Making the Most of a Blue Sky Day!
This puppy, this day for me as a writer started out as a challenge. Where to go with a current draft that I’m working on, the book I’m seeking representation for, and all the other voices in my head telling me I should do this, I should’ve done this, stirring up doubt and a ton of confusion! Sometimes, those block head days are just the ones that tell me I need to get up, look around and move on. Pick my head up and look out the window. Go downstairs and grab a handful of cashews. Wash the dishes, ride my bike.
Yesterday, the skies were a bright blue and temps soared to 67 degrees here in Coastal NC! Another blue sky day! They are not as rare as they were when I lived in CT in the middle of January. Mornings at 6:45, my dog walk was a brisk 27 and cloudy. But that warm NC sun rose, and everything shifted. But then I went back to my writing and found myself lost in my own thoughts. A dangerous place for me in that overpopulated brain of mine. I asked myself, ‘where am I going with this?’ OR ‘does this story have a short or long life? I torture myself sometimes.
And then, it came to me–that open window, the oversized golden puppy staring at me from the bed. Move a muscle, change a thought. So, I treated myself. And even though I may not have found the exact answer to my writing dilemma, Wrigley made a major find. One very spiky pine cone, a fave–don’t know how he holds that thing in his mouth, honestly. Those spikes have to hurt. But. It made him happy, and so it did the same for me. We sat there, on that bench with the sky, the birds (a beautiful white heron spread her wings and flew above us), the soft breeze and that warm sun overhead. Spring will be here…hopefully soon!
And words, story, ideas were definitely in bloom. By the time I was back upstairs at my desk, a solution to my icky, cranky feeling of being stuck had already landed in my brain. Further evidence, a dog, a leash, a pine cone, and two walking feet of my own are great tools to get my head back on straight!
12 thoughts on “Moving Along, Finding my Way”
Welcome back. I wondered where you’d gone to. Good thing for Facebook. I’m on my second book but it’s easier writing then what you’re doing I think. Pete & Jen got me a subscription to Storyworth two years ago and I liked it so much I decided to do a volume two. Every once in a while they send me a prompt I don’t like so I have to think of a different one. That’s when this old brain of mine tends to freeze up. But eventually it thaws enough to get something fairly decent on paper. Keep these stories coming.
Thank you, kind sir!! I miss you! I’d fallen off the blogosphere, after a friend and mentor had told me in his very deep voice,”You need to cut it out, and get your books published!” Well, as you can see I’ve done neither! Now, I’m being encouraged to get back at it, as I do have a completed manuscript (another one! ) and want to see this one actually make it. I am so glad your kids see the writer in you. I need to get back to reading your work too! It makes me laugh to think you’d taught math all those years and had all that great writing inside you! We’ll have to connect around our longer work!
Well, I certainly don’t know about “great” writing. But I do find it to be a very enjoyable form of self expression. It forces me to exercise that wad of gray matter between my ears!
Is your work more appropriate for adolescents or a wider audience?
Oh, it’s totally middle grade fiction, the story of a girl who lives in a world of befores and afters and is trying to negotiate the changes and chaos that surrounds her after her mom dies. There are boy crushes, fashion changes and a pair of bullies that tangle her up and make her behave in a way that she ultimately regrets. It’s been a long road for me, one of belief and doubt, but finally I am forcing myself to dismiss all that and go for it! Who knows? Anything is possible! (Well, maybe not the lottery!! lol.)
Brava, Gael! Keep at it! Xo
Thank you, Anita! As you well know, I treasure your thoughts when it comes to life and the work!
Gael as I read your words I can see the gift you gave my daughter all those years ago. She is truly gifted with words. Enough so that she brought all her close family to tears as she got married and gave us words from her hear and a gift that special day. You have given so many kids this beautiful gift over the years. Aubrey Daniels is a Human Resources manager headed to Director this year. She will have her Masters in counseling with her horses next December. We are proud of her but those words she can write they so clearly convey her love and heart, they are the gift. Thank you for giving her love of words. She has done well so far with it. You are a true treasure.
Oh, Tara! I’m so happy to hear about you and that wonderful Aubrey Daniels! Just loved my time with her! She was always so full of life and stories! My teaching life went by so quickly, now looking back on it. It was a dream job! And now, those little voices…and some not so little, are still chatting with me in my brain. My next hope is to get my stories out there in the world! Writing and this crazy dog of mine along with my crazy husband keep my days pretty full here! Thank you again for your kind words. I’ll never forget you guys!
Good to see you writing, my friend! Good luck on the blog…you were an amazing teacher and I’ve learned so much from you over the years. 💚💚
Gina! I so loved working alongside you too! Learned a lot from you as well. Miss you, hope all’s well at SHS! Hugs to everyone there! ❤️
So happy to see what you’re up to. Have been waiting for your first book. Love you and Tom both.
It’s been a long haul, Theresa. Always putting my teaching ahead of the writing work. But now, I have lots more time and that gives me much more focus! Life happens. Hoping my book can happen too. Love right back to you and your girls!
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