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Tuesday, November 08, 2005

2x4's really hurt

Well, the 2x4 has been swung and connected with its target more than once in the past week. I almost started to sink into the same slump I experienced right after I returned from the ACFW National Conference in Nashville this past September. Of course, I also came home and lost my full-time job a week after the conference, so that had a lot to do with my lack of motivation in writing.

But, thanks to a dear friend, I got a swift kick in the pants and got rolling again on this book. Then, I went on vacation and fine-tuned the edits from my mentor-friend and published author, Linda, as well as progressed up to chapter 12 on the book. Pretty sure I only had 4 more chapters to go upon returning, but I didn't get very far last week. (sigh)

Too many other things kept distracting me. It's probably because I didn't have a bonafide accountability partner keeping me straight, or it's because I didn't have a daily goal set for myself or by anyone else. But, God really smacked me hard when I realized my mentor is teetering once more on a new contract with a publisher for her latest series. Once she gets it, her time won't be as available. And if I don't utilize the gift she's given me of her time while she's had it, God will take it away.

So, I've made another commitment to get finished, only I've broken it into more manageable pieces. I intend to write at least 1 chapter every day until Friday, then I'll read over the new chapters and get everything to Linda for her edits. Hopefully, she can return them to me within a week, so I can get the edits done and email this manuscript to the editor who's requested it. All before Thanksgiving.

Once I get this book done, I'll format my 2 proposals for the agent who requested my work and get those to him. And I'll put the finishing touches on the proposal for the other editor with the anthology I'm writing with 3 other authors and get that submitted. I'm so close and sitting right on the edge. Just need to get that burst of motivation and determination to finish.

Feel free to give me a kick in the pants or a smack on the back of the head or real solid shake. Even wringing my neck might work, but chocolate's a better motivation. For those who know me on IM, you have free license to bug me and harass to make sure I'm doing what I promised I'd do.

But now? It's time to hit the hay. Maybe the complete rest of my book will come to me in a dream and I'll just have to come back to my computer and pour out the dream onto the screen. Hey! It could happen! :)

6 comments:

Dineen A. Miller said...

Ok, girl, let's get it done. I'm only a few thousand words from the end and plan to finish this week, if possible. A lot going on but I plan to write my heart out Wednesday and Thursday. Friday too if I can work around the kids. Come on! We can do it!
Hugs,
Dineen

Unknown said...

It is hard and some days you just plain ole' don't feel like it, but God rewards the disciplined. Sit down in front of those keys, say a little prayer...and let God take over!

Unknown said...

You can do it, Tiff....keep pushing toward that golden finish line! :)

Cheryl Wyatt said...

You can do it! I'm glad you pushed past the discouragement. Glad you started blogging too. Just what I needed. One more blog addiction. LOL!

Squirrel (Cheryl Wyatt from ACFW)
www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com

Lynette Sowell said...

I hear ya, Tiff! And yes, you can do it. We all need each other--this is such a solitary business. So keep on keepin' on and enjoy the blessing in your mentor while she's able to give you a bit of her time. :)

Anonymous said...

LOL You know... you really need to blog more often...