Routines

I am not currently writing a novel.

I am not currently reading a novel.

It is, admittedly, unusual.  After a constant state of doing both for the past thirteen months, I have taken a free day.  Yeah, I picked up a magazine and started thumbing through, which is a nice change of pace.  I doubt I’ll make it through the end of the week—I’ll start another novel.  I don’t really have many things better to do at this point in time.  That’s another discovery I’ve made over the past year, that I enjoyed reading.  I seldom read during graduate school, though I completed a few novels.  When your avocation is reading to complete your degree, you kind of fall out of the habit of pleasure reading.  I wish I’d kept a better calculation over the past few months of what I’ve read, because those manic months where I had four books going at once were mind-bending.  And honestly, if the library had a better selection and/or I had the money to download e-books, I’d probably complete a few more.  It’ll be interesting to see what I do next.  Unless someone bestows me with a job or something even better, the writing may come to me again.  For now, we’ll see where the reading takes me…

In Review

As the month draws to a close, I am reviewing my goals that I established for myself.  I had wanted to write 20 blogs for August, and I surpassed that goal.  It wasn’t always easy but I did it.  I’m not setting a goal for September but rather seeing where life takes me.

Another goal of mine was to read more books.  I accomplished this as well, finishing an incredible four books in a single week.  I didn’t keep a tally, which was a mistake on part, but it’s safe to say I read all or part of ten books this month.

I never did figure out how to write a good cover letter, and I’ve also run dry on my job search.  This is just as well, because I have no clue what I want to be when I grow up.

Insomnia still owns me.  This is nothing new.

Looked at loads of old pictures this month, and remembered a lot of happy and sad times.  I hate being photographed so I hope I don’t look back on this period of my life and wonder where I was.

I reacquainted myself with some of my favorite artists.  It takes a lot of good music in order to write one of my novels.  I also watched quite a few movies this month—some good, some simply mediocre.

As for rediscovering honesty?  It’s an ongoing process for me, and I imagine it is for you, too.

Currently listening to “When Did You Stop Loving Me” by George Strait

Reading Rainbow

I have completed, or read in full, at least ten books so far this month.  That’s got to be some kind of record for me in my adult life.  Previously I was lucky to get through one book per month.  I guess I’ve been enjoying the quiet time that comes from reading.  It’s a time to reflect, to think, to be introspective and to escape.  In college I became so busy that I lost the will and the desire to read—sad, I know.  This year I’ve rediscovered my love for books.  Even if I don’t flat-out love a book, it’s a satisfying feeling to complete them and think critically about the inevitable life lesson contained in each story.

Bookworm

I am currently reading at least four books, which I consider mildly insane.  The fact of the matter, though, is if time and money was no object and I didn’t have cooking, cleaning, and laundry to deal with, I’d like to be reading at least ten different books right now.   It’s a bit like being back in school and having homework; some assignments are easier to complete and some books get read faster because they are more compelling.   Reading is the one hobby that has persisted throughout my life.  I suppose as long as there are books—electronic or otherwise—my metaphorical nose will be found somewhere within the pages.

Currently listening to “Escape” by Enrique Iglesias (NOW 10 makes it feel like 2002 all over again)

Ideas

In the coming months, I'd really like to:

• Read more books.  An attainable goal, but not always easy to follow through
• Learn how to write a cover letter
• Figure out why my job search is so...stagnant
• Look at more old pictures; I used to cringe at seeing myself passing through various stages of awkwardness, but now it's not so bad
• Find something that I used to enjoy and learn to enjoy it again
• Be able to sleep again.  Seriously
• Watch more movies.  Again, a simple goal that takes real effort
• Rediscover honesty

Completion, Part Two

Stop me if you've heard this one before...just kidding.  I finished my second novel.  The only thing left to do now is submit it online and design the cover.  I have to admit that it was very easy to write.  It was almost as though I created the characters and they wrote the story themselves.  I was merely the one transcribing their lives, rather than their creator.  I had my doubts but ultimately it was a very fun novel to write.  I worried I wouldn’t be able to do justice to the characters but I feel that I did.   When I was editing the novel, re-reading it, I was drawn into the story, the emotions that built up between the characters—which is weird, because it’s my story.  Then again, at the end of the day, it’s only got to make me happy.  I would love if other people read and enjoyed my story, but I also want to write something that makes me happy when I’ve completed writing it.  I will be keeping everyone up to date as the book is submitted, proofed, and listed for sale.

Currently listening to “Let It Hurt” by Rascal Flatts