Routines

I've thought a lot about the whole inspiration thing over the last month. You know, writing when you feel inspired and not forcing yourself to do it when you plain old don't feel like it. I used to do that. More than I like to admit, but then it hit me. Inspiration is a fickle b***h and you can't rely on it to get you to where you want to be. This is tough for me to say since my name literally translated is Inspiration in Hindi, but alas, it's true.

I have daily routines. One of those routines now includes writing. I wake up, get my kids ready for school, drop them off, work out (I can't function without exercise, it's my "me" time), have breakfast, shower, clean up the house, and then I write. All of this while also taking care of a toddler, so sometimes the timing of all of these things can be a bit off. Sometimes I write for fifteen minutes, other times it's a half hour or more (blessed be! Those days are the best).

BUT, not every day. I fit my writing in a few times a week, I don't force myself to do it every day. If I do by some miracle get to write every day, I consider myself lucky and don't pat myself on the back too much. So I have a routine, but I also give myself wiggle room and don't kick myself in the head if I can't get to it every day.

So why did I change my whole writing while inspired philosophy? Well, because inspiration will come. Sooner or later while your getting it done, it will suddenly hit you and you'll be so glad that you're already clacking away on those keys and don't have drop what you're working on in order to grab your laptop and open up that document (although those moments still happen and I'm so glad I can a phone with a notes app to help out) Also, I want to make a career out of this and that can't happen if I don't actually do any writing.

With that said, breaks can be necessary. Once I'm done with a project, I will take a break. I'll read as much as I possibly can, catch up on my favorite shows (Jane the Virgin and The Flash come to mind) and then get back to it. Everyone has their own way of working and I honestly don't think there's a wrong way to do it as long as it gets done. At the end of the day (or week) if I have something to do show for my work, I'm glad. Progress is progress, and isn't that what all really want? To move forward?

That Time I Moved To Hawaii and Why It Takes So Long For Me To Draft

Yup, I now live in the land of Moana, surfing, beaches, and so so so much more.

You would think that living in paradise meant heaven all day every day, but some things don't change even if your location does.

Lots of mundane things still fill my day. Kids still have school, I still have to drive them there and pick them up, I still have to run errands almost daily, I still have bills to pay (why, bills, why?!?), My husband still has to work every day, I still have to do laundry and clean. And roaches. They don't bother me too much, but I never saw them when I lived on the mainland. And not just the small annoying ones, but the giant flying kind! A couple flew into our house the other day and both my husband and I kind of freaked out. So all in all the same regular old things as before. Now that I've knocked on paradise and maybe made it seem not all that great let's talk about what has changed.

Beaches. So many beautiful and incredible beaches every where. Sure there are crowds ( I'm already sick of all the tourists lol) but they are so breathtaking. Every weekend we pick a new one to try out and none of  them have disappointed yet. Then there are the hikes that feel like a trek through the jungle, filled with guava trees and lush green scenery. With no snakes! One of my favorite things about Hawaii is the no snakes. Then there is the access to all the tropical fruit. Mangos aplenty, the guavas, papayas, apple bananas, pineapples, lychees, so much yumminess. Then there's the weather. I will miss fall, I assure you I will, but winter? No thanks. See ya later snow! Oh, and the sunsets, every single one is incredible. Plus rainbows everywhere! You see one pretty much daily.

This has been a life changing experience and we've only been here for a few months!

Okay, now let's get back to the writing bit.
Drafting. Ugh. I know, the word can send waves of nausea and shivers of fear down a lot of writers' backs. But I actually don't mind it too much. Although it does take me months to get through just one single draft. Why? Because I can't stop going back and fixing things. Every writer has their way of working and mine is as follows: Write a chapter or two. Go back the next few days and reread those chapters and fix them. Rinse and repeat. Yup, I revise as I draft.

I wish I could write a single draft and not go back. That's not how I operate. This does have some downsides, like the amount of time it takes to get the work done. But there are perks as well: fewer grammatical issues to fix, fewer consistency and plot issues. And, yes, I do go back and revise even more after the draft is done.

Currently I am finishing up my latest manuscript and hoping to have it in some beta hand ASAP. I also have another story idea percolating and I can't wait to get working on it!

Well, happy writing all! Hope you like the pictures, I plan on posting more. Hawaii is gorgeous and surreal and completely magical at times.