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A quote and a broken promise

Vita Sackville-West said: "It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the
moment?"

When I don't write, that's exactly how I feel. That the moment is lost. That the day has slipped emptily by.

Today, unlike many days lately, I wrote. I didn't at all do what I was supposed to do. I had agreed - during March Madness Challenge - not to edit and to write write write on my new story. But every day I felt my words were falling into thin air as I wrote because my first chapter was shaky - the boards were loose and my words were falling through the cracks. When I write I must have a good foundation to hold my story. So I cheated and reworked the first chapter.

Now I feel as though my story can stand on it's own two feet instead of standing on mine - just as I did when I was a child and stood on a partner's feet to move around the dance floor. I no longer need to do that. And neither does my story. It's got its own footing.

No more broken promises this month, I promise. But then again didn't I hear that promises are made to be broken. That's a topic for another time. Besides I think it depends on what the promise is. And a promise to oneself I've decided is one that can be broke. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.

Blessings!

Comments

  1. Congrats that you made some headway on your story:)))

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  2. I don't really have any set rules about my writing. Sometime I edit as I go along and sometimes I don't. When I'm inspired, I write. Sounds like yours is coming along pretty good.

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  3. I think we're on the same page with writing this week, no pun intended!

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  4. I've failed to meet my March Madness goal nearly every day in March! The first few days, I wrote my thousand words. Then I got engaged, and spent a few days blissfully wedding planning. Then I got a headache that lasted three days. Then I got revision notes from my agent on my second novel, and worked on those for a while.

    Today, the headache is gone. The revisions are turned in. And the fiance is, as ever, patient and wonderful and supportive. Today I hope to crank out a few words on my work-in-progress. Maybe a thousand. Maybe not. But I'm content.

    How great that you've got your first chapter the way you want it! You've got a solid foundation to build on.

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  5. Thanks to all of you who made comments. I'm thrilled to have such good writing buddies who care about the work of each.
    Sarah, congrats on the engagement. I'm excited to read your upcoming book. Go everyone and WRITE.
    Yes, you must have a spouse that understands.

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  6. What a great quote. I think it's too funny that you're feeling so guilty about making a significant piece of progress on your book. I'm pretty sure we're supposed to listen to our muses, even if it means breaking a promise or two. :-)

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