In less than a week I’ll be in Tucson for Left Coast Crime. I’ve finished reading the books from the authors on my panel. I’ve got my swag ready. I’ve got to drag half a dozen of my books with me because the bookstore decided they couldn’t find my book to supply for the convention (that’s a whole other story).
And I should be working on book 2. I set my “what ifs” aside so I could read 5 books before the convention, but now that I’ve read them, and have some good questions prepared, I find I’m resistant to jump back into my writing until after the convention. I’ve got almost a week–okay, maybe half a week–before I leave, so I’ve got time now.
It’s like I feel I need to “save it until after.” Like for some reason the time between now and when I leave is somehow reserved for all the mental anticipation and energy of going on a 5-day trip. Like it’s a sort of reward for going to the convention, like the convention is a chore that needs to be completed.
It’s not. I’m looking forward to reuniting with friends I made at last year’s convention, and at Bouchercon last fall. I’m looking forward to the experience of seeing a new place, and of being away from home and all the responsibilities here. I get a break from work and from all the distractions of home (hours of news 😮 ). I get to enjoy early summer temps (70s!) instead of the forecast snow/rain mix, although I will miss out on the 40s they’re predicting for the end of the week.
I’m not looking forward to dragging my books with me, but it’s better than not having any because the bookstore, for some reason only they can rationalize, chose not to order my books to stock for LCC despite the fact I filled out their form to have them carry my book. Twice.
Maybe it’s the weather. I am so DONE with winter! We got 2 inches the other day, and they’re predicting 2 to 6 more inches today. The weather wonks have put this season into the top 10 snowiest for MN. Oh boy.
On the bright side, the equinox is in a couple weeks, meaning spring is almost here! Yay! We’ll only have to deal with the snow (and the subsequent muddy yard and driveway) for another month or so. Better than getting all this snow in December and having to put up with it for three more months.
Motivation to work on book 2 is sketchy at this point. Maybe because I need to really work through the “what-ifs” before I do any more revision, and my brain is busy churning through all the fun I plan to have at LCC. Or it’s busy thinking about other projects I really want to get back to. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that I take advantage of the time I have now to shift some focus to book 2, because darn it, I want to hand it over to my agent and get back to my police procedural.
Then again, I’m also thinking to save the work for all the time I’ll be spending in the airport, on the plane, in my hotel room in the mornings before all the activities fire up. I mean, what better time to work through “what ifs” than spending 2-3 hrs at 40,000 feet?
Doesn’t mean I can’t do it now, too.
So, creative brain, get your shit together and focus.
Don’t forget to Spring Ahead this weekend for Daylight Savings Time!
Facets of a Muse 
March 11, 2023 at 7:43 am
Julie, we all experience that. I certainly do, too. There is no magic, though. It’s called sitting down and doing a little bit on Book 2, whatever “little bit” might be in your case. I say to myself, “I’m just going to look at one scene/chapter right now before lunch.” Then I sit down and start reading/polishing only that. That sort of short time and short project gets it done. And there’s nothing wrong with leaving it until a week from now. But make an appointment so that you can tell somebody at the conference you have that appointment. You’ll do it, I know. You’re a go-getter. Good luck, and have fun at Left Coast Crime!
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March 11, 2023 at 8:11 am
Thank you so much, Chris! Yes, scheduling that time puts it on the calendar and in my mind that that’s what I’m going to do that day at that time. And thank you for the reminder that it’s okay to do small bits at a time, because the small bits will add up.
Have a wonderful weekend!
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March 11, 2023 at 7:56 am
I know just what you mean about the weather, Julie. Admittedly, we haven’t had snow. But it’s been cold (for here), rainy, cloudy, and not at all mood-lifting here. It’s hard to write at those times, especially when you’re planning what I hope will be a fantastic trip to LCC. I think it’s best not to be too hard on ourselves during those times. Sometimes we need to step back and not feel that we must be producing all the time.
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March 11, 2023 at 8:09 am
Thank you, Margot! That’s the thing, isn’t it? We insist to ourselves we should always be writing, but sometimes it’s okay to step back and take a minute. I’m hoping it will be a great trip to LCC–what’s better than talking about writing with other writers for 4 days?
Have a great weekend, my friend!
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March 16, 2023 at 4:51 pm
See how behind I am on blogs? Recently returned from a trip to Ohio. Brr! 😉 I wish I had a cat on my lap to keep me warm!!
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March 24, 2023 at 7:17 pm
Ohio? Naw, that’s not cold. We had high temps in the 20s last week–before I escaped to Tucson 🙂
Cats are awesome lap-warmers!
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March 24, 2023 at 10:18 pm
Of course Ohio isn’t cold in comparison to MN. But it is in comparison to where I live! 😛
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