I’ve attended many different types of writing conferences in the last several years.  I suppose, like many others, I was looking for the “magic” solution about how to write.  That magic solution is similar to the one that works for weight loss, grading student papers, etc.  News flash:  it doesn’t exist.  My elusive search has also involved reading myriad self-help articles and books, eliciting advice from others and many things in between.  News flash:  there is no one definitive answer.  News flash:  it’s time to put up or shut up.

Many people have told me to take baby steps in order to get things done.  I’ve never been a baby steps kind of person.  I’m an all or nothing kind of person.  While that isn’t always the smartest philosophy, it’s worked fairly well.  However, it leaves a fair amount of wiggle room for procrastination.  Okay, it leaves an enormous amount of wiggle room for procrastination.  Therefore, I am trying to take baby steps.

Summer is fast approaching, thankfully.  At this time of the school year I find myself exhausted, spent both physically and emotionally.  My mind and body scream for therapeutic water therapy.  And I am very lucky to be looking forward to time spent at my beloved lake rental and also visiting my boyfriend at his lake rental in Maine.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed for decent weather this summer so I may maximize my time in the water.

But I also know that it’s time to complete the rough draft of my mystery novel once and for all.  I’ve been working on it far too long.  I know where it’s going, now it’s time to get it there.  When the draft is finished and I receive feedback on it, then it’s time to pitch it for publication.  Based on what I have read and currently read, I believe my writing is publishable.  There is certainly a great deal out there that is less well written.  But I will pursue a traditional publishing route and that makes it more challenging.  That’s fine; I’ve never been one to back down from a challenge.