Tackling boredom and depression

I wanted to provide an update of my writing. I started on my second chapter after having a bit of a breakthrough regarding my inability to write. At the risk of revealing too much personal information, I realized exactly what my problem is. Everything comes back to this one thing. I came upon this as I was reading The Writer's Portable Therapist. My exact problem isn't covered in the book, but there are a couple of chapters that come close. I always was mystified about how to solve a behavioral problem. Is realizing it enough or do you have to completely change who you are, which is very difficult? I am not sure. I am trying to change who I am and it is a little difficult, especially when I have been living with myself for so long.

I suffer from a lot of boredom/depression and the last time I was complaining about it, my husband said I should throw myself into something and see what happens. I did tonight and I feel so much better! I finished another session in the therapy book, I updated both of my blogs, and I am torn between working on my query letter and my chapter. I think I will work on both to foster that feeling of accomplishment.

Cryptic messages

I left a somewhat cryptic post last night that I wanted to expand on today. I have been extremely distracted lately. Part of my routine in writing is to write in a journal every morning. I mentioned it as part of Dorothea Brande's process of becoming a writer. My journal entries were getting shorter and shorter with some days not seeing any post at all. This is unacceptable. To be a writer you have to write at least something every day.

Like I said, I have been distracted by world events, especially politics. It is appalling to me that people can be so selfish and cruel and to read about it every day is to really lose hope. I was talking to my husband and he said that I can't change the whole world, just my corner, and it is sound advice. On that note, I am imposing a news blackout until such time where I feel I can handle people and their ridiculousness.

In a couple of posts back, I was talking about editing the two chapters of my book to send them out. I originally said that I would be taking June and July and then I later revised that to just June. I did finish the first chapter in June, but have yet to tackle the next chapter, which I feel is my most challenging chapter in the book. In it, I have to traverse a long passage of time without glossing over what my character is going through. I don't want it to read like a diary entry, but I don't want to pore over every detail either. I have been avoiding working on it because maybe I don't know enough about the craft of writing to pull something like this off? See, this is progress to admit this. I think reading Plot will help.

I also have come up with an idea for another book, a chick lit book. The idea came to me during my nightly run and I fleshed out the whole plot during a week of activity. I am going to outline it and get moving on the writing. There is a process to writing fiction and it is about time that I figured out what it was.

And finally, my freelance career. I have a great idea for an article and today I am going to formulate my interview questions and send them out to my sources.

See? I have a plan. I just had to get back on track.

Mid-ish July update

I wanted to update everyone. I have been working on my article ideas and compiling sources. I have yet to write a query letter; it was my goal for the week. However, writing one will be my goal for next week.

Summer is here

Hey everyone! I wanted to pop in to give an update on my writing. I know that I said I would have my sample chapters ready by the end of June, and I have been working on them! But I only have one done. I am going to take the long 4th of July weekend and work on the other one. I always approach editing with trepidation, but it always works out!

In other news, I have been identifying markets to write for. I think I am going to try my hand at two travel articles and one personal essay. I love travel writing. Good travel writing, and the personal essay is good, too.

I have picked up a couple of really great writing books I wanted to share. The first is titled The Craft & Business of Writing, by Writers Digest. This book contains everything you ever wanted to know about writing fiction and nonfiction. It is fantastic and I highly recommend it.

I also bought a book on the essays of Michel de Montaigne, who is considered "the greatest essayist who ever lived." Why not learn from the master?

I have also begun reading, "How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead," by Ariel Gore, which is filled with great advice on how to be fearless in your writing.

So you can see I am pretty busy with reading and I am squeezing in some writing. I would like to up my writing quotient in July. I will keep you posted.