What Is Time?*
From an older version of my brain, to yours.
When does your year start?
When I was a kid, I came up with a mental image of a calendar. It looked a lot like a long strip of rectangles, with September at the top and August at the bottom. But not a straight vertical, nope. For some reason, my kid’s brain canted it slightly so it was on a diagonal.
It doesn’t take a trained professional to figure out that my life as a student played a significant role in that imagery, with the traditional kickoff month for Canadian schools getting top billing, so to speak.
I dunno how many other people have mental calendars quite like mine, but I’d guess, at the very least, there are lots of people who feel a sense of new beginnings this month.
For me, that feeling has been filtered through my WIP. I’ve been working on this first draft steadily since Sept. 4th and have just passed the 25k word mark. I don’t note these things consistently, but I’d guess I’ve written up to 20k of that this month. Go, me. :)
Which is why this sendout is so late. *sheepish grin*
I was so deep in the salt mines that I lost track of time. Now, I doubt anyone breathlessly awaits these Musings. (If you do, wow, thanks!) But, I apologize for my tardiness this month all the same.
*: To answer the question in the subject line: Time is one of many ways for us to keep track of life and everything in it. It can be a tool we use to achieve our goals or an oppression we allow to dominate us. I can’t always track time accurately or ‘use’ it appropriately (whatever that means), but y’know, it always works out in the end.
The Q&A Corner
Superstar subscriber Erika E. wants to know:
Do you find that your intake of creative work varies based on the season?
Yes! The flip side of writing on deadline is making time and space to read and watch things. My creative “output” is inversely proportional to my creative “intake”; ie., the more I write, the less I read/watch. And it’s not just a question of time available. It’s also because my head’s filled with characters and story and whatnot while I’m writing. The more, the better, frankly. Which makes it a little too busy to concentrate on other things. Which is also why I choose less challenging books and shows/films when I’m working on a writing project.
How does this relate to seasons?
Well, I historically am less productive writing-wise in the summer months, and December is basically a total wash. (The caveat being, it also depends on contracted book deadlines and public appearances.) At those times, even mixing in plenty of other activities, I binge a LOT of tv/films and can burn through as many as 3 books a week. I also DNF a lot of stuff, full disclosure. But somehow, I still can’t manage to shrink down my TBR. Go figure...
Thanks for the fun question, Erika! You’re a gem. *heart eyes*
Lovelies, here’s your chance to engage in conversation!
Ask Me Anything: publishing, writing, baking, cooking, movies, books, TV shows...it's all up for grabs. Even questions that get sparked by one of my answers. What strikes your curiosity? Let me know!
~ In Other News ~
It’s official! I’m joining the January 2025 faculty of Humber College in their Creative Writing graduate certificate program! As a mentor, I’ll work one-on-one with writers, touching base a few times over the course of 8 months. I appreciate that it’s an online program, with a clear structure to support writers at any level with a specific work-in-progress. Please check out the link if you’re interested and share with writers you know who might be.
Can’t believe Surrey International Writers’ Conference is just one month away! My brain is full of this WIP but I need to start working on my presentations..! I know at least one of my events will be livestreamed and/or recorded, but they ALL have to be ready!
Oh, there’s just one more thing...
I gave myself exactly one hour to do this newsletter because I want to get back to writing. Which means I didn’t proofread as closely or overthink as much as usual..!
How’d I do? xP
Thanks for supporting a working author! Please consider subscribing and/or sharing with other brains.