Writing in May

Hey Guys,

I thought I check in with all of you. It’s been awhile!

I wish I had a fantastic writing post to bring you today, but I don’t…and I feel so bad about that. May has gotten the best of me. Busy. Busy. And More Busy.

But I can give you an update about what I’ve been up to, chat for a while if you care to stay, because that’s all I’ve got right now! 🙂

The last few weeks have been crazy. If you have kids, you know that May is like insane!! Spring sports, award ceremonies, and end of the year celebrations are in full swing. This year I have a graduating senior too and it’s enough to make my head spin. I fluctuate every day between where has all the time gone (*sniff, sniff), and oh my gosh I have a graduation party to plan! One minute I’m looking through my daughter’s baby pictures and another I’m helping her select college courses! But there have also been track meets to watch, both kids to cheer on, and senior ball gowns to shop for. Oh and shoes and jewelry, and …well, you get the idea. But I’ll be posting again on all the graduation festivities, I’m sure—so stay tuned.

But there has also been some writing going on—very sporadic writing. One day I write nothing, and another I write 5,000 words. Seriously, that’s how it’s been around here. Consistency is definitely not key this month. But I am making progress on this draft, little by little. I’ve stalled for the time being at 35,000 words though. I wanted to get to 65,000 by the end of May, but as you can see, I may have to alter that writing goal. Or—I could give up sleep for the remainder of the month. Has anyone ever survived on no sleep for 14 days? Have they drafted the rest of a middle grade sequel that way? Maybe I can be the first.

I am super sure that I’m not the only writer struggling though this month. But I am here to tell you that I can relate to the head spinning you’re probably feeling. Sure your obligations may be different than mine, but they’re still obligations. Sometimes life can get in the way of writing. So here’s what I do…

I try not to get frustrated that I can’t write consistently—because I just can’t. Instead, I realize that one day I won’t have these same responsibilities (like when the kids are away at college) and so I stay grateful that I have track meets to watch, grad parties to plan, and late night talks with my kids. That time will be full of writing one day, but not today. Today it’s full of the life I lead right now…full of crazy kids stuff that may inspire a story or two one day! For now though I’ll still keep writing, but when months like May happen, I won’t get frustrated. I’ll realize, it is what it is and enjoy the writing break. We all need one of those once in a while anyway.

So for the remainder of the month, I’ll be doing some freelance writing work, some of my own writing work, some grad party planning, and more track meet watching—and cheering! I’ll be trying to make our yard beautiful for senior ball pictures (yikes!) and even get some workouts in. I’ll try to check in again next week too because writing friends need to chat once in a while, right? Even when it’s a month like May!

Be happy, guys…and have a great week! Oh and if you feel like it, leave a comment or two. Even in May I have time to click on those. 🙂