Way back at the beginning of 2015 (oh, so long ago), I decided that this year instead of New Year’s resolutions, I would build a set of monthly challenges for myself that would stretch my creativity and my tenacity, in some cases.
I challenged myself during the month of April to write a blog post every day and by golly, here it is, April 30 and I’ve met the challenge. Now, I didn’t challenge myself to be intellectual or witty every day … thank heavens. But I wrote.
What do I think about this?
Oh, I’m SO taking tomorrow off and maybe even Saturday (from writing blog posts, not my regular writing). Some wrote years ago that creative (fiction) writing and blog writing are two different animals and it is not easy to try to do both. I will admit to struggling more this month with writing Book 10 than I did during the month of March.
Tomorrow I start a new challenge. I really wish I were more of an artist. My mother was amazing and it annoys the heck out of me that I never managed to be better at this. So, during the month of May, my challenge is to sketch or draw, doodle, color … do something visually artistic. Maybe I’ll scan some of them and you’ll see what I’ve done, but more than likely, I’ll leave them tucked away for myself.
Today has been buggy … annoyingly buggy. The dead fly count is growing rapidly around me. And this morning, a loud buzzing sound in the front window had TB’s attention. I was getting ready to head out to do some errands and when I realized a yellow jacket had managed to get inside (oh, I’m glad I didn’t know this last night, I would never have slept!), I knew I had to deal with it before leaving or I’d worry about TB the entire time I was gone. His demise was achieved with many layers of paper towels between he and me and a quick flush. As much as I love this place, I’m not what you call a real outdoorsy kind of a girl.
The Bellingwood boxed set is still free – through midnight tonight (April 30). There’s nothing more I love than giving away these books so that people can find their way to Bellingwood. I love that community and those characters so much. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m in this to make a living … but now that I’ve started writing these stories, there’s no way I can stop.
Spring in Iowa has been absolutely glorious this year. While I was out today, farmers were in the fields and a dust cloud was rising across the countryside. Grass is growing and dandelions are popping up everywhere. Love ’em or hate ’em, they’re such a pretty sign of spring. The trees aren’t fully leafed out, but once they are, I’ll lose sight of the bridge. Since I was a child, that bridge signified our arrival at the happiest place on earth (seriously … no, not Disney). Even today, I drive slowly across the bridge, look down the river and then turn my eyes home. I love this bridge.
TB has been exhausting himself every day now that the weather has gotten so beautiful. He goes outside as soon as possible and then about an hour and a half later, he’ll show up and collapse in front of me. I have more energy than ever before … just because I’m not trying to use it all up in my attempt to stay warm. I’m still not outdoorsy … might as well give up trying.
Happy end of April! Tomorrow is a new day!
