Writing is Harder than I Thought

Posted on December 14, 2018 by thepersistentplatypus

I am still chugging away at my novel! I am just over 24,500 words now and it has felt like a lifetime of effort! I flew through the first 20,000 and the last two weeks all I have been able to do is 4,000 words.

Being a mom, teacher and wife takes up all of my time. Add on housework, Christmas shopping, working out, grading essays, and countless other responsibilities that are required for caring for a two year old: there just is no time left to write. And when I do find the time, I feel exhausted and don’t want to write. Then I feel guilty. It has been a cycle! Ugh!

It has been a huge undertaking to commit to writing every single day. I have only missed three days since Nov 1. I am really proud to say that. Some days all I can get out are like 30 words, but it counts. It all adds up.

I have been learning that I don’t have be ashamed of small progress. I have to stop putting myself down when I don’t live up to the incredibly high standards I set for myself. Slow and steady. One step at a time. One word at a time.

I will write my novel. It will happen. It is happening. It’s growing everyday. And for that, I am proud!

Encouragement Goes A Long Way

Posted on October 16, 2018 by thepersistentplatypus

Thank you for all your encouragement and words of wisdom about how I can overcome my writer’s block! It truly helps me refocus and stop being so hard on myself.

Tonight I had an incredible experience. I was fortunate enough to go out to dinner with an accomplished author, and she was able to share her story and provide me with valuable insight. She encouraged me to trust myself and my creative thought. Not to listen to the voice inside my head that says I’m not good enough, or my ideas are stupid. She made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my writing journey. She had been in my place, and so many others have been there before me. It’s not just me. She even said she would help me along the way. ❤️ My heart could have burst!

It felt as if God aligned this moment for me. Just as I was struggling with confidence in my writing ability, this incredible woman came to switch my mindset. As if God himself was encouraging me to go forward in good faith that he gave me a voice, and I can do it!

I just feel so invigorated! Like a burden was lifted and I can be free to express my creativity without judgment! It’s ok to let loose and trust in my own voice!

Who’s Excited?!

Posted on July 31, 2016 by thepersistentplatypus

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child!! SO PUMPED!

Getting close!

Posted on July 16, 2015 by thepersistentplatypus

My classroom is almost finished and I am loving it!! Here are some more pictures!

Man’s greatest talent

Posted on April 12, 2015 by thepersistentplatypus

i must say that the written word, is man’s greatest talent. I love kissing myself in pieces of beautiful language and feeling the emotions of the writer, based solely on their word choice. I love the feeling of anticipation when I am sucked into a book that I cannot put down! And I long to experience the pure excitement of starting a new book!

Can you relate?

A must read!

Posted on February 27, 2015 by thepersistentplatypus

I cannot put this book down! It is Sarah’s Key, and it is the most eye-opening, beautiful, heart wrenching story I have read in a long time. It is about a young Jewish girl in occupied France during WWII, who locks her brother in their secret cupboard when the Frech Police come to round them up. What we learn throughout the story is the fate of the men, women and children who experience the Frech round ups. Around 13,000 Jewish people were taken during this time and sent off to labor camps and eventually death camps. I had never heard of these round ups before I read the book so I have learned so much about history and the depths of the human heart.

If you are at all interested in this time period, you should check out this book!