Sunday, December 9, 2012

Hurricanes, Holidays and Hiatuses

        Life does get in the way.  First there was Hurricane Sandy at the end of  October, and although we were more inconvenienced than hurt, we did have two weeks without power and the internet.

        Then came preparations for Thanksgiving and the shopping and cooking for twenty-five guests on Thursday and various groups of family all the rest of the weekend.

        Finally there was a long awaited adventure trip to Costa Rica with kayaking, whitewater rafting and hiking.  And all the while I kept thinking I should be writing, I should be writing.  And I actually did make some notes for another story in my novel of linked stories.

        But suddenly it is December, and my self-imposed deadline to finish the first draft of the book by the end of the year is looming. I have to face the fact that it is probably not realistic any more.  I still have two stories to write.  I think I know what they will be about, but they are currently floating amorphously on the right side of my brain.

        So I have to ask myself, is it terrible to let self-imposed deadlines slip, or just disappointing?  And if I am disappointed in myself, can I stop the self flagellation and get on with the writing? I guess there is no other choice.  Sit down at the computer, or at the table with notebook and pen, and just get to it.

        And keep the mantra going:  I'm almost there, I'm almost there, I'm almost there.