This week has been a difficult one for writing. I could share with you a tale of woe, lamenting the various obstacles that have kept me from my writing. But it would only be half true. You see, while there are a number of obstacles to writing, I alone allow them to distract me. I am my biggest obstacle.
You know writers. We all have ADHD and are easily distracted by shiny objects. I’m no different.
The truth is, I’ve been working for several months to simplify my life. I’ve tried to remove myself from every obligation that didn’t help me achieve my goals as a writer.
I stopped writing film reviews. I ended my web design consulting. I curtailed my Facebook activity. And I’ve tried to cut down on my weekly consumption of television.
So you’d think I’d have plenty of time for writing, right? Not so.
For one thing, I’m trying to read more. Which is always beneficial to a writer. I’ve taken on a few new responsibilities at the Confabulator Cafe. Now, in addition to being a contributor and WordPress administrator, I’m also an editor. Finally, I’m also working on couple of top-secret projects that take a few hours each week.
What it comes down to is this. Writing is important to me, but there are bills to pay and work to be done. There are only 24 hours in a day, and if I don’t get a few hours of sleep I get cranky.
The problem is that no matter how much I try to clear my schedule, I still have a thousand things to do. So what do I do? I keep writing.
In the past two months, I’ve completed or rewritten three stories and submitted two for publication. The third — my first flash fiction story, “Head of a Pin” — was published here on the Confabulator Cafe
I write when I can. I edit when I am able. Most importantly, I continue to submit my stories for publication.
Nothing –- not even myself –- will get in my way.
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