A Picture I Took By My Bus Stop (I will have to look up the name)

A Picture I Took By My Bus Stop (I will have to look up the name)
I think these are Clematis (but don't quote me!) - This picture was taken by my bus stop

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Well, Well - Did You Miss Me?

Long time no hear. Yes, I'm finally at the keyboard and don't know what to do with myself first: I have a book to finish, stories to submit, reading to catch up on, friends to reacquaint with, closets to purge and a pool that I've yet to close. Aaah! It's clear that I need to find another job but in these desperate times this is not something to joke about. I know that I'm extremely lucky. There are many who would trade places with me but why do I pretend I can do it all? Will I be able to survive my demanding job AND fulfill my dream of being a writer? I'll be honest - I'm not sure.

I was supposed to have been on a cruise or at least getting myself prepared for one, but the weather is not cooperating. Too many storms originating from Cape Verde and potentially making landfall in the Caribbean. In my usual obsessive way, I've read everything there is to know about hurricanes and their effects on cruise ships. I know how, when, and where they originate from, poured over maps and learned out to read them until finally there was nothing else I could do except nix the cruise for this year. I wouldn't be losing any money because I hadn't booked it yet. Well, why not you say?

Lately everything I do is at the last minute. My job is soo consuming that I can't even plan a vacation! Maybe next year? I do have another two weeks of vacation. Maybe I'll take a cruise in November. All is not lost though. I see this setback as a sign that the universe is urging me to finish my book and polish those short stories and SUBMIT them already. Let's face it, I wouldn't have written anything on the cruise; too many distractions. Instead, weather permitting, I am sunning and relaxing in my backyard. As soon as I see a speck of sun, I run out with my bathing suit, sun screen, and all of my technological accoutrements (laptop, my two blackberries, notepads and notebook) and bask in it while I write and read.

I've already gotten some pool time in. Last Friday the pool was absolutely perfect. Yesterday I had about an hour or two before the clouds set in; today it's gotten much cooler but I lasted for about two hours before the wind picked up and the clouds chased me back in. My neighborhors must be laughing at me - everyone else has their pool closed! Only 'moi' still has it opened, but partially covered. You see, I close my pool in stages, thereby maximizing the pool to it's full potential. I don't despair if I can't close it all at once. As long as the chemicals are in and the cover is on, I can rest assured that my son will do the rest of the dismantling (Thank you son!). According to the weather report, the temperature will rise again towards the end of the week and, keeping my fingers crossed, I might be able to go in one last time. I know, I know - it is October but this cold snap was unexpected. The last vacation I had was in March and I am so desperate for some time off, even if it's spent at home. It's been a fruitful time so far. Two weeks ago I submitted two of my stories to an online literary journal and yesterday was spent editing and rereading. I'm extremely happy with the two short pieces that I've recently written. I will be editing these with an eye for submission. And then there's Celeste - my short story/novelette/novel. Celeste refuses to stop nagging me. She wants her story told. This will be her week, I'm certain.

What's keeping your from writing? What are you struggling with? Do you think I'll make it? Anyone have a crystal ball?

11 comments:

  1. I believe we'll make it. Those of us with jobs...well...it'll take a little longer. Mine's coming into season so that means I will have six work days with longer hours. I'm a hairdresser.

    Anyway, my first novel is finished except for the last ten chapters being polished. The second novel is completely in first draft and needs major revisions,and the third novel has a demon and an angel that I never intended to even be in the story and have run amuck.

    Just believe and keep pecking away at your dream.

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  2. Shelly I'm impressed! I'm just trying to finish one novel and you already have three in the works. The hardest part for me is pick up where I left off, especially with a novel. The last time I checked on Celeste it was three months ago and now I feel like I have to get to know her again. Lesson here: start outlining as soon as possible so that I don't waste precious time figuring out what to do next.

    Thanks for your support. It really means a lot to me. Good luck with your busy season. Hope you'll have time to squeeze in some novel-writing.

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  3. Dora Dee! A pleasure to hear from you. I understand. I have so many interruptions that stop me from writing.

    All we can do is to keep plodding away.

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  4. Thank you! Nice to hear from you too. Hope all is well

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  5. Donna I forgot to mention that I cannot access your website on my Blackberry for some reason. I would love to visit your page more often but nowadays I rarely log on with my computer anymore. Do you still have a disclaimer on your webpage? I think this might be the problem.

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  6. Hello Dora! I'm happy to see you back!

    Yes, the universe has postponed that cruise. No more procrastinating! Celeste is waiting, after all! I hear her tapping her toe, arms crossed and looking at the ceiling--agrivated with you.

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  7. Thanks Lorelei. UPDATE: It's day six of my vacation and I've done very well with catching up with my blogging friends, responded to some posts etc., however, not much else has been accomplished. Today I worked on a loose outline for Celeste and that's about it but I do have an excuse, my mom's over (she was only supposed to stay a day and a half) and tomorrow it will be day three. She is going home tomorrow. When she's over, she requires the utmost attention in the form of shopping. I'll spare you the details but I know better women than me have asked, but where does the time go??

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  8. Looks like you have your work cut out for you. Good luck! :-)

    Fickle Cattle
    http://ficklecattle.blogspot.com

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  9. Thank you Fickle. I am now free. She is safely back home. Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll get some writing done.

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  10. Ciao Dora Dee!

    Hai vinto il racconto di Alda Teodorani. You won! Congratulations! If you can contact me at julie.jansen(at)yahoo(dot)com, I'll inform Alda and send you her flash story.

    :)

    Julie

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  11. Thanks Julie! I haven't been feeling well so I've been very neglectful of my blog. Grazie Mille!! Ti mandero' un email. I can't wait!

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