The last fling of winter is over … The earth, the soil itself, has a dreaming quality about it. It is warm now to the touch; it has come alive; it hides secrets that in a moment, in a little while, it will tell.
~ Donald Culross Peattie~
Happy first day of spring everyone! There’s also a very powerful equinox starting today, and it’s worth mentioning. During this new energic flow, some people find it the prime opportunity to jot down the things we want to manifest this year. I basically only have one, complete my WIP to my satisfaction, and the rest of my dreams I’ll gather as I go.
The above poem really speaks to me today. My WIP is getting warm to the touch now, and coming alive. In the beginning, it was like breaking hard ground and I wondered how my story would ever grow. Like spring, secrets are revealing themselves. Everything about this novel is different, and maybe that’s what I needed. A shakeup is what got me back on track again. Be careful what you wish for… 
I’m still in the little red car I blogged about last week, but not quite over the rise yet.
This writerly shakeup consisted of discovering what I wanted from this story. Seriously, it’s been awhile since I’ve asked myself some of the questions I did this time around, and it was freeing. Looking back, I remember a time when I thought a few revisions after the first draft, and swipe of the polish cloth a great manuscript did make. Since I gathered experience from writing those stories and had fun doing it, it’s all good.
I now find myself raising the bar like never before. I think each story we write carries a little of that. There’s something about the, “Make each book better than the last one.” What I did this time around is recommit myself to my storytelling style. I’m not afraid to try new things now, and I’m sure that has something to do with age…maybe not. Life experiences can bring that also in unexpected ways. I had a scare with a family member this year, and the thought of loss was a huge time of reflection for all of us. We get comfortable sometimes, and feel protected. I was reminded again that nothing is a sure thing.
So for me this spring day, I’m recommited to renewal in my life and passions. This new creative shakeup was born of knowing I can do better, and wanting to meet that challenge. I love internal challenges, because they come from the heart and are so pure.
Any writing shakeups you’ve experienced lately?
I think a cliche is in order: ‘practice makes perfect.’ Yes, I’d agree with your post.
As for a writing shake up? For me, it’s been to focus on characters.
LaD, we are Twinkie Twins again! I could have written this blog. I feel the same way about writing each book better, and it’s taking me longer to write, because when I get a niggle that something isn’t working now, I pay attention to it.
Happy Spring, LaDonna!! Another great blog.
Now you’ve got me feeling all perky and ready to write today!
LaDonna,
Each book I tried to perfect one more skill. Hopefully all the previous ones are instilled and fall into place. I think this is true, at least for me, as the second edits are always so much easier and the rough draft is so much better with each new book.
I loved the perky daffodils. And the birds are very busy in the early morning hours these days–all signs of SPRING.
Mary Jo
D.A., so true about your cliche! As long as I’m learning something, it’s totally worth it!
And I really believe time spent with characters, as you mentioned, is where the gold is. They are story; it’s who the reader identifies with.
Edie, yep the Twinkie Twins are at it again!
I love those niggles you speak of, and experienced more this time around too. I used to know an approximate time I’d be done with a novel, not true with this one and that’s okay. By consciously raising the bar, it’s pretty much showing me…do the work!
Cindy, so glad you’re feeling, “perky and ready to write!” YAY, I passed some good stuff along today!
Mary Jo, I love how you view the process, and so true!
The revision process is a continuous learning experience for me.
This morning I went outside and took a deep breath, and soaked up the sunlight. The sky here is an incredible blue. We have these beautiful redbirds and bluebirds that perch in my plum tree. I missed them, and can’t wait till they start filling the tree up again.
I get shook up every time I revisit a manuscript.
Sometimes it’s good, and others not so much. This week I had the d.t.’s over a paper I’m writing for a class. A necessary evil toward the main goal, and as much as I’d rather be working on my own stuff, this will be worth it. (I hope)
LOL, too funny about the revisit shakeup, Kathy! I hear ya. And your focus on school is a good thing. You know what you want, and that’s crucial.
I forgot today was the first day of Spring! Thanx for the reminder, LaD. R u going to DC this year?
Hey Karin, I don’t think DC is in the picture.
Bummer, since I’d love to see you and the gals. I’d have to take funds from savings, and not sure if we’ll need it down the road. I’m trying to curb my spending, till I can see through the fog out there. I’ll be in Nashville, though, probably with my baby girl. We both wanted to go to San Fran too, but didn’t make it.
Funny you should ask. But then again, you already know about my personal shake up.
All I can say is trying to concentrate on my edits that are due on Monday has been very difficult. But, I’m trudging through and getting it done. When my editor says jump, I listen.
Hey Marica, I love your shake up girl!
And I can only imagine how hard it is to concentrate now. And you’re a smart chica to listen to your editor. I was the same way, all the way.
Perhaps that’s what it was today. The first day of spring. Not only was it a productive morning for me (writing-wise), but it was a busier than hell day as well. Started petering out around 8:00 p.m. when I had fully intended to go out again … but what can you say? I’m in for the evening.
Happy Spring everyone. Its been a long, hard winter. Here’s raising a glass to a warm and productive spring/summer.
Hey Liz, so glad it was a productive morning for you!
And I know what ya mean about in for the night. The munchkins and daughter are here for the weekend, so it’s a lively time we’re having! A great way to start the spring!
Playing catch-up again. The last week I’ve been helping my son prepare for his cross country move. He did most of the work of course. Mostly I figured out where to put what he brought home to “hold” for him.
Oddly enough his move, while sad for us, has also invigorated me. I wrote about it this morning.
Spring is indeed a time of rebirth and this year it seems more than ever before. My writing has been in the doldrums this winter but suddenly I’m writing again.
As Edie said, I feel like I could have written this blog. Thank you for another lovely post!