Monday, May 31, 2010

It's Monday

First and foremost, let us remember the brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms on this soil and abroad. Without them, we wouldn't be here today.

I'd also like to say blogger has been giving me a migraine these last three days and I just can't seem to do anything with it. I can't comment, I can't blog, I can't rearrange my stuff, ARGH! I know this happens every six weeks or so, so it must be my time again.

Thank you so much for all your encouragement these last few days. Without you guys, I'd literally be a sniveling, cowering mess. With the new map I think I've gotten to where I want to be.

I checked out the category I want to work on, but ugh, what a mess! I mean the plot's great, the characters are real, I really like the setting but man, oh man, the writing just sucks. How many 'was' did I find in the first paragraph alone? Now granted, this is the first book I've ever written, literally, but it still resonates with me and I think the ending is perfect. I've got a lot of cleaning up to do, a ton of rewriting, but what else have I got to do?

Wait for the partial to come back that I sent out last week. Okay, I'm trying not to think about it, which is like trying not to think about why Monster Baby is so quiet in the kitchen. I've got to get it out of my mind and CONCENTRATE. I've got to write the next book. Scratch that. I've got to FINISH the next book.

Speaking of which, Gwen from This Is Not My Day Job is holding a Summer Novel Challenge, where we're trying to finish what we say we want to. Sort of like a summer NaNo. Check it out, join up if you want. I think being held accountable will help me. I have nothing to lose, except maybe 50k. And who knows, maybe I can finish two books this summer.

As to blogging, I'm not sure what I'm doing with it. I mean, you guys know I can't stay away even when I say I'm on break, which is where I'm supposed to be right now. It's just hard for me because I don't have normal people to talk to in the 'real' world. And you know how I love to talk. I'm trying to find the right balance so I guess we'll see where it goes. I'm supposed to be building my platform but right now it seems all I'm building is transience. (love that word) So if my posts are rapid fire one week, and none at all the next, sorry.

With school out and Monster Baby around all the time, it's going to be difficult. And I know so many of you have more than one child and quite frankly, I have no idea how you do it. I cried when she graduated the other day but secretly can't wait for her to go to school full time in the fall. Seven whole hours to myself, what will I do????

Anyway, that's where I am, that's what I'm doing. Thanks for sticking around my craziness and putting up with my whining. Have a great holiday.

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Balance and blogging don't go together in my vocabulary! I'm still trying to work all of it in, along with my writing and juggling the real world. I don't know how people with children do it either!! They are like superheroes!!!

Happy Monday and I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day!

Christi Goddard said...

I'm terrible about trying to write and blog at the same time. I write a few paragraphs, I hit refresh on Dashboard and go comment. I write a few paragraphs, I hit refresh. Over and over. On the plus side, I've taken this weekend to get some writing done and I've written 1500 new words since Saturday. It's a start. I've still got 20,000 to go.

Anonymous said...

Monster Baby. That term cracks me up every time! If I stay focused on why I'm blogging, which is to connect with others, learn about writing, and keep my own creative fire burning, I can keep it in balance. It's when I find myself trying to win some popularity contest, when my ego gets involved, that I have to unplug.
No need for apologies if your post are lots or none at all. Taking care of you is admirable in my eyes!

Tess said...

We all just do what we can .. especially during the summer months. I've been static on my blog, but have been able to squeeze in a little blog surfing to my pals blogs (which is my favorite part anyway). It's crazy in the summer because our kiddos are home.

and, good luck on the revisions. I'm right there with you ... lots and lots of revisions. *sigh*

sarahjayne smythe said...

Balance is a hard fought battle and most often lost, at least in my case. I constantly feel like a ball in play, pinging around my life doing damage control. I've got two weeks of school left, and then foot surgery. I'm hoping that me and my lap top become great friends as I pound out the WIP and blog.

I hate to sound stupid, but what is category? And how do I find it? I'm working on short stories for the most part, but maybe that's an option for me.

I'll check out the novel challenge, but maybe that could be Genna and Tony (Pete?) for you. I'd really like that. :)

Ann Best said...

Don't think I've told you how much I love this lighthouse pic at the top of your blog. Lighthouses are one of my daughter's favorite things. Mine too!

Blogging can overwhelm if one isn't careful. I'm finally getting it under control. Writing, and children/child come first.

I've "signed up" for Gwen's challenge, too. A good idea, I think. Anything that motivates to begin and finish.

Memorial Day: childhood memories. I made a few comments about this on my post a few hours ago, if you have a minute to drop by.

Hope you're having a good day. Relax!!!

Tahereh said...

we love you Anne! you're such a bright spot in the blogosphere, and we'd be lesser without you!

i hope you find the exact balance you're looking for!! hang in there, love!

<3333

About Me said...

Anne,
I feel you. I have a difficult time balancing blogging and finding time to write, which is way I blog once a week at the most. I couldn't possibly blog more because I'm already a slow writer (editor) and it's taking me more than a few months longer than I expected to finish editing my novel.

Whine away, we're here to listen.

Sarah Callejo said...

I'm finding all this blog universe a bit overwhelming. It's like hanging above me, reminding me I've got to write the next post. And then I think up something when I can't note it down but forget it by the time I need it.
So I think we all have these crisis. We can moan together.

Lola Sharp said...

Balance? HA!

I'm with you...chasing my tail, trying to catch up. There's never enough time.

Anne Gallagher said...

Jen -- I wish there were more hours in the day. I feel guilty if I don't blog, I feel guilty if I do. I feel guilty if I stop by one blog, and guilty because I can't stop by everyones. It's a quandary.

Christi -- Hey go you! I worked on revisions and OH. MY. GOD. I'm only on page 12. I usually wait to do revisions until I'm done but this stuff is so bad I don't even want to look at it without doing something to it first. You know.

Lynn -- I gave up doing contests awhile ago. I found they were almost the same as querying -- did I win did I win?? And the popularity contests as well. I don't really want 600 followers. I like my friends right now and if they never changed I would be happy.

Tess -- I wish I had the money to have an au pair, just so MB would have someone to do stuff with while I'm on the keyboard. As it is, I've taken to getting up at 5 am even though I don't want to, just so I can get some quiet time.

Sarah Jayne -- I know, I've got to do something with Genna & Tony. I want to do what I talked to you about but I just can't seem to find the time to load everything down into it. You know what I mean. There are just not enough hours in the day.

Ann -- I know, I'm excited to participate in Gwen's challenge. I've been trying to upload all the info on my blog but blogger isn't cooperating. Hopefully in the next few days.

Tahereh -- You are just the most darling girl. And I can't love you any more than I already do. I'd bust wide open.

Crimey -- Whine away, we're here to listen. You're too sweet. And I promise when you want to whine, I'll listen to you.

Sarah -- Oh, I know, don't you hate that, you finally have the greatest blog post ever, while you're in the shower and then by the time you get out POOF it's gone.

Lola -- NEVER enough time!!!!

notesfromnadir said...

If Monster Baby is quiet doesn't that mean she's reading or coloring or something nice like that?

You will write the next book, & it will be a great way to not think about this book being w/ an agent! :)

Bossy Betty said...

Hope you had a good day and Blogger is your buddy again!

Kelsey (Dominique) Ridge said...

I have complete confidence in your ability to whip the writing into shape. :)
Good luck with those partials.

Susan Fields said...

Wow - sounds like you're right where I am with the old, rediscovered wip - love the story, but why on earth did I have to put a "was" in every sentence? It really makes me realize how far I've come, so I guess that's a good thing. And I actually think having more than one child is easier than just one - they keep each other busy, so I don't have to. I hope you had a great holiday!

Rena Jones said...

Enjoy your summer -- kids grow up too fast. And then when they do, they need money for big things -- like college or cars. Ugh.

Christine Danek said...

Oh I'm so with you. I wish my kiddos were going full time in the fall. I only have one going back to preschool 4 days a week for 2 1/2 hours each day. Trouble maker doesn't make the cut so he will be with me until next fall when he starts preschool. Yes I can't wait till they are both in school. Although my hubby will want me to work more. I gotta get my book finished. That's all I want to do.
The blog does take up a lot of time. I'm trying to cut back and like you-- I like to talk to others that are more my age since I don't have one at home.
Good luck and no worries on the blog. I hear ya. Happy writing!

Hannah said...

I think it's time to put down that old wip and start a new one! More experience is gained by writing more books not just rewriting the same one.

And you are not the only one getting overwhelmed with the balance of writing and blogging. I'm just trying to take it a day at a time. I schedule a ton of my posts ahead of time so you can spread out all the times you feel like putting up 10 posts a week.

Keep your spirits high and your pen on that paper. :) We've got your back!

Ed Pilolla said...

you seem to really want to finish composing your book. you really seem to love the prospect of having it, getting it just where and how you want it. i don't know how you moms blog and babysit, but somehow you multi-tasking goddesses do it. you want it. and really, feels like you're on your way to everything you want. the road's always bumpy to where we want to go, i've heard.

Anne Gallagher said...

Lisa -- The last time she was quiet in the kitchen, she had made an ocean and was sailing her little bathtub boats on the kitchen floor.

Betty -- I'm afraid to try it.

Dominique -- Thanks! I need it.

Susan -- I hear you with the two kids, which is why I let the little boy across the street come over to play. Although his parents never reciprocate.

Rena -- Oh, don't say that. College I can handle, cars, no way!

Christine -- Is there some kind of 'playschool' around you? Monster Baby went to one for three years, 3 hours a day. It was a godsend.

Hannah -- You're so sweet for watching my back. Truthfully I don't know what I'm doing anymore. All I know is I have to FINISH something this summer.

Ed -- Aww you're such a lovey. Thanks. My road may be bumpy but at least I've got a map now.

DL Hammons said...

How does anybody get any writing done in the Summer. I mean there's vacations, travel & frolicking in the sun. Geez!!

Come on FALL!!!!

Anne Gallagher said...

DL -- Truth be told, I don't know, I've never done it before but there's always a first time for everything isn't there?

G.~ said...

Ah yes, finishing the novel. I have been futzing with mine for almost two years now and I'm ready to get serious. I've been serious, but now I'm really serious. I have joined a writers group that I am so excited about. Accountability helps. And it helps to see others work also.

As far as the child going to school full time. Paradise. Simply paradise. It's such a roller coaster of a ride having children. You love 'em, you want them out of your hair, you miss them, you want them back home. Uggh. Never ending.

Aww, and then they're being so good and sweet and you don't know why you got so frustrated with them earlier. Until minutes later...you're reminded. ;)

Good luck to you with your novel. I'll be here cheering you on the rest of the way.

Unknown said...

I love you, Anne, because you're so real. I hear you on all fronts, and just wish we lived in the same town and could chat face to face about life's ups and downs. I need a friend like you in my three-dimensional life!

Hang in there, especially until the migraine passes. I get them too -- nothing sucks more.

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Ugh for blogger giving you crap! That's when it's time to step away, which it seems you are doing, so yay! I don't know how people take care of more than one child, either. It totally amazes me.