Crazy Summer Just Got Crazier

This summer has been marked by my son's 5th birthday, our first family trip to Disneyland, two week-long visits from two different sets of in-laws, and a terrible cold that turned into a bad sinus infection, in addition to a myriad of other birthday parties and baby showers. Now, I have a scratched cornea. Four corneal abrasions, as a matter of fact.

After getting a prescription for eye drops that made the pain worse, I got a prescription for an eye ointment that seems to be doing the trick. Except for the fact that it's a little messy. And except for the fact that it's kind of hard to see through a thick film of goop in my eye.

At least it's better than yesterday when I couldn't even bare to look at the computer screen in my office with all of the other lights turned off, because the glow from my computer terminal was too bright. I could't even read a book! Talk about frustrating!

So, I hope to get back on track reading and editing my own books soon. Or at least get back to reading my paperback version of "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer. Geesh! How much more can I take this summer anyway!

Trying to Get Back on Track

Oh, man. It's been another two weeks again since I've stopped by here. It's been a busy couple of weeks and I'm trying to get back on track.

So, here I am, checking in on the blog ... and yawning, because I'm all ready for bed. But I need to keep reading/editing my first novel so I can pass it on to my next reader and do my first edit on my second book.

But here's my latest writing dilemma: In my first book, I have a character that I love, love, love, but I think I might have to cut her out. All she does is add a little bit of color. She doesn't move the plot forward or really contribute in any way, so I have a growing feeling that I need to cut her out. I don't want to, but I think it has to be done. I'll miss Jillian.

Burn-Out

During the past month that I've ignored my blog, I've been sick from a cold that started to get better until it got much worse. It turned into a sinus infection that needed two rounds of antibiotics to kill it. There were many days and nights where I felt better lying down than sitting upright in front of my computer distracted by all the snot in my head and the non-stop coughing.

But really, if I'm truly honest, I've been a little burnt out on writing. Maybe it's because I write really tough legal stories all day at work, so I want to unwind when I get home and lose myself in another writer's story. I have read a lot of good books lately. Maybe it's because I've been writing and editing the same two novels for more than a year (and maybe more than two years for the first one; I can't remember).

I want to start working on something new and fun. Maybe the story I started last year that's only about three pages long, but got a great response at the San Diego State Writers Conference. Maybe explore one of the story ideas I've scribbled into the little journal I keep in my purse.

I don't know.

The point is, I need to get on the ball again. I should finish writing something so I can justify moving on to something new.

So, here's my new motivation: I'm going to finish my last edit on the first book (my adult novel) and do at least one edit on my second book (my young adult project) so I can submit them to agents or editors to read prior to the SDSU Writers Conference in January and give me feedback at the conference. Yes, I have to pay for those consultations, but at least I know they'll read it, since they're being paid. They can't just glance at a few pages and send me a form letter rejecting my manuscript.

OK, time to get motivated!