once again, it's time for the monthly IWSG post. i've been at this for a while. i've posted on being seen, being stuck, being who you are, C. S. Lewis, starting over, writing like Dick and Jane, writing and composting, and writing and stress. whew.
ironically, the post on writing and stress talks about getting ready for our move to Montana. and here i am, living in Montana, though not where i thought i'd be. i thought i would be in my house by now. we thought the builder would start in October 2011 and be done by February 2012.
uh. no.
i wasn't happy when i heard i had to wait and live in this rental house for 9 months instead of 3. i wanted to be in my house, on my land, with all my stuff around me. i was tired of not living in my own house. i'd lived in one place 17 years and i wanted that again.
sometimes, not getting what we want is much better than getting it. if i'd lived in my house in February, i wouldn't have been prepared for dealing with snow and ice. i wouldn't have wanted to travel the 20 minutes to get into town to be with people because i was tired from our move. i would have had to pack boxes 3 months after unpacking them.
sometimes the best things take more time than we hoped, but they turn out better than we could have imagined. by waiting, i have one winter under my belt. i know more people. our kids have had a much easier time making friends. i'm healthier than i was when i got here, and not nearly as tired. i've had a chance to rest. we found a better floorplan.
the same has been true with my novel. i wanted it done last year before we moved. that didn't work out because i had to move. then i wanted it done this spring. that didn't work either. my brain was tired from moving. my heart was tired. i didn't have the emotional hutz-pah to write.
i can look back and say i'm glad i didn't finish when i'd planned. plot ideas have come to me that wouldn't have come last year. the story will be better and stronger (and probably more complex) than if i'd finished it last year. just yesterday, i came up with a plot twist i hadn't thought of. my son and i were able to flesh it out. whereas we'd been stuck and blocked before, now we're energized to write more.
i'm learning that sometimes my story just needs time. if i rush things, i won't get the best outcome.
irony #2 is that i'll be moving again. in just 6 weeks. that means packing boxes again. hopefully, it doesn't mean putting my sequel on hold again, but it might. i have to prepare myself for that. things in life come up that can't be helped, or that we intentionally bring on ourselves. stories have to wait. the waiting can make them stronger.
now, related to moving, there's one box i don't want to move. that's the box that holds 9 well-traveled, slightly scuffed copies of Eldala. (black covers don't travel well. they get scratched no matter how careful you are with them.) i don't feel right about selling them that way, so i've decided to give those 9 copies away. and i'm giving them away to bloggers who partcipate in Alex's Insecure Writers' Support Group.
you all have a special place in my heart. i hope i've connected with you in some way. at the very least, i hope i've encouraged you. i think my book would encourage you too. the central theme is having courage to walk in who you really are, both from a male and female perspective.
i'm also giving away 10 e-book copies of Eldala from the Smashwords site. it's formatted for almost every e-reader, including PC.
for a preview, i've posted the first six chapters.
UPDATE -- as of June 7, 4 PM MDT, there are 2 paperbacks and 4 e-books left.
to be clear, i have a few conditions:
-- you have to be a blogger on Alex's IWSG list (even if you just joined today), and have up at least one IWSG post.
-- paperback books are available only to residents of the U.S.
-- e-books can go to anyone.
-- if you want a book, let me know in the comments which format you prefer. i'll acknowledge your request by email.
-- books will be given out on a first-come basis.
-- i'll pay the postage.
-- the giveaway lasts until 9 PM MDT on Wednesday, June 13, or until all the copies have been claimed.
20 comments:
I enjoyed this post about loving what is! I've moved so many times that I guess I'll never have what you had - 17 years in one place. I've lived in this house that we built the longest and we are selling it this summer (after a scant six years). I am used to moving. But I also appreciate that we think we know what we need to do and sometimes we just have to wait and see what is offered. Sounds like you've done that. I'm in Canada so won't enter your contest but wanted you to have a big huzzah from me for working hard and seeing the silver lining!
I would love to read your book, unfortunately i live in South Africa.
I think you have a great point with letting one's book wait. I always force things along because I hate waiting.
Good luck with the moving and packing.
Rushing is never wise, but many of us writers are always rushing to finish the manuscript, to query, to send in the partial or full. Sometimes it's best to take our time, use the hiccups of life to improve what we are working on and simply take our time.
Great post!
I would love a copy of Eldala, woo hoo! Thank you so much, this is really exciting. If I could have a copy mailed that would be awesome, I just love the feel of a real book.
Sometimes, not getting what we want is much better than getting it. That is so true, and so is having to wait on things sometimes, especially stories. They take their own time to grow and are so much better because of it. Can't wait to read it!
theenchantedwriter (at) gmail (dot) com
Andrea
This is very true and one lesson that is hard for me. I'm a person who moves fast and sometimes expects things to move fast, but I've learned isn't always good. Good luck on the move.
You are so generous. I'd love to have one of your paper books. mary.aalgaard (at) yahoo com. All those moves and interruptions are part of the learning and writing process. You have a great attitude!
Play off the Page
I'd love a paper copy if I made in it on time.
I often find new plot twists/extensions at the eleventh hour - so I totally understand where you're coming from. I hope you enjoy your new home when you finally get into it!
I had to move recently myself. If you have any copies of your book left I would love one. Ebook is fine unless you have more hard copies you'd like to part with! :)
-MJ support group member http://creativelyspiltink.blogspot.com/
Morning, Michelle. I'd love a copy of your book, either eBook version or paperback. Good luck in your move and in the rest of your new book.
moving again!? the whole process is so draining.
i'm so glad you stopped by my iwsg post today! i am happy to meet another "no caps" person =)
it's amazing how desperate we are to have things go our way, and how much better things turn out when they don't!
give me patience and faith!
ps, if you have a hard copy, i'd love one!
Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I'd finished my current book two years ago, like I should've. Of course, if I had, it would need major revisions now due to the popularity of ebooks. So it all worked out.
I would love a copy of your book, Michelle. Ebook would be fine so you don't have to mail it. I know how postage adds up.
Looks like you have a good turnout for your book offer!
Sorry you're not in the house yet. But taking it in stride and realizing it might've been for the best is a great attitude.
Hi Michelle, You have inspired me and I would love a paperback of your book. I love this group because I see that we all feel the same way - and I always feel better after reading people's post. Now I feel encouraged again and not beating myself up...I will finish my book...just not as quick as I wanted. :-)
I agree that time and waiting can be a good thing. I'm an impatient person though, so I often don't think so. lol :)
I live in OR. Have only been over Montana in a plane. It looks beautiful.
I'd love to read your book ... whichever format you want to be rid of most.
I envy you in Montana though not the moving. Next time I move, my children will be all on their own so I only have to pack for me and hubby.
I would love to have a paperback copy of your book, scuffs or no.
I hate moving. In the last (almost) ten years, I've moved over ten times. Somewhere around 14 or so, maybe and probably even more. Ugh. Anyway. I like this post. I tend to rush things, or at least try to. Waiting can be a good thing, even (especially) for those who aren't good at it. :)
Also, I'm not sure if there are any copies left, but I would love a paperback of your book (ebook is fine too). That's super awesome of you. :D
My email is KelaMcClelland(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Darn it, I have Eldala :( This is a great idea though. I hope the move goes well. I've moved often enough in my life to hate the sight of moving boxes. Sometimes, I re-move boxes without ever unpacking them.
Good luck with everything Michelle.
.......dhole
Hi Michelle! I just discovered your blog through Annalisa Crawford's IWSG post and I'm so glad I did. I loved this post, and it's so generous of you to offer copies of your book. If they aren't all taken I'd love one, print or ebook is fine with me. Eldala sounds like a fantastic book.
Great to meet you!
I'm all about encouraging others and I thank you for doing the same!
Post a Comment