It has been two years and two months to the day from my last update on The Crimson Rose. I can’t even blame major life events on the delay. No, it was all me and some major rut I was in for far too long.

I don’t really know why I stopped writing to begin with. Sure, I can say no inspiration or even desire to write, but I just think that it was just easy not to do it. One of my big issues is I can get distracted easily, which is why I can’t write at home. Between TV, computer, and just a phone in general keep me side tracked. Add in a pet and my dad, who needs to check in on said pet constantly, I never had a space to focus.

Before, I would write at work during my lunch break. 45 minutes to unwind and let creativity flow worked really well for me….. until it didn’t. I could never enjoy my lunches because people would constantly ask questions or ask for help with things, and I was in a cycle of frustration and burned out for a long time. Luckily, my boss allowed me to take lunch in a room that is rarely used, so I could my break without having to constantly tell people I’m on lunch ask so and so.

Not long after something happened, a co-worker asked how my book was going. Then, a few days later, another asked. Talking about it made me realize just how close I was to finishing, well, at least the first draft. So, with a quiet space, I got to writing, and things just began to flow better than they had in a long time.

One day, someone was doing work in the room I used for lunch, and after some time, they finally asked what I was writing. Since then, they have become my own personal cheerleader, helping to keep me motivated and finish this longer than necessary project.

All of this is just a really long-winded way of saying it’s done. At least the first draft. I have a large portion already typed up and mostly proofread, so it won’t be as daunting to do. It’s not as long as I wanted it, but I’m sure in the edits, I’ll find some inspiration to extend things. Right now, though, I feel a weight has been lifted. I almost squealed when I realized what I’d done, which anyone who knows me knows I’m not a squealer.

I’m sure I’ll never be happy with it, but that’s just part of my personality. What matters is I did it, and that’s a huge step in the right direction.