The Day Job
Like most authors, I have a day job. That day job is what pays my bills and allows me to eat regularly. Like any job, it can sometimes spill over into other areas of life. And life can spill over into the time I hoped would be reserved for writing. My day job has absolutely nothing to do with writing, but it does connect with technology. Lately, it’s been occupying most of my brain space when I hoped I would be able to strike a balance in the new year. Unfortunately, very little writing has happened since the start of the new year. While I’ve set myself up for success by joining a writing group and buying lots of craft books, I’ve done a pretty terrible job keeping up with it. March has plowed in like the lion it is, and I have been completely derailed. I’ve found myself without content for my newsletter for the first time since I published Shipshape back in August.
I’ve been traveling a lot lately for many different overlapping reasons, and any time I go through a transition time like this, I have to remind myself to take a step back and remember that I’m still doing a lot. So bear with me as I recap the last month in an attempt to spark some motivation going into the spring. Hopefully through my reflection, you might remember that you are balancing a lot too. These are the things I’ve done to help me along in my writing.
Picture book idea- I was away for a long weekend, and I wrote a draft of a picture book about a coconut. It’s a pretty dreadful first draft, but it made me laugh. It was also a sign that I was relaxed because my mind wandered to writing. I may or may not go back to it, but it was a fun creative exercise applying the premise of The Important Book to coconuts.
Logline- A logline is a one sentence pitch for a book or a movie. I’ve been working on one for my new book. It’s helping me clarify what I want the book to be about, and it’s helping me focus on a single storyline. As soon as I can carve out more time in my days, I’m looking forward to building out this new eco mystery with two new characters named Lottie and Isidro.
Read Across America- As a continuation of World Read Aloud Day, I was invited to speak to some 4th graders as part of Read Across America week. Participating in these school visits are the highlights of the outreach I’ve done with Shipshape. I love speaking to kids and seeing their excitement about reading. The thirty minute visit set me up for a wonderful day. It’s a great reminder to keep what’s important at the forefront of my identity as an author.
SxSw Edu- I was fortunate to go to this conference at the beginning of the month. While I had specific work-related things to do there, I also met some really cool people. To me, the most interesting people have many interests and often live part of their lives in creative spaces. One of these people is Clyde Boyer, author of new release, Girl Out of Time. After a long chat about sustainability, technology, international development, and of course, writing, I felt inspired to reevaluate my priorities and ask the very important question: what is impact to me? Like many instances in my life, I felt that this conference was one of seed planting. While I’m not sure what will grow, I do feel that the soil was rich and the conditions were right.
Newsletter- Despite having very little content this month, I’m still sending a newsletter out. It’s one of the things I have consistently been able to do. Who knows, maybe this will be the best one yet.
I’m home for just over a week before it all starts up again and I’m back on the road for a trip with my sister, a stint in Costa Rica (that’s where I’ve been researching my new book), and a conference in San Diego. April will be busy like March, but I’m hoping May gives me the time and space to develop my ideas. In the meantime, I’m going to try some short creativity bursts at the beginning and end of each day to keep my brain loose. I’ve got some favorites, but I would love to know what you do to jump-start your creativity.
