Week 3: 1.20-1.26.19
This week began with the ending of Monstro Camp Prime, the yearly event put on by the good folks at Steam Crow, Daniel and Dawna Davis. With a lovely helping of volunteers, we all go out into Usery Park Mountains in Mesa and camp for the weekend. Typically, monsters get summoned, songs are sung, and a good deal of mead gets drank.
In fact, all of those things happened.
Sunday, 1.20.19
Return from camp. Tired. Smelly. Inspired.
Monday, 1.21.19
The holiday didn’t affect me too much. I had to work for half the day with my homeschool family. However, I was able to finalize a weekly calendar including student tutoring times and, more importantly, drive time. Because, and this should have been so obvious that if it was an Obvious Stick it would be the size of a redwood. Drive time = No write time.
I can’t write when I drive.
So that’s lost writing time.
And when I finally sat with a calendar and notebook to look at how much time is spent where, I realized I didn’t have as much writing time as I want. So, what do you do from there? How do you make it work?
I don’t have answers. Just more questions.
I never used LiveJournal.
I feel like I JUST missed the boat on that one, but for a guy who’s running a blog because he wants to set out into the world of writing and hoping for people to enjoy reading it, this is a little heartbreaking to hear.
Tuesday, 1.22.19
Nothing of importance.
Wednesday, 1.23.19
Bought beard oil for the first time.
There’s an old joke among writers that I became privy to recently, both published and aspiring, that you make a choice when you become a novelist: you’re either a “hat writer,” “a beard writer,” or a “jacket writer.”
Meaning you either get a funny hat, grow a bushy beard, or wear a jacket that screams, “I write words for a living.”
I seem to be heading towards the middle choice with my beard and since I don’t want my face to operate as sandpaper, I bought beard oil. It cost me $12. Hopefully, it’s worth every penny.
Thursday, 1.24.19
I hit my writing goal again. It’s becoming easier and easier once I sit down and do it. I find what’s coming more naturally to me is the notion that writing is another form of drawing. It took me 20 years of drawing (not very well) to understand the skeleton and bones of a drawing is NOT the drawing. Rather, the means to get to the (hopefully) much better drawing.
I’m letting go of the first draft.
Plus, when I was writing in Starbucks like a madman, I noticed the other patrons at the tables next to me looking at me like something was wrong. Clearly, I’m doing something right.
Hitting writing deadlines also allows for guilt-free website surfing. Like this gallery of old Penguin Book covers and the geometric formula that went into creating them.
Friday, 1.25.19
A day of preparation. First, morning students. Then, oil change. Then, afternoon student. Then, shopping for the arrival of my sister, brother-in-law, nephew, and B-i-L’s brothers.
Because WWE is coming to town for the Royal Rumble this weekend.
I guess wrestling of the professional variety falls into that “guilty pleasure” category, but you know, I’m not ashamed of it. The expression I use when discussing it with folks is, “When wrestling is good, it’s great.” It allows for unique, bizarre, and engaging stories that can make us feel and root for the people we want.
Watching it these last few years has been a sort of case study, “how to do it right,” and, “how to do it wrong.”
Truthfully, WWE does it wrong. A lot. But on those rare nights, when the moon is blue and the wind blows east, when they do get it right there is nothing better.
Saturday, 1.26.19
Too busy enjoying NXT.
Before I’m out for the moment, here’s a piece from David Mack over on Chuck Wendig’s blog, TerribleMinds.com, where he discusses faking it. I’m going to leave you with this before I get out of here to think about how KINGDOM HEARTS III IS COMING OUT IN LESS THAN A DAY.
“What has any of that to do with trying to build a writing career?” Fair enough. I apply the Four Noble Truths this way:
First, the work is going to be hard, and setbacks are inevitable. You don’t have to like the hardship, but you need to accept it.
Second, let go of your expectations and be thankful for whatever success or enjoyment you find along your journey. Not all of us who get into this business will become number-one bestsellers or highly paid rock-star authors. Some of us have to find purpose in telling tales in which we find truth and meaning. Maybe we’ll be lauded after we’re dead. Maybe not. C’est la vie.
Last but not least, be kind to yourself and others. We are all fighting a difficult battle—some of us with our muses, others with health, some with finances, or with any combination of those and other tribulations. Lift one another up. Celebrate one another’s successes, and have compassion for those who are not so blessed by fortune as you have been. Let go of your ego.
Buddhism teaches us that all things and beings are interconnected—which is just another way of saying, “We’re all in this together. Let’s be good to one another and enjoy the ride.” And if we’re lucky, a day will come when we all will make it, and none shall need to fake it. Namaste.
Thanks for reading,
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