Rest

Hi Everyone,

I recently finished a re-write and some editing work I’ve been doing on a new book, and when I finish the intense concentration of a writing project (when I do nothing else except focus on the book, with as few distractions and interruptions as possible), afterwards, I usually catch up on other things and ‘real life’. After I finish a book, I see friends for lunch and dinner, spend time with my kids if we’re in the same city, get my house organized, catch up on mail and everything piled up on my desk, and tend to my other projects (art, music, interior design, or other). I do none of those things when I’m writing, and after I finish, my life is a flurry of activity. I make appointments, talk to lawyers and accountants, go to the movies, and it’s also an opportunity for people I work with to want to have meetings with me. It’s usually VERY busy when I finish writing. 

Yesterday, I had an email from my editor, telling me to ‘get some rest’ now that I’ve finished the editing work, and I really had to laugh. I had talked to all my children, met with several employees, gone through a mountain of papers on my desk, had 5 conference calls at midnight with France, returned a bunch of calls, checked up on repairs in both my houses. I hadn’t stopped all day, and all I could think of was that my life when I’m not writing is anything BUT restful, and I jokingly told her that I can hardly wait to start writing again so I can get some rest!!! There is something very pure and peaceful about focusing on work to that extent, to the exclusion of all else. I don’t go anywhere, see anyone, and try not to think of anything else (except my kids if they need me) when I’m writing or focusing on a book in whatever stage. Real life is a LOT more exhausting, dealing with people, problems, obligations, decisions, bills, taxes, lawyers, kids’ problems, and trying to problem solve all day. Writing is a LOT more relaxing and less stressful, and sometimes it’s a wonderful form of escape into another world, even if it is hard work, (in a way it’s like reading a book, only you’re creating it)……something tells me that after a few more weeks of ‘rest’, I’ll be writing again soon!!!  

Love, Danielle