May 17, 2011

Lessons Learned

It's been a long week and I'd like to share a few things I've learned. Ready?

1 - I can go a whole week without blogging and NOT DIE!  Yeah, that's right, peeps. It's been a whole week and the roof didn't cave in, I'm still alive and all is well. In fact, I'm doing GREAT!

2 - Unplugging from the internet is quite refreshing--AND PRODUCTIVE.  I've been working on The Crystor, doing major rewrites, and have had minimal presence online. I don't even feel guilty about it. WOOT!

3 - My muse is BAAACK!!  You heard it here first. It's been over a year since I was able to sit down and actually get into that ZONE where you lose track of time because you're so involved in the story. My characters are in my head 24/7 and it feels WONDERFUL. I've missed them. I didn't realize how much until they came back.

4 - Doing a 12 hour writing marathon is NOT good for my back. Last Saturday I participated in a marathon sponsored by Tristi Pinkston wrote like mad women (and men) from noon to midnight. We were supposed to take ten minute breaks every hour, but I was stupid and wrote right through them. By 8:00pm I was hurting and by 10:00 I wanted to cry. I tried medication, heat, ice, my son rubbing it and pillows to give me support, but nothing helped. I made it to midnight, but have spent the past four days slowly getting better. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED the marathon, but next time I'm taking the breaks and not pushing myself so hard.

AND 5 - You can NOT judge a book by it's cover. I recently received NIA, by Mella Reese, and was asked to review it for a blog tour. At first glance, I cringed. I wasn't in love with the cover and thought it looked like maybe some of the "self published" books I've read over the years I really struggle getting through. BOY OH BOY WAS I WRONG.  From the first page, I was hooked. What a great book. I read it from beginning to end in one day, mostly because I couldn't put it down. I'll tell you more about it on May 25th when I post the review. Watch for it!

That's it for me today. Have you had any mind opening experiences this week?

16 comments:

  1. What an awesome list of stuff learned! Best of all? Your ENTHUSIASM!!! I love it!

    Congrats on EVERYTHING! Well, not the back pain, but yeah . . . congrats on writing again!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just love your vibe through this whole darn post. YAY!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. The joy in your voice was contagious. Loved reading about your experiences.
    I did the back-marathon writing, self imposed, a while back. Oh my. I was in a ball of pain for days. Hope you are better.
    Happy writing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I learned the same thing! We were essentially without wireless or internet for 2 weeks, and tho I could keep posting on my Blackberry, I couldn't surf the net to visit blogs. Actually I felt a LOT more productive. I really must cut back on my internet/blogging time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Glad some time away from the Internet was productive for you. I really need to cut back if I ever hope to finish revisions...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm so happy your muse is back! I'm sorry your back was so bad, and I'm glad it's getting better.

    Good luck on The Crystor! I'm still waiting to find out what happens next! :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cheering and dancing! YAY! Your muse is back and I'm so excited for you. Congratulations and good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Yeah for you! That's so wonderful. I hope your back feels better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow - a 12-hour writing marathon? That's awesome!!! (except for the back problems, of course...) Hope your back feels better soon!

    I can't feel guilty about being off-line either on occasion. You're right - totally refreshing. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unplugging is very productive. Yay, on finding your muse. Woot!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's amazing what a difference the minimizing of distractions can be.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I don't do anything for 12 hours--not even sleep.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great post! The internet is SUCH a time-suck! Glad to hear you're alive and writing!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I really need to take that don't judge a book by its cover to heart. I just can't help it! I usually buy books based on their covers and titles. But congratulations on getting your muse back. I couldn't imagine being dormant for over a year- but then again, I've been a painting hiatus for over 4 months; so I feel ya on some level.

    Sara

    ReplyDelete