Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Back on the wagon?

My son came home from school one day and said, "Hey Mom, guess what?"

I (like a good mom) said, "What?"

He smiled (thank heavens he's utilizing all those dollars spent at the orthodontist's office). "I have A.D.D.O.S."

"What?" I said, again. I leaned in and used more energy to focus on his words. Maybe my ears needing cleaning or maybe he needed speech therapy, but I couldn't understand what he said.

He used his hands to empasize his words. He said, "I have A.D.D.O.S." He paused dramatically and then continued, "Attention Deficit Disor-" His eyes shifted to the window next to me as he said, "OH SHINY!"

Since I'm slow, he had to explain it to me. But, once I got it, I laughed. It was funny...

Today, I realize I must have A.D.D.O.S. syndrome, because I've been terribly distracted from the writing process. My goal is to be a published (mainstream) author, and yet, what have I been writing lately? Well, I've mostly been writing my name as I've signed various pieces of paperwork for the kids' school stuff, writing my name on checks as I've paid bills, and writing my name as I've volunteered myself to do things for other people.

I need to refocus and climb back on the wagon. I've clearly fallen off it. I'm amazed at how many moms still find the time to write when there are so many other responsibilties to take care of as well. And, for those of us who also work a job to bring in an income (besides writing)... well, we need more hours in the day! Or, a personal chef and a maid and a taxi service.

2 comments:

  1. I am so happy to have found your blog! I feel the same way, yet motivated to write (most of the time) I keep on going to all the distractions in and around the home. Even the cats' presence takes me away...go figure...and even though I am retired (for now) each day has gone by with not much writing down on the page, or on the screen.

    It is quite sad, coming from a person who once had so much discipline... And now, with the summer around the corner, I wonder how I will ever get down to producing more writing. Fortunately, I do write a monthly column in the local news paper...at least, forcing me to sit down and work a while. Anyhow I am glad to see that I am not the only one and I'll keep you posted if I ever find a solution.

    Happy writing days!
    Nancy :)

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  2. Hey Nancy! Thanks for your comment. Right now, what's working for me is this:
    1. Get out of bed (ha)
    2. Grab "Fire in the Fiction" by Donald Maass
    3. Walk & Read on the treadmill for thirty minutes. (I hate exercising.)
    4. By the time thirty minutes are up, I'm inspired by the book to go and write. He has awesome practical tools to get me writing.
    5. I sit down and attempt to pound out 2000 words before allowing myself to do other things. Of course, this doesn't always work out perfectly. But, it's been a huge motivator lately.

    Read a great book about writing, and maybe you will find your motivation. :)

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