Color Me Exhausted
This was the last week of school. Not only did I have to administer exams and keep the natives from going crazy; but I had to pack up my entire classroom, go through eleven years worth of files and lesson plans, and clear out a lot of junk. The mental energy you exert will start to unravel anyone’s brain.
And let me tell you, the brain is feeling somewhat scrambled. I’m hoping to blog more regularly, once work is done. And then, I get to go into my full-time summer writing mode. LOVE IT.
But there are some downsides to being an author. When I published my first book, I was over the moon when the DHL postman arrived with a printout of my galleys. I gleefully went over the manuscript with a red pen, searching for any typos and cross-checking the British spelling (it always throws me off). Now when I see the DHL man, I want to let out a primal scream. Because it means that whatever I’m writing or currently plotting has to get shoved onto the backburner while I work on copyedits. I think it’ll get better when I’m off from work (tomorrow! 
). Then I can sit down with a pot of coffee (and some walnut brownies) and knock them out.
I’m working on the Viking story again, while balancing the aforementioned copyedits and self-imposed revisions on Wedded to the Enemy. I think I need a clone. But then I stop every once in a while and I think, wow. It amazes me to think that I’m living a dream here. So even though I want to hide from the DHL man when the truck comes around, I’m so very grateful for this chance to tell my stories.
SweetBaby(tm) decided that after almost two weeks of sleeping through the night, I needed reminding of how lucky I am. Last night, for old times sake, he decided to stay up until 10 p.m., shooting my writing schedule to pieces (I had to stay up later to make up for that), and then he woke up at 1:30. Screamed and screamed. I managed to get him back to bed without feeding him, but he was a neurotic little boy, gripping my arm like he’d had a nightmare or something. Not sure what that was about, but hopefully he’ll get his act together tonight. I’m feeling a bit like the DHL truck ran over me, but we’ll work it out.
Michelle posted in Writing @ 9:46 pm | Viewed 1376 times
beth Says:
Hurrah for the end of school!
So…I’ll bite, why are you packing up 11 years worth of stuff?
Aww…hope SweetBaby is just having a little bit of separation anxiety and not bad dreams.
Melissa Marsh Says:
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing - why you were packing up 11 years worth of stuff.
I wish I could stay home during the summer with the kids, but I’m afraid I would go stir-crazy. Since I’m not a heat person anyway, staying in the house all day without any adult interaction would probably make me nutso.
Lexi Connor Says:
Yes, tell us why you’re packing. Curious minds want to know. Congrats on finishing the year! I’ve been out for a week now and living my dream, writing 8-10 hours a day (no kids, remember?) and exercising. It’s awesome!
beth Says:
I figure it’s one of two things:
)
1) She gets to write full time now (
or
2) They’re remodeling the school over the summer.
I vote for #1
Jean Says:
I’m rooting for the going full-time author option.
Amy Says:
SweetBaby will remember to sleep through the night again.
You are very lucky.
It would be nicer if DHL driver would check with you about your current writing schedule before mucking it up.
Are you retiring from teaching or moving classrooms? Why the pack-up? (My mom just retired and she gets one day to pack her entire room…after 19 years of teaching).
Kacey Says:
Yay for summer break!!
Hope SweetBaby goes back to sleeping through the night!
Michelle Says:
Yep, you guessed it. I’m a full-time writer now. Let’s hope it works out for me!
Lexi Connor Says:
No more teaching???? Congratulations! You’ve just inspired me to get my butt back in gear and focus on my goals! (Which also include packing up my classroom and not having to put up with one more snot-nosed brat talking back!)