On Finding Time to Write...

I really should be blogging more. I enjoy it and it's a great way to strengthen my writing skills, without any added pressure (beyond whatever I put on myself). But, lately, I've been preoccupied with trying to find the time to write and/or revise a number of book ideas I've had bouncing around in my head, messily brain-stormed on paper, partially outlined and fleshed out, and (one) even a completed rough draft.

The one completed rough draft is for a YA fantasy novel that I started working on about 9 years ago now (embarrassingly enough). Since then, much has changed insofar as the direction I want to take with the story (and, now, I want to turn it into a series - trilogy most likely). And, of course, I found myself inspired to write an entirely different kind of novel (sci-fi/horror). Now there's an internal struggle regarding which to start with (and STICK with!) before moving on to the next project.

Grr...

I'm not the best with time management anyway. Honestly, I suck at it - it's a HUGE weak point for me. So, time has a way of moving far too quickly for me to keep up with my usual lists of things that NEED to get done. And, as any parent can attest to, working a reasonable schedule around the (often chaotic) needs of (multiple) children, can be a challenge of epic proportions (even if you don't have my inherent issues with managing your time).

Arrgh...

Currently, my goal is to update my blog at least weekly, and write/revise 5-10 pages of whichever book I (quickly!) decide to start with per day. A lofty goal? Particularly with 3 kids and another on the way? Maybe. But, I am an optimist. A sarcastic, overly-emotional right now, temperamental optimist. BUT - an optimist just the same.

Why Am I Blogging?

I'm in the process of writing a new book. It has a sci-fi/horror theme, but its main purpose is to speak about the relationship between the majority of mothers and daughters. You know - that love/hate thing that occurs in the majority of same sex parent-child relationships.

It's rare that you hear the terms "mamas girl" or "daddy's boy". Generally speaking, not with all people certainly, parents and children of the same sex tend to have more complicated relationships with one another. So, I felt inspired by that to write something on it.

But, this will be a lengthy project, so I need an outlet to make sure that I'm still writing something, keeping the creative juices flowing in one way or another, but can also just unwind and focus on a different topic every now and then (even if that topic is just silly or funny or sad or controversial).

Also, I've always enjoyed writing in diaries and journals. In fact, among those who know me best, giving me a new diary or journal is a kind of default gift for birthdays or holidays. By doing this journal online, publicly, it also gives me the opportunity to vent or share and perhaps get feedback that a traditional journal on the nightstand near the bed simply cannot provide.

So, here I am. I'm just going to blog about whatever comes to mind; a joke I heard, a story or memory from long ago or recently, something I believe in, something that ticks me off - whatever.