On Your Mark...

A couple weeks ago, I mentioned I could feel the story immersion coming.  Today, over at queen, I commented that I was very close to that point.  The only thing standing between me and the final Chant revisions is the garden. 

One cannot tell the seasons to stop turning so I can plant my veggies in July instead of this week.

So I have this constant hum running in the back of my mind--not only Chant, but a little of everything, roiling around just below the surface.  When at Viable Paradise, I finished a completely new short story for the first time in years.  With Chant revisions, I delved into focused revisions for the first time in ages.  Now, the dam is set to burst.  Every incomplete project I've neglected is banging on the secret doors of my imagination and demanding to be set free.

I know it's bad when every subject that crosses my mind, any topic I discuss with any person, ends up with me voicing the phrase, "It's kind of like that part of the writing process when..."  However, I am giving nearly equal time to, "It's a bit like karate because..."

And I recognize, too, that I'm more than willing to welcome that obsessive state of mind in order to avoid thinking overly much about what was happening this time last year.  Dev and I are talking about it, we're keeping the communication open, but I'm filling my spare moments with all sorts of stuff to keep my mind from wandering into places I don't want poked.

So I'm going to ride with it, and take the opportunity to re-up on my paying-the-dues part of being a writer.  But I am planning to replace "butt in the chair" with "body in the hammock."  As soon as I finish planting the garden.  And the new trees.  And organizing for the garage sale.

Okay, maybe I'll let the garage sale slide.

Viable Paradise!

You have four weeks to prepare and submit your submission for Viable Paradise! 

My primary post about Viable Paradise is here, and the post includes links to posts from some of my VPXV classmates, and their posts include links to more.

Still wondering if you're "good enough" to even bother applying?  I played that wondering game for many years.  But here's the truth: the piece of writing I submitted last year to VP was written many years ago.  My insecurities (and, frankly, the youthful belief there would always be "next year") rejected me, preventing VP from ever getting the chance.

Don't do what I did.  Don't press the hold button on your writing development because you feel more comfortable wondering than risking. 

Questions? Ask 'em here or email 'em my way.