The most common advice for new writers is to keep writing. Serious writers devote a few hours to the craft every day. I try, but too often, life gets in the way.

Serious writers would say that life getting in the way is just an excuse. If I really wanted to, I’d find the time. Writing blogs and “how to” books are full of stories about super busy people who manage to squeeze in an hour or two of writing. It’s about discipline, and making time for the things that are most important.

Writing has always been an important part of my life. I can’t help it. Something inside of me compels me. Before I learned the alphabet, I filled countless pages with rows of tiny little circles. I believe this was my first attempt at either journaling or writing stories. My closet is full of the journals I’ve kept for more than thirty years.

My day job is the biggest obstacle to writing regularly. But not really, since my work involves a lot of writing, too. It’s not the same as writing a novel or a memoir. But it’s still writing, so I say it counts. Good thing, because for the next month or two, I need to focus on a huge project I’ve been putting off for the last few months.

Yes, I’d rather write for fun. Who wouldn’t? But the truth is, I’m currently in a waiting mode with my two books. So I’m glad to have the work project to focus on.

Last weekend I finished revising Glass Houses. I’m pleased with the current draft of my memoir, but to make sure it’s the best it can be,  I’ve asked some of the writers in my writer’s group to look it over for me. Once I hear back from them I suspect at least one more round of revisions will be needed before I’m ready to submit the manuscript to a publisher. Though the manuscript is quite a bit shorter than the original draft, it’s going to take some time for them to get back to me with comments and suggestions.

Meanwhile, the freelance editor I hired to help with Glass Houses is working on Addicted. Thanks to everything I’ve learned from my writer’s group and all the feedback they provided as I was writing it, the first draft of Addicted is in much better shape than the memoir was at the same stage of the process. I expect it will take her a few more weeks to send me her suggestions.

I can wait. Things are still on track to get both manuscripts to publishers between now and the beginning of June. I’m glad to have the work project to keep me busy. Patience is a virtue in short supply here in…

My Glass House