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!