Writing and the moon

I have not posted in many moons and thought today would be the day to post. Since I last posted I completed book chapters and am waiting for the publishers to move us to the next steps.  Working on a book has been challenging, mind blowing, and absolutely amazing.

I am very thankful for my mentor, Sophia Dziegielewski, who included me in this process.  I learned so much and I learned that I am a pretty good writer—even when I am tired and when I don’t think I can do it.  I learned that I can push myself.  Push myself to completion—like I did with the chapters some nights.  I learned I can lose a little sleep and that I can get a lot done in a quiet hour or two.  The feeling of completion is so worth it. And, sleep and rest can be rewarding for a job completed.

I found that after writing these chapters I was faster with other work and professional activities-especially grading, class preparation, and letter and memo writing.  I’ve also felt more confident about my completed work-I am not saying my best work or my inspired work, but my completed work.

Getting started, getting past those hours, days, weeks, and months of feeling like it won’t be good enough, like it will be a waste of time- that is the hardest and the worst. Being in the zone is the best.  The zone of being in the present and just moving along and doing the thing you are doing and then the next thing, and then the next thing-until you get things done, and move on to the next thing after the thing you just did.

There is lots of advice out there about writing and practice and taking on new projects. And, many of us have waited for the muse to come, for the stars and moon to be aligned or to draw the right tarot or architype card. There is something to be said for befriending the muse and the sun and stars and fate. I hope everyone has a place and rituals for their crafts.  But, you really just need to get started.  Give yourself about 25 minutes to get in the zone (Pomodoro method—google it-it works for me) and then remember it is going to get hard again. Take a break and give yourself another 25 minutes, tell people no, when they want you to do things that are  stupid for you, and tell yourself no, when the stupid thoughts and feeling come.  And, remember that your best work is your completed work.

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