My favorite season is Spring. The trees wake up, the grass greens up, the flowers, the birds–the two pairs of wood ducks who always stop by on their way to wherever they go showed up earlier this week (not sure where they went, though; haven’t seen them lately). The mosquitoes aren’t out yet (but I understand ticks probably are), and it’s usually pretty nice temp-wise.
We had a nice spring last year, weeks of gorgeous weather if I remember right. A few years back, we had a couple weeks of spring, maybe. Then Memorial Day weekend was almost 100 degrees F. Ugh. Summer started waaay too soon.
This year? Oh boy. We still had lows below freezing last weekend. Yes, a week before May we had freezing temps at night. The highs have finally begun to reach the 50s. Of course, that doesn’t mention anything about the wind. OMG! A little wind is expected, but dang, we’re talking 20-25 mph gusting to 30+. Yeesh. And gray gloom. I’ve had to use my SAD therapy light a few times because the sun didn’t show up.
Anyway (you know that talking about the weather is part of MN culture, right? š ). Getting focused has been tough lately, for some reason. Maybe it was the binge-reading of an urban fantasy series (K. N. Banet’s Jacky Leon series, if anyone is wondering). I needed something light, and I swear I was only going to re-read the first one …
No excuse, though. I got feedback from my agent on Book 2. Not too much, adjustments here and there, but I still have to think a bit about them. I have my game plans for revising both Book 2 and my synopsis. And my final is next week–yippee (only because that’s my last class–not looking forward to the final, but whatever)! So, studying is on the to-do list. I don’t have any classes for the rest of the year, because the classes I need aren’t being offered, so that’s a break. However, I’m going to try to test out of one of my required classes at some point this year. On the list for a later date.
I’ve got my task list, I just need to focus. Always seems to be easier said than done, especially while real life is bumpy. Could be bumpier, though. So, what to do …
My time-tested method to deal with it (especially when the weather is less than ideal for walking)? NaNoWriMo. A reinforcement of the “write every day” mantra. Granted, I won’t be trying to write 50k words, but I dedicate a couple hours every night to writing (which has the added bonus of allowing me to ignore the incessant news Hubs likes to watch).
And yes, I should work on Book 2 and the synopsis, but I feel like I need a little bit of a break. Maybe a weekend with another project, maybe my police procedural or my rural MN project. Or, maybe a weekend with my urban fantasy; not too much time, though, because I don’t have that fleshed out yet. I get random scenes in my head that bug me until I write them down. So inconsiderate!
Hope you all are enjoying better weather than our gloomy, windy, almost-but-not-quite spring.
Keep on writing!
Facets of a Muse 
April 30, 2022 at 6:59 am
Sorry to hear your weather hasn’t been as good as you’d hoped, Julie. That can really make it difficult to be focused, energetic, and so on. And it’s even harder, as you say, when there are a lot of things on the ‘to do’ list. I’ve found that prioritizing things is helpful. That way, if something doesn’t get done in a given day, I don’t figuratively beat myself up about it.
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May 7, 2022 at 5:24 am
Yes, priorities! My struggle is often prioritizing what needs to get done versus what I really don’t want to do š What has worked (sometimes š ) for me is the reward system. I do the things I really don’t want to do (you know, like cleaning or taxes) and I’ll give myself permission to do something like watch a favorite TV show or movie.
Happy Writing, Margot!
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April 30, 2022 at 9:59 am
Lots of places have experienced a cold spring this year. We are going into winter – Ugh! It sounds like your writing is going very well.
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May 7, 2022 at 5:25 am
Oh, that’s right, you are south of the equator. Spring has finally decided to peek in, just before Summer shoves her away and takes over.
Happy Writing, Robbie!
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May 4, 2022 at 11:51 am
Nyx does look like he’s plotting. Maybe he’ll help you plot your next project. Good luck with all the writing and the final and staying warm and sunny. Come on spring!
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May 7, 2022 at 5:28 am
Heh! Nyx is still a troublemaker. My daughter stayed over at my son’s place, and Nyx got her petting time at 3 in the morning from her instead of waking up my son for that all-important wee hour petting. Apparently, cats don’t tell time very well (or they do, and it’s a sinister plot to steal sleep from humans š )
Happy Writing, Betsy!
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May 7, 2022 at 9:48 am
Ooh, Iām afraid I would find Nyx
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May 7, 2022 at 9:49 am
Less adorable if she woke me at 3am.
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