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.