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Juggling. Too much to do and too little time to do it. (Hence the massive catch up post today!)
I feel like the guy at the circus who balances the spinning plates on the tall, skinny rods. More plates are added, spinning and wobbling and whirling about. You have to give each plate repeated, constant attention, to keep them spinning. There’s always someone adding to the forest of spinning, needy responsibilities until they all come crashing down. That’s my week. It’s not atypical, but I’ve been particularly exhausted lately and just crashed and burned.
Leading me to:
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Klutz. I come from a long line of well-meaning, good-humored (thankfully) klutzes. We are not a graceful people. I have come to accept that the harder I try to do something impressive, like cook a fancy meal, something is going to land on the floor. Or an entire chapter will go missing from one of the backups, or for no apparent reason, I’ll trip and stumble IN MY TENNIS SHOES in front of the cute guy in the store. Luckily, I’ve learned to…
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Laugh at myself! If I got upset every time things didn’t go my way, I’d be highly medicated puddle cowering in the dark corner of my closet. I found an older backup of the WIP and found a workable version of MIA chapter (minus the many edits that I agonized over). The dogs had a particularly yummy snack. The cute guy pretended he didn’t see. (‘Would’ve been nicer if he’d offered a hand and helped me pick up the stuff I dropped, but…he obviously wasn’t my Prince Charming, or even remotely human. Seriously, who doesn’t help someone pick up their scattered dignity when it falls at their feet!)
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Moving on! I’ve mopped and cleaned the floor (Yummy snacks didn’t agree with happy puppies. Thank goodness for mini carpet cleaners!)I’ve jumped back into WIP with little residual scaring and minimal loss time.
And who has time for romance when you’re trying to write the next Great American Novel (or controversial sensation. Hey, I’ve got bills to pay! I’ll take what I can get!) while working the Life Sucking Day Job, trying to spring clean, get back in shape, clean up the diet…
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New Beginnings! Every day is an opportunity for a new beginning to your story. Forget the failings or disappointments of yesterday, the words that didn’t get written, the green juice you didn’t drink, the donut you ate and turn the page. It’s a do-over, if you want, or a just-forget-it-ever-happened-because-I-am-the-ultimate-queen-of-denial fresh new direction.
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Ostentatious. I’ve always tried to live by the wise words, if you’re going to mess up, mess up big. And loud. And with sparkles and confetti and a marching band to egg you on! Then, take your licks, face up to the consequences and use it for fodder in your next book, art piece, memoir, or starring walk-on role in Joss Whedon’s next brilliant feature. No experience is wasted, even if it’s just to make sure you never, ever repeat it. But don’t shy away from things that scare you, or make you uncomfortable. Be happy! Be fabulous! Be daring!
Time to take my own advice…
I may have “cheated” with this catch up post, but you know what? I didn’t give up. And that’s what matters to me.
“Never give up! Never surrender!” (from Galaxy Quest)
How are your challenges going?
Pour a cocktail, some wine or beer, or a cup of tea if that’s your process. Write with your inhibitions relaxed, with abandon, joy, anger, and sorrow close to the top, just a sip away. Immerse yourself in the moment, like no one will ever read it but you. Dare to take the path untaken, write the worlds unimagined, say the words you wouldn’t dare say. Be free. Be fearless.
