Tuesday, July 31, 2012

How Dare it Be August?

Summer wanes.

How dare it be August?

To tell the truth, I'm not sure I've made the most of it.

I know compared to some, I've done a lot. But compared to others I'm a sloth, and anyway, the only thing that matters is if it feels enough to me.

It doesn't.

I know in my heart what I've done and haven't done.

I've swum less.

I've written less.

I've read less.

I've been less.

I shouldn't be wasting hours and days.

Partly, it's the usual distractions. facebook and twitter, I mean YOU!

And, partly, I've been lazy.

And, partly, things hurt more than they used to. *shakes fists at hip and lower back*

This photo pains me, as much as fills me
. . . why must everything feel symbolic?
But it's August.

And I need to get on the ball.

I'm swimming Swim Across American's 5K on August 11th to help raise money for cancer research and am going to attempt a 5-mile swim with the West Neck Pod on August 25th.  So there's that.

My Frankie revisions are due September 1st and I'm still working on them. I have the right to turn in my next "option" manuscript four months after that. I should have already been on that project instead. Plus, I have a wonderful independent publisher interested in my women's fiction piece Swim Back to Me, which needs to be rewritten.

I long to have my women's fiction published.

And, yet, I've wasted time.

I'm wasting time.

I squandered away too much of July, and I'm feeling it.

So, tomorrow is August.

And, I plan to milk it for all it's worth.

Let's see what I can get done.

- gae

8 comments:

  1. Well, I know one (among others) of the outstanding things you've done is mentored a large number of beginning or on their way authors! You are inspirational to so many-thanks for that!

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  2. Jody, to hear what? Whether I make the most of August (so far, I've made an unexpected hair cut appointment, er... but I will! I swear I will!) or hear something on your work?!

    Amy, thank you. You dont know how much that means to me. Teachers Write has taken some good amount of time and I'm so proud and honored to be a part of it... but it shouldn't be stopping me from getting everything else done! No excuses, right?!

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  3. You make my head spin. I think you've done a lot. You had that online spree thingy, and yeah, hosted all those people on Friday feedback, and a bunch of stuff.

    Me, meh.

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  4. Megan, I'm no dummy, I know how to make stuff look like a bunch of stuff. I also know what I'm capable of, and where I'm wasting time. There are few things I hate more than wasting my own time. And yet, and yet, and yet. . . <3

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  5. I know you know what I'm about to say, but I'm going to say it anyway. you need the space between the productivity in order to be productive. it's all part of the whole and you every moment you weren't outwardly doing anything, you were percolating inwardly. but you won't really take this in because you're driven, and it's that drive that gets you through--so onward my talented and sweet friend....

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  6. Hi Gae,

    I agree with Amy. You have completely inspired me all summer long. You know how much I LOVE Friday Feedback. You may not have met your writing goals, swimming goals, and reading goals, but you have inspired many newbie writers (very likely, many published writers as well).

    Good luck with your swims on August 11th and 25th - so cool! After all of this Olympic swimming, you must be inspired (I can't wait to get back in the pool - the ocean makes me way too nervous - I'm getting old).

    BTW - I love the picture!:) Thanks again for helping me find my way with my writing. I have a ways to go, but I hope that you will continue to offer awesome advice.

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  7. Andy, if I truly have been that inspiring, then I take it back. My July was more productive than I thought. :) I'm glad you have found some inspiration through my blog. Your comments always make the choice of taking the time to write it feel like a good one.

    As for the Olympic swimmers, they really are amazing, aren't they?

    gae

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