How are you doing with The Artists’ Way this time around?
I’m finding it a bit tough to stay organized this month. Going to RWA National always throws my game a bit, but this year, things are even more disheveled. I think maybe that’s because I finished Zoë’s first book right before I left, then came home to promote WHISPER KISS and REBEL. Then my editor and I have been playing with the schedule, pushing deadlines around, because she’s booked for maternity leave and wants to ensure she gets the Dragonfire books edited on time. All good, but there seem to be a lot of proverbial balls in the air. Plus it’s hot and my brain doesn’t work so well in steamy weather. My best August trick is canning peaches, not juggling variables and finding creative solutions!
But, I’m doing my daily pages. Yay! I always have trouble fitting in the artist date, but this week, I have one all planned and booked. 🙂 This second TAW book – Walking in the World – promotes a weekly walk to sort out your thoughts, in addition to the morning pages and the weekly artist date. I usually walk daily, but in this weather, I haven’t been quite that consistent. I’ve managed maybe three walks a week. I’m hoping this week to get back into my daily walking rhythm – it does clear my thoughts, and it makes me feel better, too.
One thing I’m taking away from the exercises this time is the concept of taking charge, or as I say in my writing workshops, being an active protagonist. That’s probably because there were a lot of workshops and seminars on similar topics at the RWA National conference. Lots of food for thought, there, what with all the changes in publishing. I’m having a look at what I do in my writing career, looking for areas to improve – mostly, they’re on the self-promo side, as it’s not my natural tendency to do that stuff. I’d rather barricade myself in my office and just write! I have a few new ideas and hope to slide some of them into play soon. Can’t hurt to be more proactive.
How about you? Any progress or revelations this time?
Deborah Cooke: Author 