After waking up once with Addy and then Rudy D., Ella woke me up around 6:30 a.m. No surprise--I was half-awake. But how do you ignore this little angel, saying "breakfast" over and over again?
Our day consisted of kids watching cartoons while I picked up the house, did two loads of dishes, etc. Then we turned the tv off and played until 11 a.m. Mommy's show--The Price is Right. While I made lunch, I caught glimpses of my show. Anytime there was a car, Plinko, or spinning the wheel, my son called me over, and we watched, cheered, and hugged each other. (It's one of my favorite things we do. Reminds me of watching it with my own mom.)
Normally, we do quiet time after lunch, but we took their dad his lunch. By the time we started quiet time, it was 2 p.m. The twins played in their room while Rudy D. played Wii Sports in the basement. I was super excited to sit down and work, since everyone was content. I'm sharing my testimony soon, so I needed to start that first. I typed up about 5 out of the 9-12 pages and put it aside. Then I got to work on Ch. 3 of SAVING KENTÁN. I only got about 400 words written when I smelled it.
You guessed it. POOP. My nemesis in the Writing Mom world.
(If you're squeamish with poop, skip this paragraph) Not only did it cover both girls' hands and feet, but they'd formed a solid mound on the floor. It looked like a freaking ball of clay they smoothed on the floor. I was furious. But I held it together. I let them know they were both in big trouble and carried them out one at a time, scrubbing them with soap and water before putting them in the bathtub. Then while they played in the bathtub, I set to work on the floor. Ugh. You can imagine. It took 3 separate steps to get the floor clean. Then I cleaned the tracks the girls made in their room. Lastly, I scrubbed the girls, got them dressed, and put away my computer.
This my friends is why I've been in a dry spell. Dry--not because I have nothing to write--instead because I have no time or energy. I haven't worked (subbing or daycare) much lately due to vacation, snow days, house appointments, and sick children (and myself). Even my writing days on Thursdays give me maybe 2 hours. But when I have it, I pour myself into my writing and am thrilled at the results.
At my writing group last night, I shared a section of chapter 1 of SAVING KENTÁN. Their feedback was so wonderful. (It was a first draft, so not perfect) Though they were confused what was happening and how this new world operated, they were mesmerized by the flow of the story and how the characters connected and wanted to know more.
I can't tell you how great it is to hear that. So often I start to doubt my talent and my ambition, but I love writing and grow frustrated when I don't make time for it. After reading a friend's blog about her struggle to be a full time mom/homeschool teacher and writer, I knew I needed to make time for my writing. Even if it's only 20 minutes. Because after I finish, I feel alive in a way that only comes from writing and using my gift.
So here's my real life example of the story behind the "WRITING MOM." :)
I laughed and laughed when you told us your nemesis! I hear you and am right there with you. When we are rich and famous authors we'll have to give out a scholarship to writing moms, ami right?! I'm looking forward to more teasers from your new book :) -dustin
ReplyDeleteOh man, this is too much. :D So classic. I only have 1 and even I find it hard to find the time!
ReplyDeleteI know it's wrong to laugh at another's misfortune, but you have to admit that it is kind of funny. Reminds me of the time my brother and I pooped in the bathtub and our mother came in to find us, ages 3 and 1, pushing the floaters around like they were toy boats. If you notice any poop references sneaking into the manuscript, though, it might be time to take a step back.
ReplyDeleteWill you post excerpts on your blog? That would be fun to read and would give you a great opportunity for feedback.