Liz Moore's Blog: Finding My Way

My main goal for the past few years has been to earn my Bachelor's degree...and I'm happy to say that I achieved that goal in December of 2011. This leaves me free to start 2012 with the intention of putting more time and effort into my writing. I've joined a group of like-minded people to challenge myself to write between five hundred and a thousand words per day, six days a week, and I'm happy to say that my first day of this challenge increased the size of my long-standing WIP by 1295 words. I'm starting strong in the New Year and hope that by January 1, 2013 I can not only say that I was able to stick to the challenge I've set for myself, but also that I was able to share some of my work with the world.

My day job has been cut to half time, but I still have little time or energy to write because I'm taking an intense three-week college course on Education Law and Ethics. I'll have a month between the end of that class and the beginning of the fall semester so I plan to spend that time focusing on my writing.

One of the best benefits of being a writer is that everything we do can be considered research. I'm most reminded of this fact when I get out and do fun things like attending a baseball game. Outdoor events are wonderful ways to soak up atmosphere (we had rain, rainbows, and beautifully cloudy skies), plus I was able to people-watch the crowd while enjoying the game. Sights, sounds, smells, feelings...all these sensory experiences are necessary to a working writer because these are the parts of a story with which the reader will connect.

Writing can be a lot like marriage in that things aren't always easy; especially if one half of the relationship (the author) isn't feeling well. All my good intentions about getting back into the habit of writing went out the window when I came down with a nasty cold after having returned home after my hubby and I celebrated our anniversary.

Now that I'm feeling better, I'm started to feel a inspired again and I've actually managed to get in a little writing. I also feel like one of the ideas of being mulling for several years is finally coming to a point where I can finish up with a draft.

The good thing about having been sick is how happy I am to be able to do anything once I'm well again. The sickness is over...now here's to good health and a wealth of writing.

Hubby and I are on an overnight for our anniversary and I brought along the laptop with the hope that a change of scenery will inspire some writing time. Since our hotel room overlooks Lake Tahoe, and we're having a beautiful stormy afternoon, I think I might just manage to get a little work done this evening/tomorrow.

Every few months, the universe seems to give me a gentle reminder that what I should really be doing is writing. This week's nudge came in the form of an invitation to sell my book at a local library event in the fall; and the same thing happened to me last year. If I had just a little more self-confidence I might actually be able to not only market the book I've already had published, but I might also be working on my current projects in progress.

If I do participate in the library sale, I'll be sure to post that information on my profile for anyone in my local area who might be interested in attending.

For some reason, I always seem motivated to write when I have to go off to do something else - like my day job. I just managed to spend a majority of a Sunday doing nothing but relaxing when I could have used at least a little of that time on the numerous writing projects I have yet to finish.

Since today's the start of a new month, I plan to work myself back into writing for at least an hour or two a day. I'll keep you posted on how well that goes.

Since my novel came out in 2003, I've had little success in getting myself to complete my various writing projects - though I've managed to "win" Nanowrimo a couple times. I really enjoy writing and the universe seems to be sending me signs that I need to get back to work. Hopefully, some of my babies will soon be mature enough to head out into the world.