Writing Sprints

Yesterday, I had what I like to think of as a writing sprint. Some days its hard to write a single word. To make my self-imposed word count deadline I have to focus until my head hurts. But, every once in a while, like today, I go through a writing sprint. I cannot get the words out fast enough. I can write 6-12 thousand words in a single day.

I love these days. So much gets done. But what triggers it to happen? I have no idea. Does this ever happen to you? Or can you ever read a ton one day and then not read very much the next?

Having to Change my Work-in-Progress

Before the recent tragedy that rocked my world, I was working on a project I've tentatively called Embraced. It is the second book in a series called The Conditioned. The first book, Eye Contact, released last Friday and if you want information about that please see the blog post before this one.

Embraced is a dark Fantasy Romance that deals with a lot of issues outside of the core love story. I love it. I love working on.

But man-oh-man, its hard to write it right now. I couldn't get through it. It almost seemed like I could not write at all. Finally, one evening it occurred to me: it was better to write something than to write nothing at all.

In the back of my mind, always put off for another day, I've had this idea for a light, sexy fantasy romance that would be a little different for me. Suddenly, it seemed this idea had come to fruition. It was time to write it. Right now.

I think it was the correct decision. My muse is back in order. The ideas are flowing. And hopefully when I am done, my mind will be in such a place that a darker look at love will be an okay thing to do. Embraced will wait a few weeks for me. And in the mean time, I can make the words flow.

Hijacked

About two weeks ago, I was hijacked by a short story that took me away from my work in progress. I literally had to stop everything I was writing and write that instead. I'm glad I did. I think it turned out well.

How is the writing going for all of you?

How do I write with the kids around?

I have a friend who is a playwright. He would like more time to write but finds he can't do it in anything but absolute silence and therefore, with three kids, it just doesn't happen. He wanted to know how I could possibly be productive with 3 kids around.

Here's the thing. I have ADD. I'm not just saying this lightly. I do have it. I'm also dyslexic. All of this was diagnosed when I was in 3rd grade. (Many, many moons ago...) I've never been medicated and for the most part I keep it under control.

Except...

I am always doing three things at once, even if you don't know that I am. Sitting at dinner having a conversation with me? I'm talking to you and writing my next book in my head. You'll really have no idea its going on. I might also, at the same time, be compiling a grocery list or thinking about the last episode of Lost.

If my children are running around making noise, it actually enables me to write better. The part of my brain that is forever 'on' and needs distraction has something else to do as it listens to DS#1 explain to DS#2 why Curious George is a great monkey and I can write my story. If you left me in a quiet house to do it, I will talk on the phone, check my e-mail go get lunch, anything for another thing to do at the same time.

I realize this seems odd to a lot of people for whom this would be really, really difficult. But for me, it's the only way to function.

How do you write?