I've got three days off next week to deal with a variety of stuff, but even with the stuff I need to do there should some of the largest blocks of writing time I've had. My wife is totally on board since I'm making rapid progress.

I'm hoping to get done with chapter 10 by this weekend so I can blow through 11 and 12 during my days off. I'm very excited about 11 and 12 since everything changes in the story. There's another big event in 14, but I don't think I can get there during my days off.

You're doing great. I'm admiring your progress from afar.

I'm just looking forward to having three days of 3-6 hour blocks of time. Depending on how much yard work my wife wants me to do.

Go Gud!

I need to figure out what I want to work on.

I feel a bit like a rudderless boat at the moment.

I made a list of reasons why I write, here. [link] Because when I want to quit anything my mother always wants me to "make a list,"However, I think being an ex-writer is more like being Ex-gay than an ex-saleslady, but I made the list, anyway. But picture me looking down on my keyboard thinking "I wish I knew how to quit you,"

But picture me looking down on my keyboard thinking "I wish I knew how to quit you,"

You and me both, sister. You and me both.

Barb, why don't you try writing something completely unlike what you usually do? Like, a different genre, or time period? Just to fool around, get the muscle working without attaching it to anything with any kind of expectations?

Try some fanfic, even. Just something you can have fun with.

It's a sensible thought, Amy-- but then again, I'm not the most sensible sort. It's like I have the burning impulse to get back in the saddle-- I'm just not sure which saddle.

I am also rather suspicious that Carmen sucks.

(I know, I know... I'm just trying to piece it all back together from the unmitigated disaster it had become.)

But I'm saying ... get in another saddle for a little while. Just for a change of scenery or whatever. Write, like, a personal essay or something. You know what I mean? Give your brain some time to relax and focus on something else.

Give your brain some time to relax and focus on something else.

::SNORT::

Have you met my brain? I could climb in another saddle with all good intentions. Trying to distract myself, but there it would be... longingly looking at the other saddle... thinking, "I should be in that other saddle... I'm so weak, that I can't manage the other saddle..."

Yeah, I don't like living with my brain most days either.