My son turned three last week, and for me that is a milestone. Not just because he’s an absolute joy who brings so much laughter to our lives, but because I can mark my journey as a writer around his life (almost like parentheses). Before he was born, I was feeling defeated. My job was turning sour with the addition of a new jerk boss who was let go later apparently, but I was already moved to New Mexico by then. I was too fatigued to write, had been away from my novel for a while, and needed a push. Then after he was born, I realized I needed my life back as a writer. I worked myself so hard from then on, completing two novels and still working myself so hard. It doesn’t seem to get easier even though you get in more practice.
I’ve been getting up almost two hours before my son every morning to try to get more writing done. The afternoons are just not enough anymore. I really like writing early. It’s dark outside, but I get to watch the sun rise from my desk. I don’t have to worry about getting any other “busy work” done or think about preparing dinner. That time is exclusively mine. My intention is to finish a new story I’m working on, complete an article, and get back to work on my third novel, Amit’s Ability. In the mean time, I am still editing my short story collection and want to get that to them as soon as possible.
Am I going to wear myself out? Probably. But for the time being, the adrenaline of feeling even more committed than before, sacrificing some sleep for the word, makes me feel even more like a writer.
Rejections to note: generic ones from The Louisville Review, The Threepenny Review (it’s hard to submit my “best work” when they don’t take simultaneous submissions, and my “best work” is already out there, circulating), Cutthroat (I entered a story into their contest and was not even a Finalist), and Copper Nickel. CN bothers me because I am a supporter, and the rejection was “Dear Writer.” $@#>! I know for a fact that the story I submitted is not that bad that it deserves that sort of rejection. It really turned me off, and I think I will not submit there again. Journals: you want me to stop submitting? Send me a “Dear Writer” rejection, and most likely I will. I received a very nice rejection from Hunger Mountain, which is nice since you have to pay $3.00 to submit. “We read it with pleasure” the rejection said. Yay.
I have my interview this Thursday with Albuquerque Magazine. Wish me luck!
I LOVE my early morning writing sessions. I can usually get about three hours of uninterrupted time before the house rises and interferes. I think I get more done in those three hours on the weekends than I do the entire rest of the week. Perhaps it is because I love them that I am so focused. I really thought I would exhaust myself rising so early like that, but that hasn’t been the case. I really look forward to losing sleep on the weekends so I can have my writing time.
Keep it up. I hope you have the same experience I do.