A New Head of Steam

Writing is such an up-and-down occupation. Hell, so is life. Writers work to convey life in their writing, therefore we are roller-coastering right along. The Rogues Gallery Writers are no different. Life intrudes, kicks us around a bit, and then we pick ourselves up (often through our words) and get on with it.

Getting behind the keyboard can be challenging. I realize that only writer understand this. A non-writer will say, "C'mon! How hard can it be?" Pretty damned tough when the yard needs mowed, the son gets suspended from school, you back into the neighbors car and you strain your femoral bicep ligament and muscle. Then there's meals, phone calls, emails, meetings, mail, bills, your other job, children, spouses, friends, pets, spills, broken dishes, leaky roofs, preparations for presentations to various groups and a whole torrid-paced pile of other 'stuff'.

One of my solutions to the "everything-else-takes-precedence-over-my-writing" syndrome is to buck up, give up a little sleep time, and make sure I clock at least 1000 words each day. Two nights of getting to bed an hour late has spurred me to write during the day - like right now (noon) - so that I can get a good night's sleep.

It's amazing how discomfort will effect a change in your patterns. I'm promoting a "discomfort" approach to writing. Make your life a little uncomfortable by making writing a priority at some critical point in your day. You'll then find a way to get it done at a less inconvenient time.

I believe most writers will tell you they LOVE the process of writing. It's the process of GETTING TO THE WRITING that squelches them. I know this is the case for this Rogue. I handle more in a day than many people do in a week. But I deny myself the one thing I desire to "hand my hat on" professionally - writing. That's bullshit. We must stop holding ourselves back. We need to forge ahead and make things happen.

The Rogues are gearing up to do just that. We have some aggressive goals that, quite frankly, scare the hell out of me. I know, Rogues should be tough. We have a goal of producing two books by the first week in December. This is no small task people. Two books at once with two months to get them done is aggressive. This is a "don't try this at home" kinda gig.

We're also producing Rogues Gallery T-shirts that will go on sale at the end of the month. We are also up for all kinds of awards at the Florida Writer's Association Conference at the end of the month. Two of us, Panthera and I, just published Loves Lost and Found.

I look at all that is going on and I'm amazed. Too often I only see things in a microcosm and have to step back and look at what's really going on. The Rogues are gearing up for a Blitzkrieg. Our new head of steam is building. We're preparing to cut loose again. Watch out! Ready or not, here we come!!!!