Writing Cloudy with a Chance of Rain

I have a son-in-law who can juggle three balls, keeping them all in the air at the same time. Big deal. No offense, Tim, but I am a woman. I’ve been juggling many things for many years. Family, Church, Work, School. Now I find myself juggling my writing.

Since my last post I have worked with my editor to revise six chapters of my first book, Breathing on Her Own, worked ahead on the next two chapters, drafted two submissions for upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul books, worked on some revisions for my second novel, and… oh yes, I wrote this blog.

I am not superwoman. I am not super writer. Actually, I’m tired.

Work does not tire me. Writing does not tire me. Juggling my obligations and commitments doesn’t wear me out.

I learned a long time ago that there are three things that make me feel totally exhausted:

·      All the things I leave undone

·      Clutter, and

·      Cold, damp, cloudy weather

I am a list maker. That way I don’t leave things undone.

I am in the process of de-cluttering our house. Going through closets left untouched for twenty years. Donating clothes we haven’t worn for ages to Goodwill. Sending stuff to our daughters they left behind when they got married and “moved out”. Nope, it isn’t the clutter issue leaving me longing for a nap.

It’s the weather. Don’t get me wrong. I love the cool days of autumn. Cool? Yes. Cold, damp, and cloudy? No.

I am discovering the weather has a strange effect on my writing. My most productive days are when it is sunny but not hot. I also do fine when it is stormy. You know, thunder and lightning, rain pounding against the windows? But those days when it is dark and cold, when the rain has stopped and everything is gloomy and damp…then my writing is nothing short of slim and sad. A mere reflection of the weather outside.

The past two days have been gloomy. The week looks to be more of the same. What can I do? Plow ahead? Eat warm soup? Visit a tanning salon? Move?

If this post is rambling or gloomy, I apologize. It’s the weather.

I think I’ll take a nap.