writning. I was picking up momentum. And then...

Life. Others. Obligations. Shoe boxes. Holidays. The list of excuses goes on and on. At first, they seemed valid. I was leading an in-depth ladies Bible study on top of my regular obligations of preparing for my Sunday school class with elemetary kids, mentoring a local teen, doing paperwork for my husband's club board, and holding down the Mrs fort. And then came OCC!

Operation Christmas Child--the shoe box ministry of Samaritan's Purse--is near and dear to my heart.

I volunteer everyday during OCC collection week, which always falls the week before Thanksgiving. There is very little time involved before collection week starts, and nothing after it ends. So on the Monday before Thanksgiving, we packed up the displays, labels, refreshments, tables & chairs, cartons, and balloons. We finished and triple-checked our paperwork. We said our goodbyes and drove back into our regular lives.

That's been over a week. I haven't opened my manuscript.

Sure, Thanksgiving was in there, but Ray and I took a day trip out of town that didn't require any cooking, cleaning, or rearranging of furniture. Black Friday brought another family dinner in another town, to which I only had to bring a sweet potato casserole I prepared that morning. So Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday I had no excuse.

And truthfully, my volunteer work wasn't all-day-long work--so not really an excuse there, either. Nothing I do fills my entire day. I always have free time. But I say things to myself like, "I've only got an hour until I have to leave," and "It's almost time to start dinner, now."

Do you know how many words I could have typed in all those chunks of minutes here and there? Well, I don't know either, but I do know that any amount is a lot more than zero.

While it's true for me that it's hard to just pick up and write without a little refreshing on the previous day's work, why didn't I make notes or worked on some problem areas in those bits of free time? Time Management. I could probably learn a few things about that from author Jody Hedlund.

On these pages, I often promote Jody's books. Her historical novels require much research.  Yet, she finds time for a few other things, according to the 'about' tab on her website:

"Together we have five children ranging in ages from a senior in high school down to fourth grade, with a set of twin daughters in the mix to make things more lively. I spend the major part of each day teaching my children at home. And then I spend the major part of each evening running my kids to all of their many and varied activities!"

Yes, you read that right. She home-schools five kids! And puts out books at a regular pace.

I am now going to put on my

'cone of shame' 

and open that manuscript. 

What keeps you from your WIP? 

Disclosure: No animals were 

harmed in the making of this post.

Inspired by Another, I #AmWriting!

It feels so good to be back at it! I truly love writing. Always have. In past posts, I shared a lot about why I put off getting back to the other book for so long. That's right--I have started a new story! And I love it. Not that I didn't love the other one, but it needs so much revision since I've turned in a new direction. The old story is still a WIP, but on the back burner.

In my last post, I told you about Terri Tiffany.
She has been such an inspiration...er...motivator...um...drill sergeant! I say this jokingly, but in all seriousness, she has provided a much needed push to get me going. I guess I can call her an accountability partner. Best. Thing. Ever.

When I told Terri I had an idea for a new book, she told me when she expected the first chapter. I sent her the first chapter. I love her.

Terri sent me a wonderfully detailed critiqued that will help me mold that chapter into the best it can be. I've already sent her the revision!

I love technology. Today, we have so many great writing tools at our fingertips via the internet--a dictionary, thesaurus, style handbooks, maps, images--but none can take the place of someone that holds you accountable to your writing. Terri tells me that I WILL finish a book this year. I believe her.

Do you have a critique partner or writer's group that keeps you directed toward your goal?