I really hope this makes it onto the blog, but, we’ll see.

I’m writing this last minute, and it has nothing to do with you. It’s all me. All me and my poor time-management, which is actually quite good at my day-job. Not sure if it’s because I’m getting paid to be responsible, or because of some secret fear of getting fired, but I’m able to do it in a cubicle. (And also, the weird desk situation I have going on with this latest gig.) Hopefully I can grab some of the magic employment dust and sprinkle it over this ol’ laptop of indieness to help with the time-management thing because sometimes, I honestly don’t know what happens.

Where the time goes.

Why my calendar didn’t update itself with a reminder.

And like, where the hell is my assistant?

It’s crazy the little amount of help I get. It’s like I’m doing this thing on my own. Absolutely crazy.

As you probably predicted, I still don’t have a title for my story. Awesome, I know. But it’s still going, still progressing, and I haven’t lost interest. Win! My job is quite distracting with all the learning and questions following me home, so putting that aside for a slice of time each night to focus on writing is paramount. And even if it’s only twenty minutes—say, writing a blog post perhaps?—it still counts. It counts because any creative brain power after a full day (or anytime really) chisels into the vault of creative energy, and that’s like tapping into the force. Even for a second, you’ve got to be proud of it. So, I am. Even of this little blog post.

I could probably chisel deeper and talk more about the job, but I’m far too many wine glasses away from revealing those details just yet. Not even sure I should here? Let’s just say, I’m one out of six females in an office of forty. Let that sink in. Only been there a little over two months and I think I’m finally used to it.

Alright, no more work-talk. No more talk-talk. I’m going to finish up this post and head over to draft # 5 of “Untitled” because the brain is still flickering with energy, and I’m going to capitalize.

Here’s to a fabulous week!

~ Lady Caitlin singing off

I started writing my April newsletter and feel this may be eerily similar, so for you pair of subscribers, I apologize for any repeat info. (This is what happens when there’s not a lot going on in a normal person/indie-author life.)

I don’t know what the deal is with this frigging title. Even after my crystal ball revealed the next few chapters, I still don’t know what to call it. Why?? WHY?!? It’s really starting to bug me. I can’t keep calling it “the story” or “Untitled.” That is beyond lame, and it’s really starting to bug me that I don’t have it yet. I’m five solid drafts into this thing, and true, it has changed quite significantly, especially in this latest rewrite, but even by now, I thought I would’ve had…something. Some shadow or idea for a title. SOMETHING. But there’s nothing. No bank of crappy titles that I can use just in case a better one doesn’t come along. I’ve got nothing.

I’m hoping it changes once I’m closer to being done. Not necessarily final draft/sending off to BETA readers—I’d kinda like it sooner than that—but it really is starting to freak me out. I should have it by now. UNLESS I haven’t written the passage from which I pull it (how I get my blog titles). Hoping that’s the case. I don’t know the title because I haven’t written it yet. Yeah, let’s go with that.

Other than waiting for my muse to assist, life is good. Work is good. Batman seems to be in great spirits, and it might be for our upcoming Orlando trip. Who knows? I don’t, and I don’t care—I’ll take it.

I’m keeping this short, because it’s all I’ve got this week, and I’ve already taken up three minutes of your time.

Hope you’re doing well and living life to the fullest. Life is too short to do it any other way.

~ Lady Caitlin signing off

Who’s got two thumbs and isn’t forgetting to post today?

This girl right here!

That’s right. Back-to-back weeks, baby. I’m almost on my normal routine again, and it’s probably because I hate feeling so guilty for missing a post. It sucks. I feel lame, and you lose your faith in me and my ability to keep up with things…so, I’d rather not do it. Hence, here I am. It’s April—and life is good.

Batman turned 35 on Saturday. He’s survived this long, so we decided to celebrate with a day at the fair. It was perfect weather—a breezy 60 degrees—and we ate fried-Oreos and rode overpriced rides and played games for stuffed prizes. It was awesome. Mostly the fried-Oreos part which made up for getting on the Ferris Wheel (heights, you know?) but he had a great time and that was the point. AKA mission accomplished.

Work is good. Every day I figure out how to do my job a little more so, that’s positive. And with that thin layer of anxiety slowly peeling off, I can focus more on writing.

I’ve been a little stuck lately, and completely attribute that to the new job. Honestly, I could handle both with equal focus, but throw in all the binge-worthy shows that Batman and I have been plowing through, and the entertainment-part of my brain wanted the treat. After a long day of learning things, I wanted to sit back and let someone else do the story telling. So, that’s what I’ve been doing.

But this past weekend, on a walk around the neighborhood, I focused on my story instead of letting my mind wander to the thousand other things it ping-pongs between, and I played through the upcoming scenes in my head, finally figuring out the next part. A main reason why I wasn’t dashing to my laptop every night was because I didn’t know what was coming next. (It’s a great side effect of being a panster.) But I focused, completely blocking everything out, and finally saw the next few scenes in my head. I know what I’m going to write now. And I’m super psyched!

Onto the optional IWSG question:

Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV, or add controversial topics to your works?

Wow, I’m boring. No, I don’t do any of those things. Not intentionally, at least. I just write to write. If something works, awesome. If it doesn’t, scrap it. I don’t really pay too much attention to the technique I’m using other than making sure it’s working for the story. And to be honest, I feel like anything I could come up with has probably already been attempted (multiple times) so I just write what works for me and the story I want to tell. Also, unless I’m passionate about the subject, I’ll steer clear of controversial topics.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.

~ Lady Caitlin signing off