The End of Summer

In a town with year-round school, this week saw the end of summer vacation. When I had children at home, this was such a hectic time; clothes shopping, backpacks, lunch boxes, school supplies. With the deterioration of our school budgets, we also added tissues, paper towels, and paper for the classroom.

For everything, there is a time and a season, and my days of room mother, field trip chaperone, classroom helper, scout leader, etc. are done.

Just like cycles in your life, your writing can go through cycles. Very active thousand word days and then a week of nothing. Just you staring at the white screen and blinking cursor. A week when your writing sings and days you just know it sucks and no one can tell you any differently.

Like a raft on a stream, learn to go with the flow. Busy days may mean little writing, but lots of errands today could free up the rest of the week for writing. A slow day of little words on paper could be your muse brainstorming the next big scene. A frantic day with 20 kindergartners at the zoo will make you appreciate the four free, precious hours you have tomorrow.

Don't waste your writing time wishing you had more, use every minute you do have. Waiting for the pasta water to boil. In the carpool lane at school. Over your morning coffee. Stretch every moment.

Don’t waste your time with your significant other, children, or grandchildren, enjoy every moment, savor them, store them up for when you are knee-deep in revisions, not getting a scene right, or sure your GMC is non-existent. Those are the moments you drag out those happy thoughts and rejoice on ALL your blessings.