Moonday Mania

a blog for writers et al

Why does it take so long to grow up? I think it might take my entire lifetime to learn things I should have learned earlier. Like the fact that all the things that didn’t fit into a “normal” job do fit into my dream job of being a writer. I’m a jack of all trades, maven, daydreamer. None of that applies to real life, but it sure fits being a writer. Just wish I’d listened to my heart twenty years ago, instead of all the people who said “writing doesn’t pay.” No, it doesn’t, but neither does half-heartedly doing the day job.

And that’s what I do right now. I show up. I do the day job. But while I’m there I dream of being here, at my computer, doing all the myriad things that add up to a writers life. Including writing. One would think that I would be one of those people who can write while working, but it doesn’t turn out that way. That’s why I’m trying NANOWRIMO this year. (Check out my progress HERE.)

You see, my day job is  full time for part of the year. Yeah, you read that right. So, during November I’m working full time, but during December through March, I will not be working at all. Then I’ll be back at work through July.

It’s crazy, but for me it works. Why? Because remember, I’m no good at writing while I’m working. Nano is applying pressure to me this month. We’ve hit the middle of the month and I am over 5K now. That sucks for Nano, but it’s actually great for me. Last November, when I worked, I wrote zero words. That’s right, zero. I did blog three times a week and I edited for my CP at the time, and I kept up with some other writing related jobs, but I didn’t write. And that is the job.

See CJ Lyons blog HERE for details on how a writer is successful by planting butt in chair. I need this on a big poster!

How am I growing up this month? Besides trying Nano and realizing that for me, 30k or 10k or even 5k is a win, it’s by cutting back on the blogs, (I will not be here on Thursday, Turkey day!) and focusing on what is important. Writing. Growing up means setting goals, trying to achieve them, and figuring out what the #$%* happened when you fail. Because right now I’m looking at not hitting 50k, or even the 30k that I thought I could try for while working. Am I still trying? Yes. But I’m also being realistic. If I want to hit anything more I need to pull up the big girl pants and say no to all the things dragging my attention away from writing.

In other words, time to grow up and get my writing groove on!

What has made you grow up lately? Do you even feel like a grown up? When does that happen? Does it ever happen?

Want to read another great post about growing up? Check out Kristen Lamb’s

Maturity–The Difference Between the Amateur and the Professional

FYI: I will not be posting on Thursday, Thanksgiving. Enjoy the pie! (All you Canada people already had yours, so back to work with you!)