That title's a bit of a misnomer. It's not that I haven't been writing. I just haven't been writing on my blog. Not that I've forgotten to...every week I think, I really should write about something. But then I pick up another Writer's Digest how-to book and set the taunting Macbook aside.
Oops.
This weekend I was out with some friends, and a friend that I haven't seen in a while said, "Hey, I've been following your blog." And my first thought was, People actually read that? My next thought was guilt for having ignored Fictiffous for so long, as if we had this great fling that inexplicably fizzled out. (I know what you're thinking...two months equals fizzled out? But in the land of blogdom, two months might as well be an eternity. Interest is so ephemeral.)
The problem isn't that I haven't been writing enough. It's that I've actually been writing too much. I'm already over 20,000 words into the new draft of my book, which is pretty good, considering I really only hunkered down to start the rewrite a couple weeks ago. And work a full-time job for which I spend at least eight hours a week commuting. And require no less than nine hours of sleep to function. And take care of a toddler alone most nights.
The rewrite's been a complete one so far. I haven't kept any of the original scenes. Not a one.
The story I'm writing now barely resembles the one I wrote before. I've eliminated entire plotlines and wiped several characters completely out of existence, while creating others out of thin air. I'm basically playing God with these poor characters, who are forced to hang on my every word to see where life will take them next.
My deadline is the end of May. Do I have an agent already? Haven't attempted yet. The deadline is self-imposed. If I don't set a deadline, this baby's not getting rewritten. Birthday parties and pay-cable TV are just too enticing. Without discipline, I'll spend my post-toddler evenings parked in front of the boob tube or sipping lemon drop martinis. I've had to make spending QT with the Macbook my priority.
But Fictiffous, I've missed you...can we give it another shot?
TJ
Yes people read your blog! I was so excited to see I had your blog in my morning emails today! I opened it first:) im so glad you are rewriting your novel because I know it's something you have thought about. I know it will be fabulous!....just don't forget about those lemon drop martinis as well...
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