Instead...

One of my favorite weekend pastimes is writing fiction.

This weekend, after coming off an intense mental workout where work writing was concerned, I gave my mind a break.

So instead of writing fiction, I chose to

* Read a book and a half

* Get a badly needed trim for my hair

* Format a book

* Watch an Asian drama with Rebekah

* Catch up on some miscellaneous marketing for WriteOn Joliet

* Catch up on some miscellaneous (non-writing) work for the BryonySeries with Rebekah

* Walk and work out

* Run a few errands

* Take a ride to New Lenox with Daniel for video, photos, and a couple quick interviews

* Read through some of last week's writing for two novels in progress (because I couldn't stay away completely, ha ha).

What about you? How was your weekend?

Does It Count as Writing if You Don't Write a Word?

So this weekend I did "real" work, babysat one of my granddaughters, went to dinner a week late with Rebekah for our shared feast day, and caught up on some marketing.

I did not actively work on Before the Blood in terms of actual writing, not because I was busy (although I was), but because I was agonizing over a major plot element that didn't quite line up while I did the other stuff. And it took me most of the weekend to figure it out.

What do you think? Does that count as writing?

Staying the Course

Although it's often frustrating finding enough time to work on my fiction projects (and I had to stop far too soon on Saturday for a work-related project), and I feel progress is slower than I wish, I'm quite encouraged by the amount I'm able to accomplish in my thirty-minute increments (most mornings).

These short bursts sharpen my focus, whether it's self-editing, honing in on a character description or scene, or filling in sections of the current chapter.

Although I love the increasingly rarer opportunities for spending many long hours composing, I'm nevertheless amazed at what I can do these tiny amounts of time.

During the in-between times, when I'm contemplating rather than actively writing, I'm able to mentally structure, a good antidote to writer's block.

This morning's surprise: I'm farther along in Henry's seventh chapter in Before the Blood than I previously thought. With hopeful stance and fingers crossed, I'm looking to finish it up within the week.

Anyway, these are my musings this Monday morning. Enjoy the day, vampire fans! :)