For the last few weeks, I’ve been struggling, feeling sort of like I’m trying to escape from quicksand. And the harder I try to climb out, the quicker I’m swallowed up by the grainy, coarse sludge that wants nothing more than to suck me further into its dark pit.
I mean, I’ve totally fallen off the WritersButt Challenge. I’ve slipped back into some of my bad habits like drinking soda and having the junk food snacks. I’ve rewritten the outline to my work in progress THREE times – each one with a different take on the story and I still can’t decide which one I want to write. I’ve barely been able to do any blogging. I’ve slept almost 10 hours a night (though most nights I wake multiple times). And my headaches have returned with a vengeance – oh joy.
I’m sure August McLaughlin, Ginger Calem, and Sandra Brougher think I’ve given up on my quest to be healthy. But we all have these moments. We all fall off course sometimes and step into a bit of quicksand. The key is whether you stay in the pit or find a way out.
Did you know that you actually will not be sucked all the way under in quicksand? According to this article by Nicholas Bakalar for National Geographic News, “Quicksand has a density of about 2 grams per milliliter. But human density is only about 1 gram per milliliter. At that level of density, sinking in quicksand is impossible. You would descend about up to your waist, but you’d go no further.”
HA! Take that quicksand! I will float. But floating doesn’t get me out of it, it just means I won’t be sucked completely under. So how does one escape? You must wiggle your legs around to loosen up the sand and allow it to become more diluted. It’s a slow process, but eventually you can move and get out.
Slow but doable -I can handle that. Because I haven’t given up. I refuse to give up. I will not let the quicksand take me down! Even if I have to keep starting over, or write another outline, or wiggle my legs a little bit longer to loosen up that sand – I will do it.
So I made a plan to escape from the quicksand. Starting this week, I’m beginning at Week 1 with Writersbutt Challenge. I’m also going to pay more attention to nutrition again. These are things I must do, because without my health everything else seems pointless.
As for my writing, I’m going to take part in a Fast Draft. This is a two-week process where one must write a certain amount of pages or words a day – without stopping to edit or revise their work – so that the first draft of a work in progress will be finished, or at least a good chunk of it will be.
Plus, I’m going to post on my blog twice a week. Starting well, now. Not only will I be continuing my Behind the Quill author interviews, I’ve also decided to let one of my book ideas, Kennan’s Diary, come to life on my blog. I admit, I’m a little nervous about this as I’m putting it out there for the whole world to see. (EEK!) But I know it will be a great experience for me to improve my writing.
So that’s the plan. This time, though, I’ve allowed myself a little wiggle room because sometimes you just have to loosen up the sand a little more before you can move forward.
How about you – ever been stuck life’s little quicksand pits? How did you get out?
That’s a hard one when you fall off that wagon to get back on. I know. I’m still trying to get it right. I used to be soo good at the diet and exercise but since WANA1011 it’s been a little wishy washy. I’m in your court cheery, “Yay, Jennifer! Yay! You can do it!”
I totally get the being scared about bringing your story to life on your blog. I worked out some posts for early stages of my story that were designed for my blog, but based on my book. After some rewrites part of them ended up in my first chapter. I’m glad I didn’t post them. But everyone is different. Personally, I think you will have a lot of fun and receive tons of valuable feedback. 😀
Hi Debra!
I totally understand “wishy washy!” lol! But I know you can figure it all out – you’re tough like that. 😉
It was a tough decision on whether I should but Kennan’s Diary up, but I felt like it was a good way to build interest in my writing as well as learn a thing or two.
I’m working on other WIPs as well, but this will give me something to use as a learning tool, so to speak.
Thank you for the encouragement!
I love your openness and honesty, Jennifer. Those bumps in the road are part of progress and recovery—when applicable. Simply sharing them will probably help you get back on track. If there’s anything I can do, you know where to find me. 🙂
Thank you August!
At first I felt really awful because I didn’t want to let down all those who had been cheering me on. But then I remembered that not all roads have lines painted on them nor are they all smooth. So I hit a bump and it knocked me off course a little. Time to get back on the right road and moving in the right direction. I’ll get there eventually!
And thank you for being in my corner!
PS Nutrition wise, one thing that tends to help is focusing on eating simply, and thinking “more healthy foods” instead of what NOT to eat. Food journaling helps, too. 🙂
Oh, good advice, August! I’ll try to remember to journal too. 😉
Yes!!! Good for you! Seriously,it’s not about staying in the game, it’s about jumping back in! Cuz everyone quits. Everyone gets hurt, depressed, frustrated, sick. But not everyone starts again. Looking forward to reading Kennan’s Diary 🙂
Hi Shannon! I completely agree – it is about jumping back in. I figure even if I have to restart several times, it will be so worth it when I get there!
I hope you will like Kennan’s Diary. Feedback is always welcome!
Thanks for stopping by!
Everything in life seems to be two steps forward, then one back (or in my case, two forward and twenty back sometimes!). But the only way to fail is to give up…which you haven’t done. You know where you’re off track, and you’re working on getting back. This is just a case where the wiggle room is needed. Too many changes too fast can be too hard sometimes.
Keep plugging away. You’ll get there. And there are a lot of us in the same boat. I’m trying to get with the program on juicing and getting back to the pool a few times a week. So far, so bad. But I’ll get there, too. 🙂
Kristy, some days it really does feel like two steps forward and twenty back! But I’m not going to let it stop me.
I think as long as we do a little bit at a time, its still progression! Good luck to you as well – I’m sure you will get there too!
Thank you very much for your honesty, Jennifer. Here’s they way I look at setbacks. They are opportunities to see how serious you are about taking charge of your actions. Do you hit a setback which completely derails you to the point that you throw your hands up and give in.
Or — Do you recognize it, acknowledge its’ reality and jump back in to show it who’s boss and know that every time you decide to choose for a ‘healthy you’ are you stronger. Every. Single. Time.
Stay strong. You are in control. The immense power of every choice is nestled within you. Exercise that choice. (no pun intended!)
Believe in you!!
Ginger, you really know how to motivate a girl!
You’re right – I am in control. Sometimes I forget that and need a good reminder. 😉
Thanks for being there for me!
What a great analogy. I love the idea that you can escape quicksand by taking your time and making little moves at a time. As someone already said, getting back on task is what it’s about. Really, it feels like one step forward and two steps back but you can make it two steps forward and one step back at least once in a while – and that’s progress!
Lynette – I agree. As long as I get back on track and keep pushing forward, I’ll get there.
Thanks for stopping by!
well done Jennifer. putting the challenges into words is the first step, i think. and nutrition was the saving grace for me – made a different woman of me.
Hi Louise!
I’m working on my nutrition. Its a downfall of mine, but I’m learning I can change my habits. It just takes a little bit at a time. It won’t happen over night. But you’re right – nutrition can be a huge factor in our day-to-day lives. It affects far more than we realize, I think.
Thanks for your support!
These things happen – the key is to get back on track and keeeeeeep going.
There’s no quick fix to breaking a habit or habits. I’ve started exercising before I eat breakfast. After breakfast I do a couple of chores, shower, hair and then bum in seat. Unless I have stuff to do like doctors or appointments. I meet up with friends twice a week and go out with Hugo, date night, once a week too.
Now, back to the grindstone. I have a vampyre calling my name.
Hi CC! You’re absolutely right – these things do happen. But I’m back at it.
I’m hoping to set up a more regular schedule for myself – I work so much better when there is a routine in place! 🙂
Yes – get your bum back in the chair! I’m ready to read about that vampyre!
Thanks for stopping by!
We all fall down and have to just keep getting up again. Kudos for even being in the game and asking this of yourself. I’ll be doing the FD challenge, too. Look forward to sharing with you. 🙂
Hi Alicia!
Thank you for the kudos. Its all about keeping myself accountable I think, at least until it turns more into a lifestyle habit. I’m excited about the fast draft! Looking forward to seeing how great everyone does. 🙂
Thanks for stopping in!
Hi, Jennifer,
Does anyone make it through an exercise and diet plan without encountering a few small rebellions and at least one major act of self-sabotage? You’re returning to the healthful path–which allows an occasional detour–and that’s what matters.
As for an story outline, you’re allowed to detour from it, too. Every change you’ve made to the outline increases the likelihood your characters will take an interesting journey.
Thanks for the tip about escaping from quicksand!
Hi Pat,
You have a great point! I don’t think anyone does go through an exercise and diet plan without a few bumps along the way. Hadn’t thought of it that way before. 😉
Oh, that story outline is killing me! I’ve changed it so much now that I feel I’ve lost the original thought. But the good news is that while I was working on that WIP, another WIP came into full view – log-line, outline, characters… it just “clicked.” Apparently everything I was learning to write the first WIP, really worked for the second one. So I’m rolling with it. 🙂
Have a great one and thanks for stopping by!
I think the thing I’m learning is not to beat myself up when I get off track. The guilt sucks– much like quicksand!
I try to be kind to myself as best I can and then start again. 🙂
Coleen,
I feel exactly the same way. Its the quicksand pit of guilt!! And you are correct – we have to be kind to ourselves. Positive reinforcements work the best – even when dealing with ourselves. I just have to remind myself of that from time to time. 😉
Thank you!
Jennifer, I fall into quicksand all the time, then I pull myself out, wash off and start again, and I make it for a while before falling back in again. Don’t worry we all do it and we all cheer each other on when we get back up again. So good for you! I think the fast draft will help a lot by allowing your creativity to flow without your brain getting in the way.
Have you heard of write or die? It’s a program that keeps you focused on your writing goal- no editing allowed and it ‘punishes’ you if you slow down your writing- seriously the screen will start turning red, it makes bad noises and at the highest setting it starts to delete what you have written if you stop for too long!
Hi Alicia!
I’m hoping the fast draft will let me get all these thoughts on paper so at least maybe I’ll stop dreaming about them every night. HA!
Haven’t heard of write or die. It really deletes what you’ve written? OUCH! lol!
Thanks for stopping by!
Jennifer, I hear you! I’ve been stuck for months. I just started blogging again. I agree with Ginger Calem about setbacks forcing us to confront our personal truths. I’m glad to see you’ve decided to stick with it. I look forward to the next post.
Falling off the wagon hurts. I’m glad you’re picking yourself back up though. We all have those moments and what matters is whether we let them beat us or keep going. I’m sure August and Ginger haven’t given up on you.
Good luck with fast draft 🙂