Writing, writing, writing!

So I came by this quote by Ray Bradbury while reading the FundsforWriters newsletter today: "Stay drunk on writing so reality doesn't destroy you." Oh my god! That's exactly how I've felt today, drunk on writing. Riding an amazing high after writing a section that has particularly pleased me today. A section I did not plan but that I "heard" and had to just write. So I wrote, without stopping for a long while, with a certain desperation, and then, wow!

I thought about it when I was done with that section, when I was feeling all "happy" as we say here in DR for feeling just a little drunk and then I realized that I've been using writing to keep reality at bay for a few weeks now. Reality includes all these worries, which can become horrible worries (especially when you look at your 4-month old baby sleeping peacefully in his crib and think about all you want to provide for his life). And writing, well, in writing anything can happen and it often does. :D

Drunk on writing. I plan to stay that way for a long time. :D

What I've Learned Today

I've learned that my son has the most perfect little nose.
I've learned that when I believe in myself, I can overcome the obstacles that scare me most.
I've learned that for each small goal I reach, each little tiny step I take, the bigger ones seem more manageable.
I've learned that practice does make perfect, at least helps you improve: after spending a week writing daily for a few hours each day, I've found a great rhythm!

But I've also learned that it is ridiculously painful when your realize someone close to you does not believe in you, does not support you
And that it feels amazing when your soul mate tells you it doesn't matter, because he believes in you and that's what counts.

Inspiration!

Inspiration comes from very surprising places. About two weeks ago, my sister gave me that giant sunflower to cheer up my day. For some reason, wherever there are sunflowers, I am happy. This giant sunny flower certainly brightened up an already colorful living room! But even more than that, suddenly, my characters were speaking to me again and I wrote out (by hand no less!) an entire scene for my new story. And of course, it centered on sunflowers!

So far, writing this story has been exciting and painful at the same time. I keep "hearing" new stuff that happens in the story and I write it down in my notebook, but it's all out of order. At the same time, I've been writing the story on my laptop, in order, and that has been quite painful sometimes, especially when I've felt stuck, like I can't go anymore, but I've pushed on. Okay, so far it's been two weeks of working on it, but I've done it daily, and for the last week I've set writing goals daily and met them! I started the story doubting myself, feeling rusty after so long not writing, but each day gives me just a little more assurance that I can finish this and see it through and it fights that horrible little voice that sometimes makes me think maybe I should give up writing completely. The notebook stays by my side at all time so I've been writing ideas, scenes, questions as they occur to me: at the doctor's office, in the shade while waiting for my car to cool off after it overheated, at work, at my parents' house, before going to bed, waiting in line someplace, in the car....and I have to admit that every time more stuff gets revealed to me, I feel a little rush like okay, I can see this project through. It is taking my writing in a completely different direction, one that was unexpected, but I'm having fun doing it too!

I've also been posting my updates on Facebook and my friends' reactions and encouragement has been amazing for my progress. That should balance out the fact that I waste too much time on Facebook to begin with. ;-)

The other side of this is that Dorian is actually "cooperating" with my writing needs by going to sleep early enough that I can get an hour or so in there just to sit in front of the laptop to concentrate on the story and write. Of course, it helps I'm on vacation. Next week will be the real test. :D Wish me luck!