A blog update (that's way past due)

"Hello?"

*Peeks out from behind computer*

"It's me... I'm alive!"

I'm beyond past due with keeping this blog up to date.  In fact, I'm so far behind, I don't even know what to say.  I could throw out the usual "it's been crazy" and "the kids keep us so busy" lines (which are true, of course), but that would be copping out, and I don't want to do that.

The more time that has gone by, the less I've known what to say.  From a writing standpoint, I'm in a tea cup.  You know, those spinning tea cup rides at amusement parks, that go round and round until you're dizzy and can barely hold down your lunch?  Well that's me.  I received a critique that threw me for a loop a while back (regarding the beginning of ILYU) and to put it bluntly, I shut down.  I know that wasn't the right thing to do, but my survival skills took over at that point, and that's what I did.

After weeks of sulking (yes I know, that's a long time) and Lovemuffin telling me I couldn't quit (I am hanging my head telling you this right now), I went back and re-did the beginning.  I'm happy with the change, and think the critique was probably something I needed to hear, but it still hurt.  So after sulking and take my sweet time fixing things, I stopped working for a while.  Procrastination set in, and I just.  Stopped.  Writing.  

Looking back, I think I needed to take a break.  I needed life with my family to be my life for a while, to get hold of my priorities and realize that nothing in the writing world happens in a day, which was hard, because I have no patience.  (I'm working on that.)  I stayed busy by keeping everything going on the home front.  

After a while I got over my shock/horror, and went back over the ol' MS with a fine-toothed comb.  I am happy to report that I'll be sending out a few synopsises by the beginning of June via snail mail (something I've found is more time consuming than email, because there's more to send with actual paper queries) and hopefully something will come out of it.  We'll see.

A few months ago I had some strange scenes and things come to mind, in dreams and ideas that showed up pretty much out of the blue.  I didn't think much of them, but made sure to write it all down so I wouldn't forget.  The past few weeks those ideas have been coming at me more consistently, and it seems as though the next thing I'll be working on is a YA project, which is shocking, because I never thought I'd write anything for young adults.  

My kids are my guinea pigs with this current project.  The more I write, the more I want it to be something they can read, something they can enjoy, since I've been asked countless times over the past year why I wouldn't let them read ILYU.  Who knows what will come out of this latest idea, or if it will ever amount to anything beyond just a story to read to my girls.  But I thought I'd put everything out on the table for my readers (if you're still out there...), so there it is.

I hope everyone is doing well, and to you fellow writers out there, I wish you days filled with inspiration and dedication, because without both, nothing can be accomplished.  I can't explain how much respect I have for writers, whether they write for kids, young adults, or beyond.  The time and sweat involved in such projects is immense, and I feel blessed to have seen this side of it - I appreciate books so much more now than I did.

I plan on being on here more often, but am not going to let the stress of posting so often (to keep up with the expectations I set for myself) control when I do.  I miss twitter and will ease back into that shortly as well, when I can manage my time a little better after the kids get out of  school.  Can't wait to check out all the blogs and see what's been going on with everyone. 

Until next time,

Me =)




7 comments:

Anne Gallagher said...

Welcome back! I have been wondering where you'd gotten to. And there's no need to apologize. We've all been through it before. Bad critiques make me crazy as well. I'm sorry you had to go through that, but if you made the changes and feel better for it, then it was a good critique after all. Good luck with your snail mail synopsis. I'm in query mode too. I'm still in e-mail phase though. Take care, and write again soon.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I've spent the better part of three weeks on a mental break from writing (and speaking and promoting...) and sometimes we need it! It's okay to take a break - just don't stop.

Travener said...

Hi again! My own blogging has slowed a bit, what with little going on with writing/querying other than waiting, waiting, waiting. And I completely understand the whole "the family's been sucking up all my time and driving me crazy" thing.

Anita said...

Hi Jessica...I didn't know you were human! :)

But what I do know is that you are a talented writer. I'm in your corner for however long it takes, and I'll be in line to buy your book!

(The month of May is rough, isn't it! It's an end of the season celebration, recital, game, party, etc. or a wedding or graduation. And everthing needs a donation or gift which means a trip to the store, or needs your attendance! Whew! Summer is coming!)

Jessica L. Brooks (coffeelvnmom) said...

Hi guys! Thanks for the comments! Thanks so much for the support, it means so much! I definitely learned from the critique, just need to learn not to take them so personally. Easier said than done. The break has made a world of difference in my writing. If had known how much better I'd feel afterwards, I probably would have done it much sooner!;)

Piedmont Writer, good luck to your queries as well. I hope you hear back from them all! (Nothing is worse than no response.)

L. Diane, I hope the break has sent lots of great ideas and inspiration your way!

Travener, waiting is the worst. I wish you lots of luck and a great result in the end:)

Anita, I didn't know I was human either! Isn't it funny how as moms that's something we tend to forget?;) And you're right, this time of year is crazy, always something going on, and of course tons of reasons to spend money!

Josie said...

Yup. Sometimes this crazy thing called life demands that we creative types actually emerge from our reclusive, all encompassing world of writing and take part in life. Happens to me all the time. I can juggle kids, family, PTA, hubby, writing for a while and then exhaustion hits and I stop. Completely. So I'm glad you took a time out to take care of YOU! Welcome back!

Jennifer Shirk said...

Nice to have you back! Everyone needs a break now and again. :)