I’m disappointed I didn’t do everything I said I would do this summer.
Having finished the third draft of Creep on July 5th, I had big plans. I was going to read a lot, write a lot, research a lot, and generally be super productive.
Yeah, that didn’t happen. Not writing-wise, anyway.
I did get to go to New York for ThrillerFest and I learned a lot. Beyond that, everything else I did had nothing whatsoever to do with writing. And now that’s summer’s over, I’m dismayed at myself and feeling awfully guilty.
I didn’t read as much as I wanted to. Only three books in the past two months.
I didn’t make a lot of progress on my current novel. Strategized, yes, but not a lot of actual writing took place.
I didn’t finish my agent research. Of the 180-ish agents on my list, I’ve researched about 75. I forgive myself for this one just a little. It’s fucking boring.
My query letter reads the same as it did back in June. No excuses here.
And the synopsis I need to write summarizing my 400-plus page book into 5 concise pages of plot point and character development? Never mind finished… it doesn’t exist.
So what the hell have I been doing?
I spent time with my mom and stepdad, we built a huge deck in the backyard, we got a new car, and we got two new kittens. We rented movies. I slept a lot. I saw Showboat at the Village Theater and spent my birthday at the Teatro ZinZanni. I changed my hair color. I gardened. We barbecued.
And that’s about it. In some ways, it really was an awesome summer. 🙂 I feel rejuvenated, relaxed, and believe it or not, BORED.
This weekend is Labor Day weekend, and other than the U.S. Open (tennis), Labor Day weekend has always symbolized the end of summer and a new beginning.
Which, for my life here in the Northwest, means cooler temperatures, only patches of sunshine, mist over the Cascades, and rain. Perfect for writing. September and October have always been my favorite months and I am so looking forward to getting back into work mode full swing.
Summer is great, but I’m happiest when I’m working.