Artistic ADHD
Focus, focus, focus--I can't do it!
Whenever I sit down to write at either the computer or curled up on the sofa with a notebook, I don't know where to start! All day, every day, I'm filtering everything I hear and see through two questions--how could I write about this, or how does this apply to widows? I'm obsessed. I can hardly sleep at night!
So when I lug my over-worked, stressed out brain to the notebook or keyboard, I can't do it. Oh, I can start! I can start a hundred different sentences. Or one idea a hundred different ways. And then poof! My brain then gives me another hundred options of where to conclude it, and a million daydreams of where it will go. I call this Artistic ADHD.
Before I go to a medical professional for some powerful knock-me-outs, I'm going to try something else. I think I've trapped myself; I don't have enough time or energy to do both the book and the blog. My first love, the first commission God gave me, was the book. Neglecting it has bothered me and is probably a reason for the undermining distraction and sleepless nights. However, the blog is dynamic and crowds my heart with real faces and stories. It's ministry is at my fingertips and I connect with my readers almost everyday. Every time I reach into my widows blog it's like reaching into a hat and drawing a name or a prize. It's addicting in a good way! And a bad way.
So here's the plan.
I sent out a query on the book about a month ago. According to the publishers info, they respond to queries in 4 - 6 weeks. So by May 1, I should hear for them. I want to say I should get my rejection, but let's not be too negative, right? If they want to see the manuscript, I will be crazy with prep and formatting. But if they don't want to see it, then I must go to the next step, submitting it to a writers service that critiques it, rates it, and offers it to multiple publishers. Either way, May is a month to kick the book into high gear. The Lord made that plain to me this morning, and I don't often blame Him for things like this, so I don't say that lightly.
What about the widows blog? Please pray for that. I'm going to take a sabbatical from it for the month of May. Pray that I don't lose all my readers! As soon as I post this I'm going to write the explanation and schedule it for Monday, May 2.
What about this blog? I'm taking a break from this one, too. Those of you who read it know my phone number, so call me if you want to hear from me. Really! I'm not isolating myself from YOU, I'm isolating ME from the Internet!
What about Facebook? That's got to go, too. I'll still reply to messages and emails, but will not go to my wall. It's too distracting and hyper.
I still love you. I still want to talk to you, hear from you, visit, do lunch, whatever. I'm just saying please help me focus on the book in May by supporting my isolation from these other distractions. And of course, pray, pray, pray!
Good news is we have shed some pounds and Tom thinks he might be able to live with this sort of eating style. He's enjoyed my packing him a club salad for lunch, along with maybe some soup or chili; and lots of fresh veggies with a cheese stick or handful of nuts for snacking. He also likes his hot breakfast before he leaves for work, and coming home to something planned. We also can go out for a nice steak, we just don't eat from the bread basket or have a potato. Evening snacks have been more challenging, but we had chilled shrimp one night, stuffed mushrooms another, and turkey pepperoni with melted cheese over some pizza vegetables and they've all been more than adequate compensation.
It's a lot of work and grocery shopping for me, but with our health at stake, I'm going to pay one way or another and I think this is the better alternative. One thing I've learned tho--I don't tolerate the artificial sweeteners! Two different nights I put them on my evening snack--the second night I realized they make me very hyper! No more!
Whenever I sit down to write at either the computer or curled up on the sofa with a notebook, I don't know where to start! All day, every day, I'm filtering everything I hear and see through two questions--how could I write about this, or how does this apply to widows? I'm obsessed. I can hardly sleep at night!
So when I lug my over-worked, stressed out brain to the notebook or keyboard, I can't do it. Oh, I can start! I can start a hundred different sentences. Or one idea a hundred different ways. And then poof! My brain then gives me another hundred options of where to conclude it, and a million daydreams of where it will go. I call this Artistic ADHD.
Before I go to a medical professional for some powerful knock-me-outs, I'm going to try something else. I think I've trapped myself; I don't have enough time or energy to do both the book and the blog. My first love, the first commission God gave me, was the book. Neglecting it has bothered me and is probably a reason for the undermining distraction and sleepless nights. However, the blog is dynamic and crowds my heart with real faces and stories. It's ministry is at my fingertips and I connect with my readers almost everyday. Every time I reach into my widows blog it's like reaching into a hat and drawing a name or a prize. It's addicting in a good way! And a bad way.
So here's the plan.
I sent out a query on the book about a month ago. According to the publishers info, they respond to queries in 4 - 6 weeks. So by May 1, I should hear for them. I want to say I should get my rejection, but let's not be too negative, right? If they want to see the manuscript, I will be crazy with prep and formatting. But if they don't want to see it, then I must go to the next step, submitting it to a writers service that critiques it, rates it, and offers it to multiple publishers. Either way, May is a month to kick the book into high gear. The Lord made that plain to me this morning, and I don't often blame Him for things like this, so I don't say that lightly.
What about the widows blog? Please pray for that. I'm going to take a sabbatical from it for the month of May. Pray that I don't lose all my readers! As soon as I post this I'm going to write the explanation and schedule it for Monday, May 2.
What about this blog? I'm taking a break from this one, too. Those of you who read it know my phone number, so call me if you want to hear from me. Really! I'm not isolating myself from YOU, I'm isolating ME from the Internet!
What about Facebook? That's got to go, too. I'll still reply to messages and emails, but will not go to my wall. It's too distracting and hyper.
I still love you. I still want to talk to you, hear from you, visit, do lunch, whatever. I'm just saying please help me focus on the book in May by supporting my isolation from these other distractions. And of course, pray, pray, pray!
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Oh! And the diet! Today is the recommended final day of Phase 1 which did not allow any starches or sugars. All we've been eating are proteins and vegetables. I'm so sick of eggs for breakfast! I yearn for a nice little muffin or the tiniest slice of warm toast with melty peanut butter alongside my morning coffee! Good news is we have shed some pounds and Tom thinks he might be able to live with this sort of eating style. He's enjoyed my packing him a club salad for lunch, along with maybe some soup or chili; and lots of fresh veggies with a cheese stick or handful of nuts for snacking. He also likes his hot breakfast before he leaves for work, and coming home to something planned. We also can go out for a nice steak, we just don't eat from the bread basket or have a potato. Evening snacks have been more challenging, but we had chilled shrimp one night, stuffed mushrooms another, and turkey pepperoni with melted cheese over some pizza vegetables and they've all been more than adequate compensation.
It's a lot of work and grocery shopping for me, but with our health at stake, I'm going to pay one way or another and I think this is the better alternative. One thing I've learned tho--I don't tolerate the artificial sweeteners! Two different nights I put them on my evening snack--the second night I realized they make me very hyper! No more!
###
Thanks for checking in on me. If you're feeling blog withdrawal pains, visit the blogs listed on the right side column. I know you'll love them! You'll go on my friend Jan's world tour, visit my nephew and his family in China, get a laugh from some funny ladies, great recipes from Melanie, etc. (Note to Mom-- the "Snarky Fun" blog is by Dean's daughter! She's a blast!)
Check back in June!
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