Embrace the Chaos

As the warm sun heralds us into what some of us call "summer BREAK" I'm forced into a balancing act with the exuberant energy of my children and the steadfast demands of my work-in-progress projects. It’s a delicate dance, one that requires flexibility, creativity, and a healthy sense of humor.
I have a history of clocking out as an author during the summer, becoming too overwhelmed with the kids and my trying to actually finish a book. But I've decided to take a different approach this year. The first step, being, to roll with the punches. Embrace the chaos. Summer break transforms our home into a lively hub of activity, with laughter echoing through the halls and endless requests for snacks. At least, some of the time. A lot of the days are filled with breaking up fights, keeping meltdowns at bay and keeping from melting or passing out in the heat that my kids insist on dragging me out into. Instead of resisting, I've learned to cherish these moments as best I could. They remind me of the joys of childhood, and, surprisingly, they often fuel my creativity. It's completely different from when I was a child. An only child. In a neighborhood full of kids my age to play with. Sprinklers to jump through, a bucket to call my pool and a hose to drink from. In my backyard, my kids have a trampoline, pool, chalk, sandbox, toys galore and tablets. And yet...they still insist on being by my side or playing Mortal Kombat with one another.

I know I may not finish a book this summer. But when my kids are in the pool, I have a few minutes to write without too many fights. To maintain my sanity and productivity, setting realistic expectations is crucial, though. I don't set a crazy schedule for writing. Just think, "Are the kids occupied? Then it's time to write!" My latest tool is earning money by doing educational games on their tablets or worksheets I've printed. My youngest is still learning to read, and is starting 2nd grade this Fall. For every 30 minutes of ABC DuoLingo she plays, she earns a dollar. She doesn't usually do more than that half-hour, but it's enough for me to get 500 words or so written.

Another vital strategy is delegation. Enlisting the help of family members, friends, or even hiring a babysitter, i.e. my teenage step-son (yes, we pay him) for a few hours can provide the precious time I need to advance my projects. It’s a win-win situation: my children get to interact with others, and I get a moment of peace to concentrate. They love hanging out with their big brother, anyways.
In the midst of the summer whirlwind, it's important to celebrate the small wins. Whether it's completing a chapter or simply enjoying a peaceful moment with my kids, acknowledging these achievements helps keep me motivated. It helps that I have other writer friends to keep me motivated and feeling upbeat about it all.

I guess this means the deadline for September that I have with my editor for A Shield of Blood and Honor isn't too far out of reach. Keep your fingers crossed, everyone!​