Days come in the life of every writer when you just have to take time to tend to obligations. That’s today for me. Paying bills, filing, and getting a manuscript out in the mail all take time from the creativity of actually sitting down and doing what I love. But it’s all the little things in life, frustrations, schedules, a messy work space that give me things to write about. Each emotion, each experience, each seemingly insignificant activity is what makes up human life. If I’m paying attention today, I’ll get some good stuff. By just watching others and myself and taking mental notes (and actual ones) on how I respond to them and they to me helps me be a better writer. Like a painter who is always sketching, always looking and always aware of the best light, the best colors and the best setting, good writers observe their subjects carefully and at all times. Our subjects are the people around us living their everyday lives. Today, even though I most likely won’t meet my writing goal, that doesn’t mean my work on the novel stops. It’s all a part of the process and living in the moment and getting all I can from it only serves to make me a better writer. It might also help me be a better mom, wife and friend; more fringe benefits of the journey!
