So yeah,
I started working a day job again about two months ago, hence the long hiatus
in blog posts. I’d hope to keep up a post-a-month schedule, we’ll
see how that works out. Now for my balancing act.
Work, or
course, takes up an inordinate amount of time and energy from my personal and
writing lives, but I’m determined to try and find a better balance than I did
while living in the States. My ‘before’ life had become a complete
drain on my creativity (and my happiness), and I’m determined not to let that
vicious cycle grab hold of me ever again. And even though I’m
writing slowly, I feel like I’m writing quality, and still excited about
it. So things I’m hoping to keep doing even though I’m back at a
‘real’ job are writing at least 1000 words a week, reading, and leisure time
with my family.
To keep
me in the right frame of mind, I’ve rediscovered historical romances. That’s
all I’d read for years, whether they be classics or of the bodice-ripper
variety, I rarely read anything set in present day. Then I was
recommended a few contemporary romances by some friends which led me to others
and before I knew I had left historicals in the dust – sad but true. This
I am certain didn’t help keep me excited about my own historical romance. I’d
forgotten how fun they can be. Though, to be fair, some of them can
be totally ridiculous by today’s sensibilities. The funny thing I’ve
realized most is that I kind of prefer the unconventional hero and
heroines. So many historicals are focused on the ‘ton’ while the
ordinary folks are largely ignored. However, there were far more
commoners during the Regency than peers, and I’m sure they had their share of
romance. All of Jane Austen’s characters were ordinary people, yes
many were wealthy, but most would be considered middle to lower class. These
are people we can all identify with, probably why her books are still so well
loved today.
As for
leisure time, I’m still working on that, but since moving to Ireland the hustle
and bustle is gone from our daily lives. One of my kids even
commented on how much happier we all are now that we’ve gotten away from the
rat race. I do think that when we are together as a family we enjoy
our time together far more than we used to.
And
lastly my word count. I am making steady progress, on average I'm writing a little over 1000 words per week. I’m nearing the 40,000 word
mark and just about at the halfway point in the story. Since picking
up the story again six months ago I’d say I’ve written around 28,000 words…not
too bad considering it had been nearly four years since I touched the manuscript.
Things
are finally looking up for The Good Doctor, and I couldn’t be
happier.