One of the problems I've faced as an irregularly published writer is an irregular output of words. It's been that way for ten years; sometimes because I allow my life to get in the way of my work and sometimes because I'm just a slow writer. I'm envious of people who can crank out 2000 words a day and edit only a little thereafter; that sort of output from me would end up looking like, 'All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy. All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy....' You get the idea.
And the truth is, I was a better writer when I permitted myself a healthy dose of suspicion for social networking. When I didn't have anything outside my work to check except my email, I was less prone to distraction. Worse, my work output has grown more irregular since I finished TWSP in 2012. When I was deep in a big project, my work was steady, even if I only wrote about 1000 words a day.
I want that rhythm back, and I think there might only be one way to get it. I need to get off the Internet, and I need a big project. In the first case, that just means a social networking hiatus of sorts, where I'm only checking in from time to time, except where I'm the moderator of a community. In the second case, the worldbuilding and outline of Motherland I is in the can, and I'll be diving into it as soon as I finish 'C is for Cloister' (which is slow going, but pretty good so far).
So that's what I think my summer writing will look like; less social networking and more steady writing.
As for the Gàidhlig; I'm still enrolled in the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig introductory course, which concludes in a few weeks. It's been painfully easy for me, but I don't think I'm quite ready to test out of the first year altogether. I've seen a list of things I would have to know in order to do that, and my knowledge is too spotty at the upper end of the year's material. However, I am looking forward to a summer free of regular Gàidhlig classes. I've been at this language for nearly four years now to the exclusion of other important things in my life, and I need to re-empower those things. I want to drum again, sing again, strengthen my tinwhistle skills. I miss music a great deal, and it's time to let the Gàidhlig language germinate in my mind and heart while I invest in Celtic (and perhaps West African) music again. In the fall, I hope to be ready to move on to the next semester of language coursework.
And of course, there's the land, and the trees, and the garden to think about. That'll take up quite a bit of time, to be sure.
So, with those things in mind, I'll bid you all a happy Spring. I'll still be around, but perhaps with a lighter presence while I write, play music and grow things. Be well, everyone.
