June 23, 2011

excuses

Just a quick note to explain my absence - I have been writing a novel!

Yep, I always wanted to do it, but never had the confidence or the story to actually do it. I tried about two years ago and set that aside. Back in March I needed a new creative project and I found an old journal where I wrote to myself about my big dream to write a novel.  I knew the time was right, I couldn't put it off anymore, so I just started. It took me about 3 months to write, writing a little every day. I finished my first draft at midnight on June 12.

Now I am in the editing process. I am reading my words through and seeing so many flaws. The story is good, but needs so much shaping and pushing and pulling.  This process is not as fun as the initial writing, but without sever editing no one will ever read it.

So on I plod. Making time, showing up to do the work no matter what kind of day I had. I am applying all the processes that I talked about in my book, The Artistic Mother. I am fitting creativity into my busy mommy life.

I would be lost without a creative project. It just happens that this year it is writing.

Kitchen colors!!
Well... and house designing/decorating too. These past few months as I mentioned in previous posts I have been birthing a new apartment. We are converting our garage into a granny flat. It is almost finished (next stop wood floors, then plumbing fixtures, paint touch ups and viola). My head has turned the corner to decorating - today I went to Target to pick out bedding and dish towels. I won't be able to fully furnish the place before we leave for Ireland this summer, but it will be ready enough. I will post pictures next month when it is closer.

Lily, 9 T-shirt painting



And of course, life with children continues. We have been doing a little school, just reading and writing, drawing and crafts, always crafts!

I hope you, dear visitor, are well and I do apologize for disappearing from blog land. All of my creative energy has been tied up in non-internet related activities. And it feels good. I am where I need to be right now.

19 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing your update Shona.Can't wait to read your book. And I know your granny apartment will be beautiful!

    xo
    Donna @ Comin' Home

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  2. It all sounds wonderful. I'm so happy for you. When you come back from Ireland, I'll be done with my creative project, making a baby. Looking forward to reading you novel.

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  3. Wishing you all the luck in the world with your new venture! How exciting to be commencing a different artistic journey.
    Sending you lots of positive thoughts x

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  4. How fantastically exciting!!!Im writing a novel right now too. Its something Ive wanted to do for years, but I didnt think I had the stroy or the "maturity" to write what I wanted to. Now is the time! Im glad to ehar someoneelse is ready to write their novel this year too! Good luck wih editing! :)

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  5. That's wonderful, Shona! Check out my blogroll and you'll see lots of terrific writing blogs I follow. I can point you to the helpful ones with terrific advice for revisions, editing, and querying. Just let me know!

    Good luck and have fun!

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  6. Wow! Congratulations on everything. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more.

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  7. How wonderful...I have written a. Children's novel..only the first draft, but thoroughly enjoyed it..i will never take it further...too hard to imagine even..so wow...good luck with it all...I am sure it will end up wonderfully and ill be looking forward to reading it...enjoy...xxx

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  8. Anonymous9:35 AM

    Shona I just bought a copy of your book in my local bookstore and I love it so far! Just had to come and check out your blog, which I will be visiting now often I'm sure. Thanks for helping me get a jump into being artistic...and a mother! (My little girl is three.)

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  9. Anonymous11:48 PM

    writing!
    how exciting...wondering what its all about, this novel you are working on!
    and good for you...sometimes this internet, although wonderfully enticing...can swallow one up.
    glad all is well and I shall be waiting for pictures from the shores of your Emerald Isle.
    xoxo Eden

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  10. Congratulations! It's always so exciting to follow one's dreams. Best of luck to you. xo

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  11. I am so inspired that you finished the first draft of a book in just three months! Congratulations. I've started writing a memoir, but have hit so many writing blocks I've set it aside for awhile. Like you, I hope to have an inspired moment of coming back to it.

    Have a great summer in Ireland.

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  12. Hello Shona - I am so happy I ran into your book - I am scheduling out projects from "the Artistic Mother'- currently, I've got my basement vacuumed, and the evil art table overhaul is in progress. My husband is floored - art supplies are finally finding homes! Your approach dovetails nicely with 'flylady' principals (15 minutes, esp.) and makes it easier to work a 30 minute reward of art/writing time into my day. Poetry has actually taken more of my time than art, but I'm also plugging away at my first novella. I find it NO coincidence that my pace has picked up after starting your 12 week 'workshop' (should really be 'playshop', though!) My blog tackles 'real-life' + 'art' + parenting + writing - you are really helping inspire me to accomplish more than saying....I wish! Thanks so much, Shona - I hope your summer is wonderful!!

    (woops - contact: sharis.orchid.room@gmail.com, and www.sharis-orchidandmayhem.blogspot.com)

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  13. Anonymous11:30 AM

    That's a fabulous excuse!! I know exactly how you feel, I am writing a novel myself. It seems to swallow you up whole when you're in the middle of it, and it's so much fun! And I agree - the editing part is more difficult, more structured and less room for creativity and fun. But it has to be done (I am into my 3rd round of editing), and we will be so proud when the novels are finished.
    Love your blog - just found you through an old Artful Blogging magazine. Beautiful! I will return! :)

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  14. Anonymous11:31 AM

    That's a fabulous excuse!! I know exactly how you feel, I am writing a novel myself. It seems to swallow you up whole when you're in the middle of it, and it's so much fun! And I agree - the editing part is more difficult, more structured and less room for creativity and fun. But it has to be done (I am into my 3rd round of editing), and we will be so proud when the novels are finished.
    Love your blog - just found you through an old Artful Blogging magazine. Beautiful! I will return! :)

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  15. cant wait to hear more about the novel! sounds like your days are filled with such creativity, so wonderful. take care
    Vanessa

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  16. Such great news! Can't wait for your novel!

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  17. Anonymous11:23 PM

    you who stranger...
    sooo happy you are writing...it is a wonderful process...i shall be thinking of you as i write mine too...in those wee hours of the night when everyone in the house is fast asleeep...sweet dreams xoxo Eden

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