Eva’s Byte #216: The Setback

Not the first, and certainly not the last of many temporary setbacks while writing my current Work in Progress, I’m back at the drawing board. My most historic setback occurred when, after 8 years, I picked up the slack from Chapter 3 to resume writing my multi-award winning Contemporary, 'An Enlightening Quiche' (2016).

You can’t hurry writing, no you'll just have to wait
You gotta just give it time
No matter how long it takes

(Poetic license taken with “You Can’t Hurry Love,” a 1966 song originally recorded by The Supremes on the Motown label).

After a hiatus of 10 days, I’m in the throes of the Great American Novel, drafting chapter 28 in spurts of 100 – 200 words per day. A mere pittance in comparison to other Indies who don’t allow life to bog them down, spilling thousands of words per session.

The fact that I’ve published four major works since I retired from teaching, having embarked on a writing career in 2007, astounds me. I’m not even taking into account all of my random memoirs, Sixties essays, and Rhode Reads in my repertoire. And, without fail, I’ve come up with content for my weekly blog based on my own human condition.

As for projecting a ballpark publication date for my Work in Progress—it ain’t happening, as I will not pigeonhole myself. Nor, am I engaged in a rat race with myself or the Joneses. Although I write the novels I’d like to read, I respect potential readers who deserve a story whose characters linger in the mind and heart after the last page has been turned.

So, however long it takes…