Then and now

/ Tracy Abell

I drove Zebu to the airport this afternoon and hugged him goodbye, a parting made easier with the knowledge he’s happy to return to his new home and life in Seattle. After driving the 40 minutes back here, I resumed drafting a new scene in my work-in-progress I’ve neglected for the past four days. The scene is bumpy, but I keep reminding myself it’s impossible to revise a blank page which means ugly writing is better than no writing. I’ve set a goal to finish this draft by June 30 and then will reward myself with a printed and bound copy of the draft.

“June 30th” is my new mantra and it’s pulling me through some rough patches as I write this book. Two years ago today I was camping and photographing birds, without any notion of this latest middle grade novel.

Dark-eyed Junco, State Forest State Park. June 12, 2019

Then again, maybe the story was already beginning to simmer and I just didn’t know it. Either way, I will honor my commitment and finish this draft by June 30. I owe it to myself and the characters.

10 thoughts on “Then and now”

  1. hey / cheering with you as the June 30th date motivates –
    such a good idea
    – oh and i bet the idea was simmering long before 2019! it think that is how it is with writers – your life’s shaping has been churning ideas and stories all along 😉

    Liked by 1 person

      • and guess what? I just got out some markers and paper and made an outline for the rest of the month – well going to July 2nd – and it was partly inspired by you sharing about your deadline – the other part was from a book I am reading and an idea they gave me
        cheers to us both getting done what we need to tackle this month –
        🙂

        Liked by 1 person

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