Beginning again…

Every once in a while, when I get frustrated with myself or the book I'm working on, I look at my bookcovers. I get each one framed and I hang it on my office wall, just so I can remind myself that the stuff I write really can turn into a real book on the shelf.

Today's been one of those counting days.

Last week was hard. Really hard. I've been sad about Betsy and just as sad to see my daughter mourn the loss of her godmother. We hosted Tom's family for a few days and that was wonderfully good medicine for me. I got to do laundry and cook and wash dishes and do it all over again. Those are definitely not my usual favorite activities, but I was very grateful for the busy-ness of it all.

Now, though, everyone has gone home and it's time to more forward and do what I do- and what I do is write.

So this morning I began MISSING, Book 1 of my new series for Avon Inspire.  The goal for today was ten pages. I did it-but it took me five hours. Along the way, I ate some yogurt, had innumerable cups of coffee and tea, and did two loads of towels.

And then I got bored and frustrated with myself so I counted books. The bookcovers weren't enough inspiration, so I added all the books that I've finished but are somewhere in the publication process-there are seven of those. Then I counted again.

Grand total?

 MISSING is the 32nd book I'm writing. 32! That's a lot of books, and oh, about 31 more than I ever imagined I'd be able to complete back when I first started eleven years ago.

Now? I feel a little better about things. I'm doing my job. I'm getting things done. And tomorrow, I'll write another ten pages, making little tally marks on a Post-it note as I complete each page.

I'll write more tomorrow here, too. It's hard to move on, but it's the right thing to do. And maybe one day soon, I won't even have to count pages for five hours. And if I do? Well, that's okay. I happen to have lots of time to write. : )

With blessings, and with thanks to all of you for your very kind notes.

Shelley