... into a writing slump, and I can't get up!
Although that's not as entirely true as it was this weekend. This weekend I received back the first beta read on my historical fantasy adventure, and it was so encouraging. Not just because she said nice things about my main characters and overall story (although that was awesome), but because she provided me with some solid things I could work on instead of the nebulous "something about this isn't right" that had been floating around my brain for the last few months. So now I'm getting excited to get back into editing.
Aside from that, though, I have been having problems. I have very minor edits to make on the three shorts closest to being publication-ready. I am almost finished with the major edits on the novella. The two spy shorts still need work, but I don't feel guilty about putting those on the back burner until I've finished my spy research.
So I've really no reason to be in a slump. Everything is moving along - slowly, true, but still moving. I've even started working with cover designers for the three almost-ready shorts!
And yet, and yet, and yet.
To be frank, homeschooling is kicking my butt. None of this is complicated stuff (I'm doing kindergarten and preschool, for heaven's sake), and my girls are eating it up, but I find myself struggling every day to stick to a schedule, to follow the lesson plan (we were at the library on Saturday and I suddenly realized with panic that I had NO IDEA what books I was supposed to pick up for this week's school, because I'd forgotten to check the lesson plan for this week). It will get easier (my mantra!), I know. I'm hoping by November to finally have my feet under me.
And it's going well, for the most part. We're getting together with a couple other homeschooling families once a week. Joy is reading everything she can get her hands on; Grace is consistently recognizing the alphabet and getting better with phonics; both of them love numbers ("Math is my FAVORITE," Joy tells me enthusiastically, every single day); Joy will happily spend hours covering any blank surface she can find (including the walls) with pictures as she teaches herself to draw; we go through the house and point out shapes of everything; we read and talk and do basic science projects and look at famous art pieces and listen to classical music ... they are eating it up. And when I can keep myself on track, I love it, too. I just get derailed way too easily.
And when the homeschooling gets overwhelming, everything else goes by the wayside, too. Especially writing!
I am seeing glimmers of hope. Aside from the aforementioned beta-read-encouragement, I was able to get a few hours to myself this weekend just to sit and breathe and recharge - something essential to this introvert mamma who is constantly surrounded by daily clamor of two little people always, always needing her (and occasionally one larger person, when he's home from work). I picked up Grace's quilt last night and made considerable progress on that while watching Once Upon a Time and Revenge (which last is actually boring me and I'm not planning on watching anymore - why is there no Downton or Sherlock on Sundays at nine right now??), which I had been procrastinating terribly on ever since the Olympics. I even pulled out my in-progress felt leaf banner I started making last year and never finished, and made HUGE strides on that (my goal is to get it done in time to use as decorating for Joy's birthday in November). I've been able to think about my stories without flinching.
And I got up almost a full hour before my littles this very morning, which allowed me some time to read my Bible, pray, write a blog post, breathe, and think. Always a good way to start the week!
So there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm just hoping the tunnel doesn't twist and curve TOO many more times before I get there!
How do you get yourself out of slumps - writing or otherwise? If you are a typically disorganized person, how do you force yourself to stick to a schedule (my schedule is deliberately basic and simple, and yet I STILL can't seem to follow it)? Any homeschooling parents out there with any advice for me in getting through this first year with my sanity intact?
I'm at the other end of the spectrum--three of my homeschooled kids have graduated and are in college, leaving me only one at home. Early on, schedules were the only thing that helped me--of course, with four little ones close in age, it was easier for me--follow the schedule or crash. :)
ReplyDeleteI think we crashed AND burned today ... got school done, but nothing else! Popcorn, sweet potato fries, and peanut butter cookies for lunch, 'cause Mamma's too weary for anything else.
DeleteIt will get easier. It will get easier. It will get easier ...
I didn't homeschool my kids. I'm not home schooling my grandson. Not because I'm against homeschooling--I'm not--but because I would be overwhelmed by it and I don't have the patience. I don't know if you're familiar with Jody Hedlund (if not, you can see her blog Author, Jody Hedlund). I think she homeschools her five(!) children, and has written and published several novels. Yikes. Good organization is crucial.
ReplyDeleteThe name is familiar, but I've never read her blog. I'll have to check it out, see if I can get some tips!
Delete"I've been able to think about my stories without flinching". Lol, I love this line! So true!
ReplyDeleteYou'll get there. You are making progress. With everything you've got going on, you're doing really well - but it is frustrating when you feel like you could do more. Congrats on the constructive feedback - don't know where I'd be without friends to point out where I've gone wrong!
My mind boggles at the amount of work that must be involved in homeschooling. Hats off, because I couldn't do it! Keep up the good work!
Thanks for the encouragement!
DeleteIt's way too easy for me to look around and see that "everyone" else has it all together - but then I remember that there are people who look at me and think I am "doing it all" (which, HA), so obviously appearances deceive, and I'd do better just to keep my eyes fixed on the goal, not on how everyone else around is doing.
Hah, yes, you ARE accomplishing quite a lot, and maybe you NEED to take a little break, focus on other things-- maybe other writing projects if you don't want to take a break from WRITING. Most importantly, don't get down on yourself. Don't focus on the things you didn't get to, but on the things you did accomplish instead. Then you'll have more courage to get to other things later instead of discouraging yourself that it will never happen. Have a virtual hug, my friend. You've done good work.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting a forcible break soon - we've got family coming in this weekend, and then we're off to the north country for a few days after that so Carl can inspect some bridges. Of course, that's not exactly relaxing, but it will be a distraction. So that's all good.
DeleteI think it gets easier over time--my kids are in fourth and second grade, and I've been homeschooling them the entire time, and I still have panicked moments of "What am I doing? Am I doing enough? We didn't get this one done today!" But the nice thing about homeschooling is that they're always learning and so many lessons come through questions they ask, and a lot of times I'll have to stop and go, "I don't know; let's look it up!" It's kind of a one-day-at-a-time thing for me, a constant learning process, and it changes every year depending on what books I'm using...but it's okay. It all gets done, they're learning, they're growing--I'm sure you're doing fantastically!!! It does get crazy--and when I add family time, writing, client editing, dance classes, playing with friends, church...sometimes I just have to pause and take a deep breath.
ReplyDeleteI've also found in homeschooling that it's not about the quantity that gets done, but what they're learning and enjoying. I could have so many school books that it could take four or five hours to get done, and it's just WORK and no enjoyment learning--or I could have school books that don't take as long and find ways to make them fun and interesting. Don't sweat it; your kids will keep learning!
And it sounds like you're making excellent project on your writing! Keep at it! :D
My sister and I used to HATE the "let's look it up!" answer from our mother. "Mom," my sister would say, "Just give us the Reader's Digest Condensed Version, please?" Now, of course (and ever since we were at college), we're both so thankful for that early training in seeking out information for ourselves instead of having to have a teacher spoon-feed it to us.
DeleteAnd yes, sometimes I think the fewer books means the richer education.
I'm so intrigued reading about your homeschool experiences. I really admire you for giving it a go. It sounds like the experience has been a good one so far, even if you feel like it's been a bit rocky at times. I wonder if your girls even notice!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your good beta-read! How terrific to get a critique that is not only positive, but also constructively helpful in the areas you wanted to work on. Good editors are hard to come by!
I try my hardest to be honest about the good and the bad here, regarding this homeschooling journey. The last thing I want to do is discourage anyone from attempting it themselves, but I never want to paint a falsely rosy picture!
DeleteWriting slumps are so frustrating! I don't homeschool my kiddos, but I do have a part-time job outside the home and little one who recently turned one. I feel like the last year has been a pretty big slump because I haven't been able to get into a routine.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I like to do most is make a set schedule for writing, even if it's only one hour a day, and make myself stick to it. If I can start seeing progress on my goals, it encourages me to continue.
It's the making myself stick to it that's the hardest part for me right now. I have a beautifully-written, well-thought-out, simply schedule printed and hanging on my fridge ... and I promptly ignore it every single day.
DeleteMaybe what I really need is less organization and more self-control!
I think we've all been in those writing slumps! I usually try to get myself interested in a new story. Or sometimes I will just take a break for a while and immerse myself in a different hobby for a few days. I find if I have some others that are keeping my accountable, it also helps me to write (making a schedule for myself doesn't work for me either).
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I'm not the only one who has a hard time sticking with a schedule! I have a beautifully-laid-out one printed and hanging on my fridge. Come 9:00 AM every morning, I'm hopelessly out of whack with it. What is up with that?
Delete