Let It Simmer
Funny thing is, since I decided to do that, I’ve opened it up a couple of times, and I’ve immediately spotted something that needs to be fixed, and admittedly, I fixed what I saw, before I closed it down again – even though I wanted to pick and poke at it.
I feel like I’m in limbo because I had a routine, a way of working on it each day and because I’m not doing that, I don’t feel like I’m being productive. Just the other day I went out in the yard on one of those upper ninety, humid sort of days and trimmed the hedges for about four hours. That didn’t feel as satisfying as writing a good solid paragraph. I baked yeast rolls, two custard pies, and cooked a couple of big meals, and still, the feeling of having wasted time was there. None of those things gave me that same sense of accomplishment.
I started doing some research for the next book, and before an hour was up, I found myself off track, reading about something totally unrelated to that next project. It’s almost as if I’ve lost focus – even if only temporary – all because I know there is more work to do on the current ms, and although I’ve given myself strict instructions to leave it alone, I wonder just how long it can last.
As of today, it’s been two weeks since I worked on my story. TWO WEEKS. That’s all, and I feel like it’s been two months. I’m antsy, twitchy, kind of nervous acting, really, and probably a pain in the butt to be around. My mind isn’t here, it’s there, in the story. I miss my characters, the setting, their world. I can’t wait to get back into it.
What’s the longest stretch of time you’ve gone without touching your manuscript?
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