Pulled in Two Directions!

by Diana McCollum

In honor of the blog-o-verery of Romancing the Genres if you answer the question at the end you will be in a drawing for a gift card! You have till Monday, May 15th to respond!

I reinvent myself on a daily basis, in both my writing and personal life. Writing I go between writing and working on my novel, doing book reviews for Romance Junkie Reviews.com, posting for this blog and working on marketing, taking writing classes etc.

In my personal life I am a care taker of my 91 yr. old Mom who lives with us. How does this change on a daily basis? One day I’m her chauffer, the next day I’m her personal assistant calling in prescriptions, setting up appointments. I take her to pedicure and hair appointments. 

I put the ice pack on her knees and leg when they hurt, get her Tyleno, her heating pad, turn on the fireplace for her and fix her tea, lunch etc. I keep the house clean and I’m the chef and bottle washer.

These two parts of my life tend to clash quite often. I try planning my writing day, but frequently something from my personal life interferes. Consequently I’ve been searching for ways to focus better on my writing. When I can focus I find I can get right back to writing without too much delay after being interrupted.

On a couple of my writing loops I’ve gained some helpful suggestions.

1) I joined a goal loop for weekly word count. Having to report my word count weekly shows me how I’m doing and encourages me to write even if it is just for one or two hours a day.

2) I make daily goals for both the household: chores, appointments, chauffeuring etc. and daily goals for my writing. If I don’t scratch a goal off the list it gets put on the next day goal list. I have found I can stay better focused on both my ‘jobs’.

3) I make time for myself. To read, to relax outside, garden anything that gives me nourishment for my soul. I find with these moments of relaxation I am able to tackle problems that arise without being resentful.

If you answer the question below, you will be in the drawing for an Amazon Gift card.

Are you a list maker?

cel•e•bra•tion!!

In honor of the Blog-o-versary of “Romancing the Genres”, I will be giving away two pieces of jewelry to two different commenters.  The rule is: as long as you leave a comment, you will be in the drawing.

I think back a year ago to the first Blog post I did, and baby I’ve come a long ways!

When Judith and Sarah, Blog Queens Extraordinaire, asked me to be a part of the baby blog they were giving birth to, I knew nothing about blogging.  I had never been to a blog, I had never commented on a blog and it seemed like a difficult thing for a relatively shy person to be involved with.

Me?  Put my thoughts, ideas and words on a blog that the entire cyber world could check out?  Could comment on?  With a push from my sister I did just that, I became an original member of the “Romancing the Genres” blog.

And I haven’t looked back or regretted joining “Romancing the Genres” blog.  I’ve learned so much about not only the process of blogging, but also, about myself, my commenters and my fellow writers, many whom I’ve yet to meet.
This is the perfect way for a shy person to enter the cyber world and have her/his voice heard.

I know from our number counter that many, many more visitors check out our blog than leave a comment.  If you enjoy our blog, tell us what subjects you’d like us to cover in future posts and if you are a lurker, why don’t you comment on the blog?  Do you comment on any blog ever?

Come on don’t be shy!  You could win a wonderful piece of jewelry!!