Finally Met My Goal

Yeah, it's been such a long time since I actually won one of these that I had nearly forgotten what it felt like. To be fair, at first it was disengagement from my writing cycle as I noticed that it was hurting my marriage, my relationship to my kids, my happiness. I needed to get a better emotional handle on it. And that took a few months. Just when I thought I might be ready to try again, my dog died, and another year of grieving on top of that. 

Then new dog, new perspective, new , new pen name, and a new genre. Or rather a return to my first loved genre, mysteries. I've named my new kick ass girl detective after the beloved first dog and I thought things were on the up and up. But my hip problems reemerged and I was in too much discomfort to write. So time for a hip replacement and more time off to recover.

And before I could walk again, new dog unexpectedly passed. Another round of grieving, and I began to wonder if I was still a writer. Sure, I was writing short stories and plotting out novels. The short stories I could get finished, but the novels? I hadn't finished one of those in over three years, nor had I met a reduced goal for Camp NaNoWriMo.

So yeah, it feels good. And to be clear, I have yet to finish the first draft of this book. But, I have free time for the next two weeks and I reached the halfway point. I know where this book is going. So the first draft will be done by my drop dead date of August 14th. And that will also feel good.

I know many of you who read this blog have other jobs, just like I've picked up contract work over this past year. And I know many of you, are struggling with I am still a writer because my life got crazy? So many blogs, books and gurus out there tell you, if you want it you have to do it. And while I agree in principle with that idea, if you're still writing after so many set backs, then maybe you are still a writer. And you do have what it takes to get it done. 

As I stated at the beginning of the summer, I'm going to be more intentional about this blog. So if you got something out of this post please subscribe.