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Thursday, December 12, 2013

Writer Withdrawals by Paty Jager

The sun is shining, the snow squeaks under my boots, and the thermometer is registering 0 degrees. It has been a tough couple of weeks at our ranch. The temperatures have hovered between -20 and 20. That makes it hard to get many things done inside because I spend so much time outside, making sure animals have feed and water.

Times like this I realize how much time I normally spend on the computer with writing and promoting. The last couple of weeks, I've mainly worked on promotion the moments I've been on the computer or checked out how friends and family are faring on Facebook.

Right now I'm have writer withdrawals.

Even though I was having trouble getting excited about the next book, I find not sitting down and cranking out the words has given me tics and made me nervous worrying about the next self-imposed deadline. Will I get this book done by my projected release date? I really need to do more research, but I haven't had time to sit down and dig into that either. I'm kind of in limbo with the weather and Christmas approaching. And going crazy wishing for time to write!

Focus! That's what I tell myself when I come in out of the cold with tingling cheeks, dried out lips and numb fingers. But by the time I drink a hot cup of tea and thaw out, there is one more household chore that needs done, then I can sit down to the computer. But no, the cows are huddling around the water trough or pond, it must have frozen over again. Time to don the insulated overalls, heavy coat, stocking cap, boots and gloves and break the ice open.

My thoughts right now are on talking my hubby into selling the cattle this month, so we can spend a week somewhere warm in January or February. Oh, please, from my blue lips to God's ears!

Maybe then I can take care of my writing withdrawals and actually get something written!

Merry Christmas! May you enjoy family, friends, and stay warm!


www.patyjager.net
www.patyjager.blogspot.com

8 comments:

  1. Oh, good luck. It was -3 here this morning. Thankfully I had only the cats to worry about (though they looked at me very reproachfully when I came out of the house!)

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  2. Liz, I'm looking forward to this weekend. We are actually selling all but four head of cattle this coming Monday. It will make winter care for them easier. Thanks for stopping in and commenting!

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  3. Paty, you've mirrored exactly what I have been going through. I just finished a book, and had the first 5 chapters in my next book already written, but for the last two weeks, I just haven't been able to focus. It's not as cold here as where you are, and I have to drive to see my ponies, but I remember what it was like when we had them at home, and checking on the water pipes, etc in the cold weather. Plus with Christmas coming, there are so many things that draw away the focus from writing, and the more directions I get pulled in, the less things get done. Only a few more weeks 'til the new year, right?

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    1. Peggy I think this time of year makes it hard to stay focused with so much to do and making others happy. I've always put others before myself except when it came to my writing, but at Christmas time...I tend to lose track of myself. I'm counting down the days to the new year and I can get back into the "groove". Stay warm!

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  4. Okay, I probably should hold off saying how COLD it was at Disneyland last Monday...fifty degrees. Here, that's cold. Yesterday was 70...don't throw things at me. That all said, Paty, I love your pix on FB. I am jealous of you sometimes, getting to live on a real ranch. What inspiration! (Then again, I realize what a lazy slug I really am and could never work that hard.) But I am sure, talented writer that you are, you'll make time to cuddle up with your laptop in front of the fire and create! A blessed Christmas to you and yours...give George a hug for me. Aw, wish I could see him in the nativity play! xoxox

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    1. Hey Tanya! Yes! Don't you dare tell me how cold it was in Disneyland. LOL We are to get in the mid-forties today! Yay! I can water with a hose and not chop ice or haul water with buckets. George has been so much fun. I'm glad all those years ago when we bought a bull, the rancher said, "George goes with him, they're buddies."

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  5. Paty, I hate when life interferes with writing time, but it happens too often. We only had two horses, but they were a chore to take care of in bad weather. Don't want cattle--EVER. I'm happy now that we've moved to our little home in town that's close to everything. Merry Christmas to you!

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    1. Hi Caroline, We're actually rounding up the cattle this weekend and selling most of them this Monday. We'll be down to only four pair and a bull. Much easier to handle in cold weather. Merry Christmas to you!

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