The One Where I Might be Crazy

I've decided to write a novel.

This, in itself, isn't crazy. Lofty, perhaps. The crazy part is that in the past few weeks I've been intentionally culling my workload down to where I can focus almost all of my attention on this book throughout the summer.

Have I mentioned it's been nothing short of a miracle that I've managed to build up a relatively steady clientele?

So, now you get where the "crazy" label applies.

The biggest problem is that I'm not sure what the novel is about. (Yeah -- that's kind of a big deal.) The thing is I've got no less than 4 potential novels outlined (or copiously noted), so now I've just got to pick the one I want to spend the summer writing.

It's not as easy as it sounds.

Should I go with the story of a young, yet washed up screenwriter? The straight-laced HR manager who begins living different versions of her life? The niece of a famous advice columnist who accidentally rewrites her aunt's column? Or the story set in the afterlife?

Tough choice.

Which would you want to read?

The One Where I Try and Catch Up

Yes, yes, I know it's been a while. QUITE a while, in fact. But in my last post I confided that I cannot multitask, and people, the past 9 months have been nothing but a testament to that.

So, what's gone on since last September?

Lots of normal things -- holidays, birthdays, the close of one year and the start of a new year. The thing that still has me shaking my head in disbelief is that I've been working steadily throughout it all. As in, no down time whatsoever.

This is amazing to me, almost unfathomable.

I've learned a lot about writing since I took the plunge in Spring of 2011 to make a career out of it. Some highlights:

-- Though long-term, recurring projects are always best for the bank account, I tend to enjoy the short, one-off gigs more.
-- I'm much better at this than I thought I would be.*
-- There is a lot of competition out there.
-- I seem to write best in the early morning (who knew?)

* Not that I thought I would be bad at it, I simply thought everyone else was going to be better at it than me.

This jump into freelance writing came on the heels of a miscarriage and the subsequent decision not to have any more kids. Though I've occasionally felt pangs of guilt for not providing a sibling for our super fantastic daughter (who would make a super fantastic sister), I've never questioned or regretted that decision. So, that's good. The last thing I need is something else to generate more angst.

So, that whole growing a human thing? I'm pleased to report it's going well.