My Goal: Finish revising my friggin’ book already!
The road to my goal: 250-500 words on workdays and 500-1000 on my days off.
The sometimes detour when I get stuck: Plot the next book.
Friends, this week was a test. I’m sure of it.
We’re understaffed at work, which means those of us left have lots to do. Sunday found me working in an area I haven’t been in for years. I remembered the basics, but it still wasn’t the same. Needless to say, I was confused about what to do. When that wasn’t happening I was grumbling at the inefficient way the work was being done. It really bugs me when I see a clear way to make life easier and no one else does.
I left work angry and in the mood to do nothing that required thought. Even something I love like writing. Well, here’s the thing.
I want to write for a living.
And the only way to do that is to release good books. A key ingredient to this plan is writing the good books. Everyday I don’t write because I’m angry about work or something else in my life is one day longer it’ll take to reach my goal.
So, I took my anger home, fired up the computer and poured it out into my WIP. I didn’t break any word count records, but I passed my goal of 500 words.
Both on Monday and Tuesday I added another 250, despite having equally cruddy days.
I know this was basically the theme of last Wednesday’s update, but I thought it warranted a repeat. It seems my journey is going to be a daily struggle. No big. I’m finally so mad, I’m not going to take it anymore.
Info stuff- Follow my ROW80 progress every Wednesday and Sunday and be here Tuesdays and Thursdays for new posts on me, writing, superheroes, monsters, comics and any other geeky stuff on my mind.
This always bears repeating though. It’s true, always true. It’s so easy to get derailed, especially when you have a day job that saps energy and strength and sometime messes with your emotions. Good for you to sticking to it!
Thanks! I have to keep asking myself, “Is this a REALLY good reason not to do what I love?” If I’m honest with myself, the answer is usually “No”.
(Your JGL post totally distracted me. *ahem*)
One day at a time, one word at a time. Make it so.
JGL has that effect. I want to be as awesome as him one day.
I WILL make it so.
I feel for your Andrew. I am the same, my office job drives me mad and really challenges my mood to write. We too are understaffed and being managed in a way their is neither efficient not even logical most of the time.
I agree with you totally on the forcing yourself to write every day, it is the only way that we will get where we want to go. Just think of the personal character and determination levels that it is building within you, and then just think for a second about how much that will help once we leave office life behind and are full time writers.
Yeah, it’ll all be worth it once we get our books out. I’m determined.
Some of my best work has been written with anger present, hope work settles down soon ad good on you for keeping going but you are allowed to take the occasional time out.
Thanks, Katy. I’m trying to limit my time outs this round to when I really need one. No more excuses.
I know that feeling. Sometimes with work and academic pressures, I wonder how I’ll ever be able to write another word again. I usually try to console myself with delusions of grandeur, ie. visions of myself swanning into my workplace ten years from now as a filthy rich author while all my managers are still working for peanuts 😀 (I know it won’t happen, but I can dream…). Good work on breaking through the crappy mood to make some progress!
Never say never. I say shoot for the stars!
Good going. Keep on keeping on!
I shall!
I’m glad you achieved your goal despite the mood. Keep channeling your emotions to your writing, regardless of whatever it is.
Keep it up!
Thanks, that’s the plan!
Hang in there, Andrew! I know you can do it. There are times when life comes at you hard but if you persevere and continue on with what you know you want to do it’s amazing what you can do!
That’s right, Anya. I’ve sort of built this up as total war against myself to finish. And I’m not going to lose.
I always love reading your posts because it makes me feel less “alone” in this process. I’d love nothing more than to be able to write all day/everyday, but I can’t because I have to work, I work because I can’t afford to write full-time. Ugh.
Yes, the evil circle of life. The one in The Lion King seemed much nicer.
I know you can get this book done, Andrew. And when you do, it’s going to be a masterpiece. I can’t wait to read it. Hang in there and keep writing. Sometimes we just have to carry on.
Thanks, Lauralynn. A masterpiece. I could get used to my work being referred to like that.
Remember – you are NOT alone; you ARE a writer – everyday. Here lately, I have 0 word days. It stinks, but I get up, wipe myself off, and smile the next morning. And repeat.
A great mantra! I like the smile at the end.
“Everyday I don’t write because I’m angry about work or something else in my life is one day longer it’ll take to reach my goal [of writing for a living].”
Well said, Andrew. I need to blow this quote up to size 40 font, laminate it, and tape it over my computer.
That would be sooo cool! You’ll have to send me a picture.
Sometimes all that work angst makes for good writing. Not that I would curse you with crappy work conditions, but at least you’re making lemonade!
Yes! I plan on making lots of lemonade.
Great post. We can get mad and grumble or we can accept that times will be hard, it will be an effort so we have to get on with it and look to the future. I needed to read this today.
I’m glad my post came at the right time for you. It’s times like these we have to ask ourselves, “What would Hit-Girl do?”. She wouldn’t give up.
Keep at it. Angry or not. It’s movement and progress. Go you!
Thanks, Cher!
Work definitely can be a brain vacuum. I lost viable cerebral tissue in the month of March. My days reminded me of the scene in The Princess Bride where Count Rugen hooked Wesley up to the life-sucking machine. As he increased the intensity, all Wesley could do was whimper. It’s hard to write when there’s nothing left upstairs but jelly, but we have to remember that every little word we can eek out…adds up to a story in the end…and a step closer to our goals.
It’s so tempting to just put on the TV and veg, but I’ve felt so much better even if I devoted a half-hour to get to 250 words. Like you said, it all adds up to a story in the end.
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It’s difficult to write when you’re physically and mentally tired, especially when anger is part of the exhaustion. But, as you point out, anger blocks creativity. Best of luck for finishing your book. It sounds as if you’re on the right track.
Thank you, Katy. It’s not always easy, but those accomplishments are the most fulfilling.