This week was a productive week in terms of writing. I didn’t do as much with Savannah as I had planned but I was able to get some new poetry written and I have secured an artist to team up with. My friend Matt will be doing the artwork for this new adventure and the really exciting part is that we will be sitting down to start talking about what we both want for this book. I have been writing more poetry this week than usual and I am starting to really enjoy what I am creating. Some of it will need some work and I will be changing some of the language. Other pieces will probably not make it into the book and I am fully aware of it. The goal of this book is to not only showcase poetry but art with it. There is even a chance he and I will create some poetry together. When we sit down to talk about what we want, we both will have a better idea of what to expect from each other.

While taking the next step to start this new book, I am also getting close to the end of Book Six. I have been feeling the pressure to finish this book so I am able to edit and correct the area I feel needs the most work. My goal is to finish the book in the next two weeks, which means I need to start working more on completing it. The big win this week was completing an important scene for the book I have been struggling with. It took a conversation with another author friend in order to see how to make the scene what it needs to be. I learned a lot from my friend and was able to create a better scene and how the book will end. That was a huge relief off my shoulders.

I also am trying to get back on track with my editing of book four. The changes in my life have created complications to my deadlines I have set. It is an issue that I am trying to deal with and it is starting to look as if the release of book four will be delayed a month or more. I want to release the absolutely best book I am capable of and in order to do so means I need to take care of some issues in my personal life first and then I will be able to turn to what I need to do for Savannah’s next book.

There are moments like this where I feel like I do not have enough hours within my day. I have been trying to get back on track with editing and writing through my week and I am still struggling to find the time and energy to do what I need to for my writing. I have been saying for months that COVID ruins everything. This is one of those times I feel it the strongest. Covid has changed how I do my day job as a whole. I am working in a new way and I am trying to find new ways to keep my students engaged. There are no breaks as I had before from a student and I have more responsibility than ever because I am working inside a gen ed classroom instead of the special needs classroom. We are not allowed to change classrooms or move around the school freely as we once were allowed to. All this means I have to be over prepared daily for anything my students can throw at me. I also have to think outside of the box like I have never done before. All of this takes time and energy I would normally not have to use. What I am realizing is that any time I get any form of writing done it is a win. I still have my goals for the week but I am having to adjust them from time to time based on the week I am having and what is happening in my work week. I am finding more grace for myself than I ever have before. I have been working nonstop to change my life and improve it overall. I have been working towards a brighter future, which has forced me to slow down on my writing but not stop completely. The fact that I have had to slow down sucks. There is no other word for it but as the next stage of my life starts in a matter of weeks that means I will be able to find more time to write and edit. I am slowly adjusting to a new way of doing my day job as I do so it means I will start to have more energy as a whole.

So take time if you need it. See all of your progress as a win. Don’t stop no matter how much you want to or feel like giving up. Every step forward is a win. You may have to do as I have done, adjust your goals weekly. Eventually a new balance will be found and you will reach your end goal. It may mean dates have to be pushed back but it is not the end of the world. Until next time.