One of the special things about being a writer is that you can work from practically anywhere. For instance, this is one of the first times that I’ve sat down at my desk in the last few weeks.
Goal-wise for this month I knew that writing times would be hard to come by, so I planned accordingly on paper. But, for some reason, that “knowing” didn’t quite reach my brain. As the month nears the end though, I can look back at my goals and go “Ah-ha! This month did go as planned.”
In February I lugged my computer all over the place with me. I took it to work (and brought it inside to keep it warm) just in case I was snowed-in away from home. I took it to my best friend’s house while babysitting. I took it to my “adopted” parent’s house while visiting. I squirreled it around my office.
I worked on writing with friends hanging out in my office. I worked on writing while cloistered away because I needed a bit of quiet time. I worked on writing while keeping one eye on the clock so I could jump up at the last minute and race to work. I worked on writing while my best friend was in labor.
I worked on writing while holding her new baby and reading and singing with her other daughter. I worked on writing while listening to my adopted dad play the mandolin. I worked on writing when my brain was tired and I just wanted to sleep. I worked on writing while feeling all bright and chipper in the morning.
This month I didn’t accomplish a lot when it came to writing. I had to sneak in moments to blog and edit. To answer comments and emails. To even sit down at my computer with a brain that felt halfway compatible for working.
And do you know what? It was a good month. It was a very life-filled month. It was a month where I didn’t hit any milestones with writing, but I kept at it. Being a writer isn’t only what I do, it’s also part of who I am. But it’s not all of who I am, and therefore I need to be flexible when the occasion for flexibility arises.
February was a good month. It wasn’t stellar, but when I had time and could muster the energy to write, I redeemed that time and made it count. And sometimes that’s what writing is about. Not about hitting personal records, but instead about being aware of what and when and how I can pull out my computer and type away.
Writing isn’t always easy. Nor is it always fun. But I am a writer, and therefore I will write.
