Monday, August 2, 2021

Writing while Vacating

 You know, the word VACATION has the root word VACATE.

I have currently vacated...my brain.


Except you know what, yes I give myself days off, but mostly not. Mostly I plan to write 1000 words a day everyday of my vacation. I don't even think it'll be hard because I am right now powering through the black moment, the ending explosion, the wild, exciting (My Opinion, okay!) ending of my current work in progress. 

When I sit down to write my 1000 words it's going FAST.

I know exactly what I intend to do. I've got a clear vision of the GRAND FINALE!

It's really a fun action scene, fighting for life and death, hanging from the cliff, you know, the usual. But I'm having fun writing this so I suspect if I get the laptop open, the book document open, I'll just zip through those 1000 words. 

No Problem.


So I'm playing all day as hard as I can. Surrounded by lake water and boats and grandkids.

And even with that, yep. I plan of writing my 1000 words. If I fail a few days (which I definitely do on occasion) that's where I grant myself forgiveness. And the next day go right back to work.

So a quiet little blog. I'll give away a couple of copies of A Man with a Past to try and earn YOUR forgiveness for my little advice column today.

Do you take days off? Does work meets vacation ruin both?

Leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for a signed copy of A Man with a Past.

 

Falcon Hunt awakens without a past, or at least not one he can recall. He's got brothers he can't remember, and he's interested in the prettiest woman in the area, Cheyenne. Only trouble is, a few flashes of memory make Falcon wonder if he's already married. He can't imagine abandoning a wife. But his pa did just that--twice. When Falcon claims his inheritance in the West, Cheyenne is cut out of the ranch she was raised on, leaving her bitter and angry. And then Falcon kisses her, adding confusion and attraction to the mix.

Soon it's clear someone is gunning for the Hunt brothers. When one of his brothers is shot, Falcon and Cheyenne set out to find who attacked him. They encounter rustled cattle, traitorous cowhands, a missing woman, and outlaws that take all their savvy to overcome. As love grows between these two independent people, Falcon must piece together his past if they're to have any chance at a future. 

http://www.maryconnealy.com

23 comments:

  1. Have fun on your vacation.... but gosh, I do the same thing. I'm up early so I get that 1K in before the world intrudes and that way I can keep the story in my mind. But I do love going off and seeing friends and family!

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    1. Hey Ruthy, Pumpkin Woman. Write and play and write some more.
      Today I've gone out for lunch. Had coffee on the deck with my daughters and granddaughters, gone boating, and am now checking Seekerville (at last). Tonight is Fish Fry night.

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  2. There is nothing wrong with working on a vacation if it's work you love. I like to print things out, grab a red pen, and line-edit at the lake or beach. OR get up early and work for an hour or so. I feel less guilty when I'm not working if I work first. Does that make sense?
    Please put my name in the drawing.
    Kathy Bailey
    Your Kaybee
    Squeezing every last drop out of summer

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    1. Kathy I think 'work you love' is the key. That's a writer for you.

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  3. I am now retired, so am on vacation everyday! Thanks for the giveaway!
    rita.navarre@yahoo.com

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    1. Hi Rita. My Cowboy (husband) is retired. I'll have to remind him he's on vacation everyday! :)

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  4. I can't write on vacation. I can't write when I am getting ready for vacation. I really need to learn a better process for getting ready to go away! I hope you enjoy your vacation.

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    1. Sandy every author has to do what works for them. I think maybe 'getting away' truly, is a good idea. I oughta try it!

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  5. I took work with me on vacation in July, but I didn't get it out to work on. Not one single day.

    BUT - I came home refreshed and energized, with a dozen more story ideas whirling in my head. Then the few days at home between vacation and a writer's/reader's retreat (saying hello to my Mississippi River Readers Retreat peeps!) I got much more work done than I would have without the break.

    Sometimes, I just need to unplug!

    Have a wonderful time on your vacation, and enjoy the writing time, too. :-)

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    1. There you go, Jan. That sounds like a great thing, refreshed and energized.

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    2. Jan, it was so good to see you at the Readers Retreat! I had such a good time.

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  6. I'm not sure what a vacation is ...
    Just kidding! We took a couple days and went exploring Chattanooga earlier this summer, and there was no time to do anything but vacation those days. But, I do tend to write no matter what--vacation or otherwise. I have friends who take a summer off or Sundays. But my muse doesn't shut up just because it's a different season or day. So, if I think I can pound out a few thousand, I go ahead and sit down to do it, because I do have off days. Besides, it's fun to write. :-)

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    1. Amy except for this one vacation a year, we don't do much. And this last year is a worst case example of us.

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  7. I'm not a writer, but I love your books. I am also retired so everyday is kind of a vacation. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.

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    1. Hi Gloria, thank you so much. Your name is in the drawing!

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  8. Your book sounds interesting and fun to read. I'm not a writer just a reader. Thank you for the chance

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    1. Donamae, we all LOVE readers. Thank you very much for reading. You're in the drawing!

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  9. Your books sounds like such a great book I love to read Thank you for the chance!

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    1. Sarah I think they're a lot of fun. Winners will be announced Saturday in the Weekend Edition. Check back then to see if you won!

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  10. Hi Mary:

    Writing is life and life often depends on context. As for myself, writing has always been a major joy of being on vacation. I'm free to write!

    Yet, if writing is work, if it is your job, then writing while on vacation depends. If writing interferes with the fun things you wanted to do on vacation, then it is a killjoy. But, if writing does not really intrude, such as writing while you enjoy the great outdoors and take in the majestic views, then writing might actually enhance your vacation enjoyment.

    Writing is like a blank page waiting to fulfill itself.

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    1. That's a nice way to look at it, Vince and the last line should be a Facebook Meme.

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  11. General advice is when you go on vacation, don’t take your work with you. But if your work is something you enjoy, and your vacation is inspiring to you, then by all means, let the creative juices flow! Just don’t let it be stressful, because that’s when it really is work. lol
    Hope your writing is going well, but you’re also having a great time with grandkids!

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    1. Holly for me, I think I'm afraid that if I ever once really take a true break...what if I can't get back to it? What if I fall out of the habit. I'm too afraid to test it!

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