"Don't think about making art, just get it done"-Andy Warhol

My last post for this blog was in August and it was titled, Is it Wrong For A Writer to Hate Writing. At that time, I barely ever wrote because taking care of my toddler was a full-time job.

As of last week, my son started preschool 4 days a week for half days. Now I can be a “full-time” writer again. I’d started to think I would never say this again, but I LOVE WRITING! Just the clicking of the keys as I type fills me with joy. It’s been so long since I’ve had that feeling.

Part of this joy is that I love my current project. I’ve been out of the loop for a while, and I don’t even know if there will be a market for this new territory I’m venturing into. But, I’ve decided not to worry about that. I’m going to take the best of all the advice I’ve been finding on Pinterest lately and just write for me. So far it’s working.

The other part of this joy of writing is coming from the uninterrupted block of time to do it in. Over the past three years, if I’ve wanted to write, I’d have to do it during naptime, when I should be napping. Or on a day my husband took off work. Or when a friend came over to babysit (I was on deadline then). Those rare and short bursts of time, didn’t give me the luxury of taking time to think and plan or continue a thought over several days. There was also a lot of pressure involved with those short burst of time.

Right now, from 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM, I have the house to myself and I feel free to write, or think, or research. Whatever serves the project best.

Whether or not I’ll sell this project when it’s done is unknown. For the moment, it just feels good to be a writer again.

This may sound strange but, I have nothing to say…. Facebook status updates, Twitter, blog posts = nothing, nada, blank empty space. I hate that kind of writing. I love the creative writing that forms pages that become chapters that result in books. But trying to wax poetic in these short trendy forums is excruciating.

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I’m a lover of technology. I enjoy the latest and greatest of whatever Best Buy can offer me…. Except when it comes to e-books. I’ve been intentionally dragging my feet in that area. You’ll never convince me that an electronic device can emulate the tactile experience of holding a paperback book.

I refuse to give up my silent protest of electronic books by purchasing a Nook or a Kindle. But my iPad made me reconsider the idea of digital reading. I don’t have to embrace the technology entirely. I can try out the experience once just for perspective.

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Since I relaunched this blog, there has been a recurring theme: how difficult it is to write with a small child. I know this isn’t a revelation, and that more functional moms manage to work full-time jobs and raise more than one child. But I was a chronic procrastinator struggling to write long before I had a child to blame for my lack of productivity.

This brings me to the topic at hand, alternatives to traditional writing. My ideal writing scenario would be to sit down at the desktop computer in my office for several hours each morning Monday through Friday. But, representing slackers everywhere, I not sure I would do that even if I could spare that much time away from my son.

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In 2008, I published a novel called Lilah’s List about a woman with a list of things to accomplish before she turned thirty. With only two months to go before I turn forty, I had to ask myself, “What do you want to accomplish before your fortieth birthday?”

Thankfully I published my first book in my twenties, so I can check that off the list. I got married and had a baby in my thirties, check and check. I recently lost thirty pounds, and I exercise three times a week. Two more checks, please! But, since becoming a mother, my writing career has taken a backseat to my personal life. So that leaves me with a few writing related things to accomplish by forty.

I let my memberships to my writing groups lapse, I haven’t sent a new proposal to my agent in two years, and my critique group has completely fallen apart. With my personal life in relatively good shape, it’s time for me to think seriously about my writing career again. In the next two months, I want to renew my RWA and WRW memberships, send a new proposal to my agent, and my critique group… well, that depends on the girls, but I’ll keep after them to join me in making writing a priority again.

I always miss Valentine’s day when it’s over. Even though some like to call it a “commercial” holiday, I think they couldn’t be more wrong. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate love and your relationships. Even if you don’t have a significant other, you can call mom, a sibling or a dear friend and tell them you love them.

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The tagline on my current release, Romancing the Chef, says “New Year, New Love.”  For me, this year is about getting reacquainted with an old love of mine… writing.  Since becoming a mom in 2009, my relationship with writing has been on the rocks.  I seriously think writing has considered leaving me.  We don’t spend time together anymore, and when we do, it’s strained at best.  But, this year, I’ve made a commitment to saving my relationship with writing.  We’ve got to get the magic back, and there’s only one way to do it.  We’ve got to get together every single day.

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My new book Romancing the Chef, is near and dear to my heart because it’s a sequel to my very first book Promise Me. Over the years, fans often asked when Veronica Howard from Promise Me would get her own story.  I’m pleased to say that her story is finally here.  Sassy chef Ronnie is traveling to Vegas to participate in a TV cooking contest against her old friend and rival “The Sexy Chef” Ace Brown.

Please enjoy this sneak preview of Romancing the Chef available now at Amazon.com and in stores January 2011:
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I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t really updated my site since my son was born in 2009. I know I’m a rare breed, but it seems I’m one of those people who can only do one thing at a time, and for the past 21 months, that thing has been motherhood.

But I realize, if I’m going to continue to have a career as a writer (a clean house, friends, etc.) I’m going to have to learn to do more than one thing at a time.

So, here I am, trying to update my Web Site and renew my blog. Baby steps, but it’s a start. The good news is that I have a new book coming out!

Romancing The Chef, January 2011