I haven’t had a whole lot of downtime in the past year. It’s been a year since we found out we were going to have twins, news that came around the same time I knew I needed to write four novels before they would arrive.
If I thought I didn’t have much time before the twins, well–suffice to say life is a whole lot busier now that those two beautiful smiling faces entered my life.
I’ve shared some things about this past year but I’ve kept a lot to myself. Those wondering about all my posts on Twitter need to know that I usually do that while holding a sleeping baby in my arm. Or when I feel the need to stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon and yell into the deep endless hole of silence that comes when writing full-time.
This past year has been full of so many emotions: fear, joy, question, relief, wonder, thanksgiving. I could go on but I won’t. I’m thankful for the blessings I’ve been given, but that still doesn’t mean that there are days or nights when I’m wondering when this craziness will end.
I’ve always been driven when it came to my writing. My number one talent in writing is my persistence and my driven nature. This has not stopped since the twins were born. Rather, it’s intensified. I’ve realized that I have even less time than I had before. So I try to make every moment of every day count.
And that, as you probably know, can be exhausting.
I have not had a homerun success yet, so I’m still in the uphill battle trying to “knock one out of the park.” So while I’m still in this writing game, I know that every moment counts. Every time I stand at the plate, I’m given a chance to do something special and noteworthy.
There are days when I’m continuing the marathon, keeping my word count, keeping track of my ideas, trying like crazy to come up with really original and special storylines, then going home to be a daddy that’s still so ill-prepared to be a father of three girls. Days when I know that every moment counts because who knows what the future holds. Days when I’m just taking it step by step, moment by moment.
I’m really lucky. So I tell myself when I feel like it’s all work and no play and I need a major vacation. I’m lucky because I love what I do and I love that God has blessed me in so many ways.
And now, back to work . . .
I've wandered all over your many posts, and as I've said before, I enjoy reading what you and others have written. What I really enjoy most is reading your assorted thoughts on different topics.
I heard and understood the many challenges you face in being a husband, father, and provider. The many struggles we all face can be summed up in the words of an old preacher. He said that living the Christian life can be so 'daily'. I've always remembered that.
I've been giving some thought to the important writing project you mentioned in today's post. Looking forward to reading the epic I know you're holding in your heart and yet to write on paper. Maybe this story will move me even more than The Bronze Horseman. If so, it will definitely be worth the wait!
As I mentioned before, I'm reading through all your books, and "Out of the Devil's Mouth" just arrived in today's mail. Gotta go. I've reading to do!
Thanks Myra! Appreciate the encouragement and wisdom. Out of the Devil's Mouth was a fun little story. Hope you like it!