A Brief Memo
It's not failure if you get up and try again
I recently started a new blog series titled Project Haddie Writing Diary, a diary of my efforts writing and eventually self-publishing my first ever novel, an epic space fantasy.
I said I would post every week in the first installment.
I did not post Saturday and it is now Monday, at 7:19pm. I have made no more progress in my draft - at least, not yet.
If I could describe my last week in words I would say that I moved through the week in a brain fog, my body feeling like it was weighed down by a million tiny bricks cemented to my bones.
I also got the news that I would be moving to a new office (not a bad thing) in my fifth week of training (this week) where I would be the only person in my position there (hahaha, I’m fine).
Here is a gif to give you a visual:
I am still determined to faithfully draft my novel, but I am realizing that often when I make decisions, my circumstances sometimes fights back - or gets in the way - or maybe it is a lesson in fighting through the pain to achieve your goal.
Whatever the reason, the very next week after beginning my novel (actually I am cognizant of some of the reason, but it’s not like I can prevent it, if you know, you know) I experienced a full week of pain, exhaustion, and enduring head aches. Which meant my free time was either deliberate naps or unintentional naps, scrolling mindlessly on TikTok, and staring into the void.
On a brighter note, I did finish Before the Coffee Gets Cold, which is delightful, and which I will review this week. I am also almost through Buried Deep, a collection of short stories from Naomi Novik, who happens to be a favorite author of mine. I’ll be sure to share what I think.
To end this brief note, I leave you with this: I intend to post this Saturday. I intend to finish drafting this year. I intend to end this year differently by beginning my days differently, by living differently, by allowing myself to fail and succeed and win and lose and grow and regress and grow again in a way I never have before. As my novel unfolds, so will my new chapter.
How exciting!
Look for a book review and another writing update, and whatever surprises my brain comes up with.