Sunday, August 23, 2009

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

All you parents out there know what I'm talking about. We're a week away from the start of school in my community. And that week cannot pass soon enough.

Mean mommy? Oh, no. Don't even go there.

For the past three months, as I've taught my oldest to drive and watched with baited breath as he drove off with newly licensed friends, as I worried about my youngest riding his bike all over hell and gone and what he was eating while he was out and what he was doing exactly, I longed for the days of fighting over homework and bedtime. And for the return of eight hours of uninterrupted writing time.

I've been writing for a decent number of years, since before my children were born. I learned to write under deadline in a daily newspaper office. I know how to shut it out and get the words written. After my kids were born, I got my first laptop specifically so I could take them to the pool and still work. I used to pride myself on the fact that I could write anywhere under any conditions.

Twenty other moms talking? No problem. Soccer practice? I can stop balls with my feet on the sidelines and not miss a word. Baseball practice? The coach used to position a player right in front of me during warmups so I didn't get hit with a ball. Loved that guy. Indoor swim practice? Bleachers are absolute hell on the back but if you turn sideways and put the laptop on the seat, no problem. Added bonus? It was warm in the winter.

Today, with the exception of karate, sports practices are no longer something I have to attend and my youngest spent one day at the pool. Without me.

However, I've had to deal with a steady stream of teenagers in and out of my house, loud music, louder fights between siblings and general mayhem. All of which hasn't been condusive to writing.

I had a self-imposed deadline of July 31 to finish my next EC story. I submitted it a week ago. I promised my agent a book on her desk by early September. It'll be there. Because there's a light at the end of the tunnel. And it's the headlights of the school bus coming to take my children away. (Okay, so they walk. Don't bog me down in details.)

August 31 is only a week away. I'm hanging on by my fingernails but I'm hanging on. I may only have one nail (and one nerve) left by the time next Monday rolls around but they'll grow back.
And peace and quiet will reign. And it will be good.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi :)
Thanks for sharing such a personal blog post.
My children look forward to starting school this Fall too.
It takes a few days of getting used to the "too quiet" feeling for me.
:)
Love & Best Wishes to you & yours,
twitter: @RKCharron
xoxo

Stephanie Julian said...

KRCharron, thanks for stopping. Sounds like your children must be young and I so envy you that age. Teenagers are hell.

BookHounds said...

I loved this post. I just got my son to go back to school tonight. He is a senior in college and I was thinking "I am NOT going to have an issue with being an empty nester!"
After this last visit, my husband said we should sell the house and move with no forwarding address.

Stephanie Julian said...

thanks Mary, and lol. my parents used to threaten that with my brother but that would have left him with me!

~Sia McKye~ said...

Lolol! I'm so glad Jake is in school. Amen on the peace and quiet. Well, sorta. Now I have to deal with work crews working on my house, a family member who is staying with me and loves drama and emotional upheavals. Can I just say, I hate drama, unless it's on TV. I can always hit the button and turn it off. No so easy with a sibling, tho' god knows, I've tried. Lolol!

I can do deadlines. I've worked with them all my working life. But there is a WIP I need to get to and have had no spare time right now to get to them. sigh...

Stephanie Julian said...

Sia, I hope your house guest will be moving on soon. That's doesn't sound like a very good situation.

VampFanGirl said...

Whew, I'm in awe of your Writing Anywhere abilities. I'm easily distracted with virtually everything I do. Short attention-span.

Congrats on the upcoming school days to get your kids out of the house! Woot!

;) VFG

Stephanie Julian said...

thanks VampFanGirl. Thanks for stopping by.

Unknown said...

love the new layout. i'm a fb friend. following you, if you want, pop in and follow mine. i have all things books.
xo

Angel said...

Stephanie,
Love the new look. Really pretty! I definitely sympathize with the return to school needs. Lucky for me, mine returned 2 weeks ago. Yay!!! And the youngest started kindergarten. I think I've found heaven. :)

Stephanie Julian said...

Kelly, thanks for stopping by. I'll pop over and follow up.

Stephanie Julian said...

Angel, enjoy that alone time. it really is precious!