This is my post for the September edition of Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group. On the first Wednesday of every month, members write posts designed to help and inspire other writers, or perhaps seeking support in their own efforts. To read more posts, click here.
As I write this, in some states, school buses rolled weeks
ago. Here they just begin. It’s the calendar I’ve been used to all my
life. September means back to school.
And even though I’m so long past those days they feel like ancient times, my rhythms
pick up again, after Labor Day. Like New
Year’s in September, I formulate goals, make plans, eye the future. My aim now, after a summer slowdown and a mind-
altering vacation far away, is to start back on my novel, still in first draft
mode, and to get it done by Christmas.
It's been a difficult summer for me, and I've been inching along, trying to make forward progress in every way. With the novel, I feel like I need to set a time line, as I’ve been
scratching it out, like a stick in wet sand, for much longer than it should
take.
Now it’s time to inhale, sit myself down and concentrate on
this story.
Do you make plans in the fall? What to do you to focus?
19 comments:
Take it as a fresh start and get it done!
Back to school just means I get stuck behind a stupid bus every morning...
I'm like you. 12 years of training at a crucial age set the habit. Fresh notebooks, some new teachers, and yeehaw -pitter patter fly atter.
Yeh for a fresh start! Good luck with the draft! I set a goal to finish my draft by the end of September, but we'll have to see how that goes.... :)
As far as getting things done, one season is pretty much like any other for me. I always feel like I'm chasing myself and never catching up!
http://teamnetherworldlovesyou.blogspot.com/
Since I left teaching to write full time, I do still feel that surge in focus and energy in the fall. I write fastest in September and October. I need it this year.
Susan Says
I find it sad to see school buses in August here in Texas. It's too hot. While still hot after Labor Day, that's when I think school should start and I should be breaking out the sweatshirt. I get that fall mindset and am rejuvenated. Everything seems crisper. Glad you have your book goal. I bet you surprise yourself with your progress. Good luck
We are going through major transitions this fall and I feel like I'm just hanging on by the skin of my teeth -but I didn't post about that today. It's too close . . . maybe next month.
Anyway . . . I hope your writing comes into sharp focus and you have a wonderful September!
I wish school started here in September (and everywhere). It, too, is the schedule I know.
As for the novel... sometimes we need a break in order for the creative juice to flow. I hope that when you get back to it you see all of the cracks you didn't before and fill them in. Distance isn't always a bad thing!
Just breathe, try to find some space for a second without demands and let my body totally relax, and then I go back and jump in with both feet I guess, or I procrastinate. Its better to jump in anyway. I think we all think it should go faster or easier, but it is different for everyone. You are making progress.
I just watched a podcast by Joanna Penn with James Scott Bell, and he said all authors tend think it should go faster for them, but everyone has their own pace. Even the over night successors have put in years working a blog, putting it out there with success, so have patience with self and keep learning and doing. Its the writer's way lol.
Best of Luck,
Juneta Writer's Gambit
oops, made typo with world choice last paragraph--should read, "putting it out there without success at first." Sorry. Did not see a delete button.
I'm many years removed from the grind of school and my kids are still to young to go themselves, but I feel you. September feels like the start of something. Maybe because it's also the start of the season I like the most - Autumn - when it's not too hot or too cold. It really does feel like a start instead of an ending.
I remember feeling so energized when school started in the fall. I always had such big plans once the kids were back on schedule. I could use some of that energy now!
I'm in the same boat. I want to finish the first draft of the last part of my trilogy by Christmas, but I haven't started yet. This feels so much harder than everything else I've written so far, including a prequel (which I wrote as a delaying tactic - sigh), but there's nothing for it but best foot forward!
Like Juneta said above, take some time to breathe and be alone and think about your novel. I took a class given by one of my favorite people - Laurie Schnebly - and she helped me with a mini-outline of my next book but I've been waiting until the kids went back to school to start writing. I seem to be looking for reasons not to start. I'm guessing that's pretty typical of us writers, right? I have written 5 books and every single time I think the last one is THE last one I'll be able to write. Underneath it all, I guess I'm insecure.
I get the same rejuvenated "back to school," feeling. I'm joining your crusade and adopting your goals. Set a deadline and get the dang book finished. Best of luck to you.
This part of the year always flies by so fast. Best wishes for doing some concentrated work on your novel.
Liza, since I take most of the summer off, September is a month to get up and running again. It requires a lot of coffee in the morning and wine in the evening.
For me it's a bit odd. My routine has disappeared. I think I'm going to try and find a new one, so I can get on schedule. I have a new novel gnawing at my soul.
Michigan passed a law some time ago that school doesn't resume until after Labor Day. Seems appropriate.
It is nice to see familiar faces as I reenter the blogging world. I would also like to devote more time to my writing, usually can't until after the garden season is over, which is November for me. Good luck wrapping up your novel. Once I get back into the swing of a story, I find it easy to immerse myself in it, but I find I have to either jump in whole hog or not at all.
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