In Medias Res: This week in Writing

Wednesday 2/18/2015

"Snowing all the way..."

Today, the decision to complete my novel by the end of this year was reborn. 

When this moment of resolution occurred, I was actually running late for my 9 to 5 a.k.a the daytime gig. As a production driven person this left me utterly annoyed. And just to be clear, I was looking for someone to blame. But there was no one. Except me and my car which I happened to notice, at the time, had not been cleared off since the previous day’s snow storm.

Snow gloves cleaning car

 Usually, it is not my task to clean it. So of course, my aggravation went from Zen to sin, in a matter of seconds. With ill emotions running high, I quickly retrieved that wiper-cleaner-sweeper thingamajig from the back of my caddy and got on with my unexpected grudge work. Around about the time that I had gone full steam ahead with swift swiping motions, I paused to go slow with it. Why not?  I had to call in late anyhow. So I took my time.

Atop my car was that soft, fluffy, powdery, good stuff that defined wintertime when I was a youngster. In slowing my pace, I was able to absorb it all. The site, the sound, the scenery: it was absolutely beautiful.  And actually, the more I brushed it, the more I developed a child-like freedom. So much so, that I put some snow on my face.  If the dramatic meter needs to get any higher, I will also add that I ate some of it too. Oddly, in that moment of sheer lunacy, I found myself understanding something I never had before.  Just as I had taken time to clean off my car, despite my schedule, I would also have to prioritize writing as a craft, regardless of my other obligations. No ifs, ands or, but I have to do this other thing first about it.

As the sands of time continue to work their way through my life, I realize nothing gets accomplished without intention (not even something as fulfilling as playing in the snow). If I want this novel done in a timely manner, I will have to insist on making the necessary adjustments rendering writing a priority in my life. Therefore, I will make time, I will find time and I will finish my novel by the end of 2015. And, I will continue to be punctual at work. I am a woman, after all. I still have to balance my life AND pay my bills.

That is what’s going on this week in writing.

Thanks for listening.

~T. Vernay “Girl Gone Writer”