May was supposed to be an easy month. I have no weddings scheduled and only had to work one Friday at the ortho. May was supposed to be the month I finally started querying and writing again.
Unfortunately, May has been super crazy so far. I wish I could post a screen shot of my calendar so you could see how crazy. I haven’t sent a single query because I haven’t had time to work on my letter or finish (heck, even start, really) my latest rounds of edits on Twenty-Five. I don’t know if I’m more relieved or frustrated about that.
I haven’t written a word of The Death Effect since I made the goal to get to 60K this month. I honestly have not had real time. I need to go back and read through what I already have and look at my outlines before I write anymore because it’s been soo long since I’ve seriously worked on it. I don’t remember the paths I wanted the characters to take. I remember the outcome, just not how to get them there!
So, why haven’t I had the time? I’ve been working. I don’t have any weddings this month, which last year meant a smooth-sailing, free-as-a-bird existence. This year, NOPE! But that’s a good thing. I’m busier. I have more clients than ever and I’m going to meetings and networking events all the time. It’s wonderful because I really do love it. If I could coordinate full time and write on the side, I’d be a really happy girl. And we’re getting closer. My boss can’t keep track of my clients anymore!
On the same line of thought, we spent four hours on Sunday setting up our blog, Daring, Devoted. It looks FANTABULOUS, if I do say so myself. We officially “launched” it on Tuesday. And by “launched” I mean we all put posts on Facebook about it! haha. It will be on our website soon, too. I’m so happy with it and really proud of the BBS team for doing it! I just hope brides and event professionals find it informative and entertaining.
When we were working on the blog, it struck me how important voice actually is in writing of any kind, not just fiction. There are three of us in the company and each of us read the other 2’s posts to make comments and suggestions before putting them on the blog. It hit me over the head how different they each sounded, and not just in content.
I’ve heard so much discussion on the importance of a strong voice over the past year and I kinda wondered if that was my problem. I couldn’t discern my own voice in my work. I worried the way I write is so simple that is is utterly devoid of voice. But I discovered this weekend that isn’t true. I DO have a voice. It may not be knock-your-socks-off fantastic, but it’s there. I sound like me. Nobody else. Just me.
And I think that’s a good thing.
*As proof of how busy I’ve been, I wrote this on Monday and have not had time to type it until today, Thursday!*
When I have a busy schedule, it’s usually right after that I feel the most inspired to write… So don’t worry about it or stress over it, you will write and since you missed it so much the chances are you’ll feel twice as inspired 🙂
I really like your voice, with each post I read it gets more distinct in my head. And I definitely agree with you, voice isn’t just important for fiction, it’s very important for all kinds of writing.
And, congratulations on your new web site!
Thanks Lua! I haven’t had time to pay attention to the wonderful blogs I’m supposed to be following, either! I promise I’ll head back over to yours soon. I think for my voice, I just didn’t realize it was there because I write like I talk. It’s so normal for me I didn’t realize there was anything unique about it until I compared it directly with someone else. I’ll never doubt again!
I think you have a unique and distinct voice, too. I thoroughly enjoy your blog and writing.
Thank you!
Too true about voice! It’s the guiding force, I reckon.
Hope you’re doing well. Being too busy to write is maddening. But then, when I’ve got the time, I seem to fill it up with other things anyway. 🙂
– Corra
from the desk of a historical writer
I’m doing pretty good Corra, I hope you are. Are you done with school for the semester? I hope you get a lot of writing done this summer!
It’s gotta be something with May. Everybody seems to be crazy-busy this month. Sounds like work is going great. Hope you find time to catch up on your writing as well.
work is going great, thanks! And I did find a few minutes here and there the past couple of days to finish a chapter, so I’m pretty excited about that!
I hope you are doing well, Joy!