This has been a real issue for me this last week. I haven’t actually looked at my manuscript for a full two days, which goes against everything I would typically do. Even when I have hit a stumbling block like this in the past, I have always worked on something, whether this be checking the flow, continuity, a little editing or writing something, even if it is just a couple of hundred words, but this week, I haven’t been able to do that. It is frustrating, and my manuscript is always on my mind, but I didn’t have the energy to look at it, never mind putting words on paper.

It has been a busy week, with lots going on with the kids and school and with the festive activities picking up too; there seems to be so much more to think about. So, I allowed myself a couple of days away from my book. I tried not to think about it, although I find I am always thinking about how to start the next chapter and how to write towards the next plot twist or build more tension, but I stepped away from my notes and laptop and didn’t ‘do’ anything other than think about it.

I talked about the development of this book with my family and got some encouragement about sticking with it even when it sometimes feels like the writing dream may never really come to fruition. I will stick with it and continue to do what I do, as there is nothing else I can do. I need to write and get so much out of the writing process that even when it’s hard, I keep at it. I also want to read more and develop my voice and ability to draw an audience. I know my previous book was a little bit of a slow burner initially, and I want to tell the story in my current manuscript while focusing on reader engagement in the earlier chapters before the story has begun to fully unfold.

I enjoy developing my writing skills and with the addition of a potential new editor in the mix, I feel things might be going in the right direction which will help me as I explore my themes and tensions throughout the new manuscript. So today I will write a chapter, if I can and if that doesn’t go as planned at least begin to outline the main aspects of this chapter and develop some of the ideas further from my bigger plan for the book. I have some edits I’d like to tackle too, some clarity is needed in earlier chapters, things I had initially overlooked that caught my attention at the start of the week when I did a read through. They are minor edits but should improve the flow of the narrative and improve the readers understanding and experience.

So that is my plan for today and then I may take another day away from my book tomorrow to have some family time. With the holidays beginning at the end of next week, I may have to accept that I will get less written over the next few weeks and that’s okay. Its important to enjoy these special times of the year with family and focus on other aspects of my life. If I can squeeze in a half hour of work here or there then that will be a bonus! Happy Friday folks!