Hi Everyone,
It’s so nice to be back on the blog again. Time sure does fly!
And speaking of time flying, here we are at the end of January, and I’ll bet I’m the last person here to be putting away Christmas decorations! But as of today, that’s done. As much as I love having them up, it feels like such a breath of fresh air to finally stow everything away until next year. What with trying to make progress on writing a book, plus a husband who loves the decorations and doesn’t want to see them put away too soon, we almost made it to February this time.
So now, I can get back to focusing on my manuscript-in-progress. I really like the characters, the plot and the setting. I just hope this story starts cooperating, because my daughter-in-law and I have the same due date–only mine is for a book, and hers is for a baby. What an exciting time this will be! I can barely wait to meet this new little member of our family. And as this son and his family live less than an hour away, this means some serious grandma time!! Often, I hope.
Which brings me back to my own work-in-progress. I just sat down to figure out how many pages I need to write per day to meet my deadline. Now that the story is part way done, I’ve also been working hard on mapping out the rest of it, wanting to make it as strong a story as I can. Timelines and lists and charts are now filling up a notebook by my keyboard, and I’ve been brainstorming different ways some of the subplots could go to make it all work better. And all the while, a little voice is whispering in my ear “Yippee! It won’t be long now, and the baby will be here.”
So how about you? Have you had deadlines or goals to meet, and found it challenging to focus and get it all done? Any advice for the easily distracted? :)
Looking out the window of my office (see photo) makes me shiver, and look forward to spring. Best wishes to you all for a lovely winter–and extra good wishes to those of you out East who have already had way too MUCH winter this past week. Stay safe, and keep warm!
Roxanne Rustand
USA Today bestselling author Roxanne Rustand is the author of over thirty-five traditionally published novels, and four indie novels. Prior to 2007 she wrote for the secular market, but since then has been happily focused on inspirational fiction and sweet romance. A Golden Heart winner in 1995, she has received two RT Bookclub Magazine Reviewers' Choice Awards, and has been nominated for an RT Bookclub Magazine Career Achievement Award. She is currently writing for Harlequin's Love Inspired line, and is continuing with self publishing. She and her husband live in the country with three horses, two goofy rescue dogs, and a half-dozen barn cats.
Congratulations on the anticipated arrival of the new family member, Roxanne! Unfortunately, I can’t give you any advice on avoiding distractions because it doesn’t take much for me to lose my focus. Speaking of, I’d have a real hard time staying focused with that view from your office. Yes, it looks cold, but oh so beautiful. Good luck with your deadline!
Congrats on the new baby(ies). Right now I only have self-imposed deadlines, but they’re kicking my tush. Trying to get them done AND maintain all of my other responsibilities, well, it’s a struggle.
And I’m with Jill, if I had a view like that out my office window, I’d have a little trouble staying focused too. :)
Yay for babies! But what a distraction, for sure! And as one whose kiddos are near both grandmas, your grandbaby is a lucky kiddo. :) grandma is always the best .
Congratulations on your due dates!! Wonder which one will appear first? New grandbaby or you’ve met your deadline lol. I would be distracted by that view. I’d want to go outside and play. Happy writing and anticipating!
Exciting times for you, Roxanne!
I have no advice to offer regarding distractions. I sometimes try to keep the blinds closed to help me focus, but the computer is as much a distraction as the scenery outside. Maybe turn off your internet for a specified time. I’ve done that when on deadline and it’s helped, but then I wonder if I’m missing anything important and that becomes a distraction lol.
Congrats on the grandbaby! My youngest (age 3.5) lives across the yard, and there is nothing like grandma/grandgirl time. She came running in here the other day and threw herself in my arms for a big snuggle like it had been months instead of a couple of days since we’d seen each other!
I’m not the best person to give advice on distractions, either. “Oh, look! Squirrel!” about sums that up. Sigh.
I’ve had Christmas decorations up far into January before also because of a deadline.
Love your view! Congratulations on your new grandbaby and your new book! As for distractions…I’m an administrative assistant, and I realized this morning that when I prepped earlier for a mailing I’m sending today, I put the stamps on the wrong corner of about 100 envelopes. Obviously I was not paying enough attention! =)
I give myself deadlines and then, have a hard time sticking to them. :-) Oh, well… everything gets done eventually. Congratulations on the new grand baby. :-)
Empathy here… I have a February 15 deadline I’m working hard to complete… as soon as I get off the internet! No babies around here, which is a GOOD thing as my daughter’s only 14. :)
No deadlines here, but I do like to make a list of chores to get done each week. I am a huge list-maker, so I tend to write down what I want to get done & then have the satisfaction of crossing it off when it’s done. I’ve disciplined myself enough to say I’ll do such & such an amount before I can turn on the computer or read. That’s kind of my “reward” for staying on task! I just feel too guilty if I don’t stick to this method….lol!
Congrats on the upcoming grandbaby!! We have an almost 2 yr old one & I can remember the anticipation as the due date drew near. Almost more than the anticipation of my own children….lol!
And I love the view out your window! In a way, I miss all that snow….makes one want to hunker down and read :-)
Thank you, Jill, for your congratulations! Yes–looking out the window can be really distracting. I’ll realize that the dogs should go outside….or I should do chores….or, lately I’ve become more interested in photography again, and I think–gosh, I could go outside and take pictures!!! :)
Hi GInger,
I am totally impressed by those who can work on self-imposed deadlines, and I think nothing is as challenging as that. Good for you! And best wishes on your deadlines!
Elizabeth, that’s what I’d like to think –grandmas are best! :) It certainly is a lot of fun!!
I’m hoping that I’ll get my manuscript done BEFORE baby comes….because the baby will be the ultimate, exciting distraction! But, I’m guessing his mom is hoping to be done sooner, rather than later!
Kimberly, LOL! That is so true. I need to use Mac Freedom to block internet access on my main desktop AND the laptop up in the kitchen or I wander off into the internet to do on-the-spot research, then get sidetracked into FB and email…. shame on me! :)
Valerie,
How incredibly sweet your granddaughter is!! And how wonderful that she is so close by. Lucky you!
You made me laugh and laugh with your squirrel reference. We all quote that movie line all the time! And actually are living it all the time, too–all day long–because our golden retriever drives us crazy with his squirrel sightings and demands to go in…and out….and in….and out…. :)
Merrillee, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who has gone well into January! LOL!
Oh, Katy–you made me chuckle. That is something I would do!! Oops! :)
Exactly what happens to me!! Thanks for the congratulations!
Best wishes with your deadline, Lee!! Your daughter is such a fun age…I miss have our daughter at that stage. It was such fun to go out to lunch, movies and shopping with her!
Oooh, I love lists too. To the point that I’ll ADD items that weren’t on the list, that I did also, just for the satisfaction of marking them off. LOL!
I agree—it is such fun waiting for grandbabies! I was sad when I realized that we were done having our own, but now we can enjoy this all over again!
Congratulations on the expected delivery of a new grandchild!
Thanks so much! We are excited!!