Seeking out the joy

/ Tracy Abell
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So I’m having a tough time getting my butt in the chair so I can work on this project and I don’t know why that is. It’s actually a pretty lighthearted story with a fun voice. I guess it’s that I’m feeling a little demoralized because I’m basically writing another first draft. I finished one last November and then let it sit but when I got back to the book in May, it felt off. Not all the way off but enough off that I felt the need to tweak the perspective a bit. Not a huge amount but a little. And for some reason that little tweak makes it feel as if I’m tackling a whole new project.

Ah well. The writing life.

My point is, it’s hard getting motivated on this project. So I went back to the beginning and read what I have so far, and liked it enough to keep forging ahead a tiny bit.

Today, at least, I was able to unearth the joy that keeps me going.

33 thoughts on “Seeking out the joy”

  3. “Today, at least, I was able to unearth the joy that keeps me going.”
    That’s terrific, Tracy! One day at a time, right?
    How’s the hooping going, by the way? I was just thinking of that (you and your toy) the other day.

    Like

    • One day at a time. And even that can feel scary and overwhelming.
      Hooping is wonderful. I can now hoop in both directions! One side is still easier and more fluid but I’ve made great improvement on the other direction. I took it with me to my family gathering a few weeks ago and hooped there, trying to convert relatives. I’m a bit evangelical about it. (Don’t suppose your father hooped. 🙂

      Like

  4. “Today, at least, I was able to unearth the joy that keeps me going.”
    That’s terrific, Tracy! One day at a time, right?
    How’s the hooping going, by the way? I was just thinking of that (you and your toy) the other day.

    Like

  5. “Today, at least, I was able to unearth the joy that keeps me going.”

    That’s terrific, Tracy! One day at a time, right?

    How’s the hooping going, by the way? I was just thinking of that (you and your toy) the other day.

    Like

  6. I think since us writers have to endure all these emotional ups and downs we should at least have butlers to bring us sandwiches and assorted snacks while we’re working. They’d instinctively know when not to interrupt us, of course, and realize the perfect moment to stride into the room with a cheese platter and some lemonade (can’t be wine because we gotta get back to work after the munching).
    But I know how you feel. I’m still trying to fix a book I originally started in 1999. I’ve done so many rewrites on it over the years and it still feels off. I think I must be both stubborn and crazy to be attacking this thing again. But like you say, the writing life!
    Glad to hear you could find the joy that keeps you going. That’s why we do it, right?

    Like

    • Butlers striding in with a cheese platter and lemonade! Carolyn, you’re genius! Where can I sign up?
      WOW on the 1999 book. Good for you sticking with it until you get it right, though. I don’t want to be one of those writers who has a gazillion unfinished/unpolished mss in my file cabinet when I die.
      Thanks for cheering me on in my search for the joy. I always appreciate you taking the time to encourage me along the way.

      Like

    • The book I’m finally trying to get published was started (crappy first draft) in, uh, 1991, I believe. Since then I’ve rewritten it a bazillion times. And throughout that process, finally learned how to write good enough. Or so I think!

      Like

      • Okay, you win the prize for perseverance. That’s truly impressive. And I’m sure you’ve learned all sorts of things about writing.
        Is this your unicorn story you’re taking to the editor thingy this weekend? Either way, sending good thoughts your way….

        Like

  7. I think since us writers have to endure all these emotional ups and downs we should at least have butlers to bring us sandwiches and assorted snacks while we’re working. They’d instinctively know when not to interrupt us, of course, and realize the perfect moment to stride into the room with a cheese platter and some lemonade (can’t be wine because we gotta get back to work after the munching).
    But I know how you feel. I’m still trying to fix a book I originally started in 1999. I’ve done so many rewrites on it over the years and it still feels off. I think I must be both stubborn and crazy to be attacking this thing again. But like you say, the writing life!
    Glad to hear you could find the joy that keeps you going. That’s why we do it, right?

    Like

  8. I think since us writers have to endure all these emotional ups and downs we should at least have butlers to bring us sandwiches and assorted snacks while we’re working. They’d instinctively know when not to interrupt us, of course, and realize the perfect moment to stride into the room with a cheese platter and some lemonade (can’t be wine because we gotta get back to work after the munching).

    But I know how you feel. I’m still trying to fix a book I originally started in 1999. I’ve done so many rewrites on it over the years and it still feels off. I think I must be both stubborn and crazy to be attacking this thing again. But like you say, the writing life!

    Glad to hear you could find the joy that keeps you going. That’s why we do it, right?

    Like

  13. One day at a time. And even that can feel scary and overwhelming.
    Hooping is wonderful. I can now hoop in both directions! One side is still easier and more fluid but I’ve made great improvement on the other direction. I took it with me to my family gathering a few weeks ago and hooped there, trying to convert relatives. I’m a bit evangelical about it. (Don’t suppose your father hooped. 🙂

    Like

  14. One day at a time. And even that can feel scary and overwhelming.

    Hooping is wonderful. I can now hoop in both directions! One side is still easier and more fluid but I’ve made great improvement on the other direction. I took it with me to my family gathering a few weeks ago and hooped there, trying to convert relatives. I’m a bit evangelical about it. (Don’t suppose your father hooped. 🙂

    Like

  15. Butlers striding in with a cheese platter and lemonade! Carolyn, you’re genius! Where can I sign up?
    WOW on the 1999 book. Good for you sticking with it until you get it right, though. I don’t want to be one of those writers who has a gazillion unfinished/unpolished mss in my file cabinet when I die.
    Thanks for cheering me on in my search for the joy. I always appreciate you taking the time to encourage me along the way.

    Like

  16. Butlers striding in with a cheese platter and lemonade! Carolyn, you’re genius! Where can I sign up?

    WOW on the 1999 book. Good for you sticking with it until you get it right, though. I don’t want to be one of those writers who has a gazillion unfinished/unpolished mss in my file cabinet when I die.

    Thanks for cheering me on in my search for the joy. I always appreciate you taking the time to encourage me along the way.

    Like

  22. The book I’m finally trying to get published was started (crappy first draft) in, uh, 1991, I believe. Since then I’ve rewritten it a bazillion times. And throughout that process, finally learned how to write good enough. Or so I think!

    Like

  23. Okay, you win the prize for perseverance. That’s truly impressive. And I’m sure you’ve learned all sorts of things about writing.
    Is this your unicorn story you’re taking to the editor thingy this weekend? Either way, sending good thoughts your way….

    Like

  24. Okay, you win the prize for perseverance. That’s truly impressive. And I’m sure you’ve learned all sorts of things about writing.

    Is this your unicorn story you’re taking to the editor thingy this weekend? Either way, sending good thoughts your way….

    Like

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