Does anyone really like Mondays? To me, the only thing they're good for is to start a diet or an exercise program. But here we are collectively sighing that it is indeed Monday, and for me it's deadline day.
A Peach of a Pair, my new women's fiction title for Berkley books is due today, which makes today even worse. I will turn the book in just by the skin of my teeth, and honestly I have the romance to thank for that.
2014 a tough year to say the least. In the past, whenever things got crazy, I would write, and last year was no different. To give you an indication just how crazy things were, I wrote 5 novellas for the Tule Publishing Group, and I also had my January 5 Berkley deadline.
Unfortunately, by the time I got around to writing A Peach of a Pair, I had nothing left in the tank.That's never happened to me before; it was terrifying. I locked myself away at the beach for a week
mid November, still nothing. I went to Trader Joe's and bought the extra huge dark chocolate and hazelnut bar, the seven ounce one, and made a deal with myself. For every 20 pages I wrote, I'd eat one square. By the end of the week with 5 squares were gone, I had written 8 pages.
I decided to try another reward system-write during the day, come 6 or 7:00 p.m., read romance on the treadmill and at night. I plowed through Jill Shalvis' and Kristan Higgins' new novels, Tiffany's Snows too. Novellas by Jane Porter, Erika Marks, Tracy Solheim, Megan Crane. So many other romances, I don't even remember the titles or the authors, only that all those stories gave me the happily ever afters I needed to make it to today when I typed THE END on my manuscript and sent it to my editor.
What do you do to get you over the hump? What keeps you going when it seems like it's Monday everyday?
Whatever it is, here's to a new year full of romance and HEA for us all!
***Kim's winner is Katrina Epperson.! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing address.***
26 comments:
I read to get me over those humps, or I call up a good friend or family member.. Or if it is not cold out, like it is today.. really, really cold, I take a walk... And there is always music to take me away from it all..
I do my major house cleaning early in the week, so I don't have as much to do the rest of the week. That sort of helps get over the hump.
I have no problem writing and only write reviews. So when I finish a book, I write review immediately so I have what it left me with. Mondays do not bother me at 64 almost 65. Just another day.
Holidays I think make it harder to write because you have family to focus on. God give you what you need today to complete. In Jesus name, Amen
jrs362 at Hotmail dot com
Normally we order sub's and salads from a local restaurant on Monday, which is something to look forward to. However, since we have been off for two weeks, that is NOT the case today.
My kids, family,& friends have always been the ones to get me over any hump in life, always reminding me of the brightside, & giving me whatever strength is needed to plow right on through!!! Many Blessings to all in the coming New Year!!!:)
Cleaning, of course that's my cure for everything. If that fails to put everything back into perspective then I bake. My family appreciates both endeavors, but for me I see accomplishments and that just boosts something inside of me.
eppersonkatrina@yahoo.com
taking a day off helps me
I read, watch my TV shows and/or take a nap. :)
With the proper motivation...
I'm just imagining all the things I'd get done if I promised myself I could eat chocolate after I accomplished something! LOL
I would take lunch break and read. Anything to get by the Monday Blues.
I stay up into the middle of the night to get it done. ;)
Denise
I read. As long as I an get my hands on a good romance novel. I don't care what day it is.I read seven days a week. Between reading and spending time wth my two year old granddaughter, every day is a god day. Even Monday.
I read to relax myself or I'll go outside with my boys and blow off some steam.
I hate mornings...and I hate Mondays. My "get me through" is my secret Port City Java gift card. That's one of our local coffee shops. They make awesome smoothies, like Green Wave and Hang Ten--with lots of pineapple and mango and other yummy stuff. I use my gift card to treat myself to ONE smoothie per week. Many weeks, I don't buy that treat until Friday...which means it was a good week. If I'm going to PCJ on Monday afternoon, then you know it's a rough Monday! LOL.
I am not a morning person. If I have to I can make myself do it. I liked your attempts at rewarding yourself. It works as long as you find the right reward. Thank you for your giveaway. It sounds like you really had a burn out. Preventive medicine would be to take better care of yourself. Maybe go out for a walk or meet a friend for coffee. Something that would take you away from your job.
Breaking up what I need to do into 15 minute "bites" works the best for me
My 5 grandchildren keep me going. Their smiles and the funny jokes they tell me or the way they ask silly questions. Love them all!!
I hate Mondays! I make sure I read for at least an hour every Monday morning, & have a sweet smelling candle lit!
I read while I work sometimes can not put book down.
Ideally each morning would be at least 30 min of devotion and an hour of FB..that is of course after I fed the dog, the cats, the Lemur, etc...coffee...we cannot forget that. I wish I had a magic pill I could take to make me plow into that laundry list of things that I need to get done...sigh* no such thing. And now Monday seems to blend into Tuesday...ugh... As much as I enjoy reading what you write...I hope you find the answer soon! Maybe more chocolate? And of course more treadmill... LOL
I am the worst. I have a hard time starting in the morning. In dire deadline situations, I drink a pot of coffee, try to avoid fb and email, and get to work. Or I drink a pot of coffee, exercise, check my email, fold some laundry and ditter.
Well, to get through those moments of unhappiness like an irresponsible husband, who took my Christmas money and can't find where he put it (like right now), I take a deep breath, look out the window at the beautiful sunny day and collect my thoughts. He always has to move things like 20 times around the house, thus losing stuff. I get so exasperated with him! Why does he do this, I'd like to know.
Anyway, to get through moments of dread, deep breathing, clearing mind and listening to nice music really helps.
Hug my kids and escape into a book...
Mondays don't matter to me, I work as a nurse, different nights every week. I love to read or bake to get over the hump though.
read and blog and then look at the dog who are my service dogs
I just keep going ,and know i'll get there.
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