Dear Carolyn,

Since I have a little time on my hands *cough, cough* I've tried to create and remain true to a writing schedule. I'm proud to say that I did it for an entire day.

So otherwise, I had closets to straighten out, laundry to do, naps to take, and lots of chatting with friends. I also baked tons of things that we haven't eaten and cooked and well, I've done lots of things that haven't involved getting word counts done.

I've also written, to tell you the truth. But not as a sit down and get those words on paper, young lady! kind of writing. More like doodling and moving the story along slowly.

I don't know why it's so hard. I don't understand how people put their creative selves on a time clock. I always look around and can think of a million things that need doing...

I just had a thought when writing that. Do you think it's because I don't take it seriously? Washing floors and feeding my family is serious. Writing isn't. Or if I treat the writing as seriously as a real job then I have to treat myself seriously too?

Naw, ain't nothing serious about me.

I just remember a teacher ages ago who said she always had to have chocolate before she wrote. So she'd bake brownies to infuse her home with the scent, she'd eat a candy bar... whatever it took. For me writing is fun and wonderful but I hate to have things on my plate that need doing because they nag me. And I don't have the ability to compartmentalize. So I have to get things done first before I feel free enough to write.

Maybe I should try to get all my chores done today early so I can write later. That sounds like a good idea.