Keep on keepin’ on…

I have a writer friend who posted on her Facebook status that she had written ten pages that day. I applauded her for that, and was momentarily disheartened about the pace of my own writing.

But only for a moment. I realize that reality is a matter of perspective, and I need to have a healthy perspective about how my own writing process is, uh, proceeding.

She’s sold a few books, and I don’t know if she still has a day job. I do have a day job, and though I’ve been published, this is my first book. As I said in a previous post, the journey to finishing it is like climbing a mountain. It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll, and it’s a long road to the end of this book.

I have to be at work at 8. When I get home, I typically prefer to spend time with my wife and of course the dogs need attention, the trash needs to go out, etc. There’s a lot of et cetera in everyone’s life. So when I started this book, I decided I would get up at 5:30 am to write. I get at least a half hour a day at the page, sometimes more. I’ve figured at this pace, it will take me at least two years to write this thing.

I can’t be discouraged about that. Well, I could, but what’s the point? I’ve spent enough time not writing a book to lament how long it will take. The important thing is that every day, every time I sit in the seat and show up at the page, I am progressing. I celebrate every word, every paragraph, every page I accomplish.

I am my most important cheerleader. I love encouragement from others (who doesn’t?) but I have found taking responsibility for writing this book involves taking responsibility for the encouragement that keeps me writing.

And now, back to the book. Yay, me!