Happy November!

I looked into my yard this past weekend, and had to take a picture of the birdhouse lounging in autumn deliciousness. Autumn colors amplify the mood, and in this challenging academic year, I could use all the mood boosters I can get.

I’m officially at 96,004 words in Eclipse. I spend a minimum of an hour writing per day, with weekends taking up the majority of my creative fuel. I easily burn through seven to ten hours, but I have to admit that this is not a good idea and not a flex. The burnout is real, and I do have to stay conscious of how badly I’m neglecting my personal relationships and my health. I love my solitude, but I do not enjoy remaining solitary. That said, the progress is going strong and I see a light at the end of the tunnel as I work through the dreadful middle of my draft.

I’ve also reached a point personally where I’m more confident about sharing my work with peers. I don’t recommend anyone live in solitary confinement when it comes to writing. It’s like riding a carousel within your mind, effectively turning us into unreliable narrators for our own work.

It isn’t always easy finding writing friends, but when you do, hold on to them even when your styles clash. There is something to learn from a peer who has a different take on the art than you might. I am not an avid romantasy reader, for example, however sharing my story with a romantasy writer and vice versa has made us more open-minded about the themes, characters, and world building of our stories. There are also some ideas that overlap.

I do desire honest, constructive criticism because I’ve spent so long never showing a soul my work that I don’t trust myself to see plot holes, shifts in tone and mood, and overall continuity. The comradery within my in-person group leaves me feeling optimistic.