Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Returning to Normal

I am so excited to be able to write again, I can't begin to tell you.

For those of you who ask, "how do you know you're a writer?" Today is one of those days I can tell you very enthusiastically that you "just know."

The past month I've had very few thoughts I could call my own. As they relate to the day job, they have been organized and clear and focused. Then the deadline ends and you feel like someone pulled the plug. Suddenly your brain goes blank and the simplest of things feels overcomplicated. Answers you know readily have traveled to a different planet. Grasping for a life preserver, I started over with Cinda's story, which has been waiting patiently for me, and discovered my creative side jumping up and down screaming "yay!"

"Yay." Not, "Oh gee, another job to do."

And the ideas are coming through fast and furious. Granted, the story has a direction and I left it at least 2/3 done, but the chapters still have to be written. Don't get me wrong, it is absolutely a job, work. The difference is in the way I feel about it.

The fatigue of the recently completed deadline lingers, but the excitement of doing something I love buoys me up. Something that brings so much joy, something I've worked hard to do well, something others have rewarded me for doing well (did I mention I won an award from Writer's Digest? Did I? Did you know I won an award from Writer's Digest?), this is something you "know" you were meant to do.

I'm looking forward to the Chicago Spring Fling Writer's Conference in a couple of weeks. If you're in the Chicago area, stop in on Saturday for the book signing. I'll be there, along with Mary Balogh (one of my faves! I'm so excited to meet her!), Simone Elkeles, Kristan Higgins, Joelle Charbonneau and more than I can name here (but if you want to know who else, you can visit this link for the full list -Spring Fling Book Signing). It starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 26 at the Marriott by the Sears Center (Hoffman Estates).

2 comments:

  1. I can tell by the excitement in this post that you are ready to roll. I didn't realize the difference until I remembered how down you seemed a couple of weeks ago when you knew you had to put writing aside for a couple of weeks. Maybe it turned into a good thing as you certainly seem enthusiastic now. Congratulations on your award too. That is just awesome. You are a good writer and I can't wait for the day when you "hit the big time." You are every bit as good as those seasoned writers. Your name just isn't as famous - YET!

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    1. Thanks, Mario's mom! I have an appointment with St Martins Press at the end of the month. Wouldn't hold mt breath that they'll give me a contract, but right now...anything can happen!

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