Pitfalls of Research: ROW80 Update

My kids went back to school, and the first thing I wanted to do was write.

Score one for progress, especially after a lackluster summer of writing. (But plenty of living. And I truly believe the two are closely intertwined.)

To get back in the writing mode, I picked up my two research books. One about wolves, and one about the Indians from Manitou Springs in Colorado. Both hold keys to my next book's storyline.

The positive... the books had me furiously jotting down ideas.

sourceThe negative... distraction. For example, one book mentioned a simple phrase. The word nerd that I am, I was suddenly struck with an intense curiosity about the phrase's origin. Note: this prompted a post that will appear on Friday. The phrase: bat out of hell.

Are you the curious sort? Will research for one thing send you searching for the answer to another?

So, I didn't get done as much as I wanted, but it was the first day back to creating a schedule. The most important piece, in my mind... the excitement I felt to get back to writing.

Since ROW80 is as much about support as it is about goals, I have to mention a comment Beth Camp left on my last update post, A Day in the Life . Her comment:

Despite the intensity of the day, the poop, the rushing back and forth, the sense of being on the brink of something brand new for your girls, the beginning of the school year, all shows your love for them and commitment to family. Underlying this frenetic reality, is the pull to write. Once they begin school, flip flops aside, new shoes donned, I believe you will find uncluttered time again to write. Persevere! Organize! Schedule! Seize the moment! And celebrate that creativity that pushes you on.

Life has a funny way of putting obstacles in my writing path. Sometimes my focus needs to be elsewhere, such as family issues. But, other times, I need to Persevere! Organize! Schedule! Seize the moment! Thanks, Beth.

But I'm truly grateful for the passion to write.

Speaking of passion, Shan Jeniah Burton wrote a great ROW80 sponsor post this past week: Do I Really Have To? The Puritan Work Ethic and Writing with Passion . If you missed it, check it out. I found it inspiring.

My goal for the rest of the week... let the passion of writing take over and celebrate creativity. I'm excited. Wishing everyone a wonderful week full of their passion.