Attack of the Lack of Focus

As per usual, I must confess that life had a way of taking over this week. With the exception of writer's group on Tuesday the only real writing related activity in my week was digging out the 160 handwritten pages of rough draft I had hiding in my office closet. I can't even honestly admit to reading it over. It was, however, tucked inside "The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing" by Evan Marshall; the book that actually made it possible for my "lack-of-focus" personality to get that much of a novel written, and the book that I hope will help me to finish it as well.

Now, I could choose to look at it negatively and see the fact that for all the writing I have done in the past I still have not managed to complete a novel-length manuscript. I am, however, going to see it as a success that I got that far and pat myself on the back for a job well done. Keep in mind that I haven't actually read it over and it may, in fact, not be all that well done at all. Hopefully by next week I will have read it and be able to let you all know. If I can focus that long.

Aromatherapy Tip: Peppermint oil for focus.

While there are other essential oils used to help achieve focus my favorite is definitely peppermint e.o. A couple drops on a nearby lightbulb (keep in mind this can leave a sticky resin-like residue with many oils) or a couple drops on a cotton ball is all that is needed. Of course there are also peppermint candies. Keep some of these on your desk when you're writing to keep you focused on your next project. And if peppermint doesn't help improve your focus, at least you'll get the pleasure of a great tasting treat. Maybe it will even be enough to sustain you through your final draft.


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From The Beginning

Writing, to me, is all about capturing life. The unbelieveable as well as the mundane, often unoticed aspects. Take, for instance, my life. Last week my 16 year old fell asleep at the wheel on her way home for the night. She hit a lamp standard dead center and managed to shear it off at the base and carry it down the road with her. It crushed her vehicle right down the center, destroying the car from front to back. She, however, stepped out of the car without a scratch. The only mark on her was a small skin abrasion on her neck from the seatbelt. Her angels were busy that day.

Three days later, my 19 year old was with a group of friends who were driving into the city. She had been drinking and needed to go pee, so the driver pulled to the side of the highway for her. In her defense, the truck they were in is a very big truck. However, she managed to "fall" out of the truck and land in the ditch, on her head, splitting it wide open. To make a long story short, she ended up in the emergency department and is currently sporting two staples in her head.

I find it totally absurd. One kid has a major car wreck and no injuries, while the other splits her head open taking a piss. All in the same week. No wonder I'm not entirely sane. But this is what writing is about. Capturing the ironies and the wonders. And being grateful for it all.