In Which I Stage My Own Intervention

Lindsey... sit down.  We need to talk.

First, almost a year of blogging - woot!  You started this blog last January with the plan of writing your novel and documenting the journey.  You had good intentions, really.  You even started off strong, writing away on that shiny new idea at Tootsie Roll's hockey practices, hitting a road block in plot, working it out, doing lots of research.

And then.... well.... you got bogged down with research.  You got so involved with your idea that it no longer felt original.  You needed some space.  You got busy with The Real Job and spent the summer playing with your kids (which you absolutely do not regret). 

You got distracted by yet another shiny new idea.  Rookie mistake.  You see that now, I know.  I won't beat you up over it.  Keep it filed away for later.

And then school started again and you know how September is and then you joined a blogfest to blog every day in October, and while it was fun, your posts were really just filler to post something every day.  Probably not the best choice.  Then there was November, full of report cards and conferences and hosting Thanksgiving.  We know how November goes.  At least you wisely sidestepped NaNo this year (even though you missed the fun and camaraderie, I know).

Now it's December and we can look back on the year and observe a few things.  One, that novel is calling to you again, which is a good thing.  You are months removed and definitely have renewed interest.  Your characters are talking to you in the shower again, which can only be good.

So we need to come up with a plan.  Let's get real - this novel is not going to write itself.  It's ok to be forgiving at busy times of year, but it might be wise to set up a writing schedule and stick to it the best you can.  You need to try to be a little more consistent.  You need to take yourself somewhere quiet.  You need to stop trying to write on the computer, because as your blog title so presumptuously states, you work best when you're pressing a nib to paper.  Yes, you will have to type later, but you can revise while you type (and then revise again.  And again.), so it all works out.

Let's get serious.  You need to start reading those writing books that are set up all nicely on your writing desk (which, really, needs to stop being covered with lesson plans and the kids' school stuff and bills and paperwork).  I know you don't have a lot of reading time and that you like to use it to read that amazing YA TBR stack that keeps growing.  But news flash... those amazing authors only published their books after they wrote them.

I know you're feeling like your blog has been going nowhere lately, and that's ok.  We all have bloggy moments of meh.  But I promise, once you start writing again, you will have no end of things to discuss, characters to flesh out, frustrations to vent, AHA! moments to rejoice in.  I swear. :)

To be fair, this blog has been an amazing experience this year that has introduced you to an amazing, talented, supportive, thoughtful, creative bunch of writers, as well as incredibly useful information on craft, querying, agents, the road to publication, and any number of invaluable little tidbits.  You needed that and will continue to need it, but now you know where to find it.  You also need a Crit Partner... but one step at a time.  Once you have more writing done, this will be an excellent place to find one.  Or more.

So listen, Lindsey.  It's not all bad.  You have a foundation and a support system you never knew existed.  And you know where you need to go from here.  It's a pretty good place to be, actually.  Remember, I'm doing this with your best interest at heart.

Now go forth and write. :)

love,
Lindsey