Thursday, October 21, 2010

My name is Kim, and I am a slacker

photo by kim smith


Well, when I tried to figure out how to spell perseverence this AM while my eyes still wanted to close, it occurred to me that spelling the word wasn't the only thing I needed to do. I needed to learn what it meant.

I have been being very lax lately with writing. I haven't been in the act of perseverence. Here is the definition:

–noun
1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

And might I add, the word has a life origin of 1300! That word has been in our vocabulary since 1300 AD -- so why is it so hard to understand and follow?

One thing I find in my world that keeps me lagging is working a full-time job. It's hard to get up at 530 AM, get coffee going, walk for health, keep a diet/exercise log, pay bills, tend to the family dog, and get writing in before hitting the showers at 630 AM to toddle off to do an 8 hour day.

But I have done this before! Heck, I have written three full length books this way!

So what is my deal?

I think it's indolence, more than anything else. As I go, I realize that Netflix was created by geniuses and it is neat to have a video at my fingertips every other day. It's also inspiration, or lack thereof. I need to go somewhere away from home for a time, and be inspired by new settings, new experiences. I get sort of sluggish at times.

So are you inspired? Have you been showing perseverence lately? Share with us your methods. What works for you? Heaven knows I may try it!

3 comments:

jhtwriter said...

My perserverance has been under the weather for the past several weeks. Thanks for the article to remind me that I am not alone in suffering a decreased perservering spirit. Now to put BIC (butt in chair) and HOK (hands on keyboard) into action.

Aaron Paul Lazar said...

I go in cycles, too, Kim. Sometimes I just have to step away for a while and live life, to let the muse recharge. It often happens when I'm in the muddled middle of a book. Once I get through and figure out what's gonna happen, I'm back in the saddle.

Just keep on doing what feels right. There are no rules you have to follow. You're a young woman who will entertain us for decades with your stories, so don't be so hard on yourself. Pretty soon your muse will started screaming to be let out, but only when she's ready!

Kim Smith said...

Thanks Aaron! It's always a journey isn't it?