CRASH and BURN

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

I believe I am suffering from some writing burnout…

On Tuesday, May 10th, I finished writing the first draft of my first novel – 68,433 words! I am elated and also worn out. It has been a busy six months. Since November 2015, we moved from Florida to Colorado. In that time, I have read and reviewed approximately 30 books. I have written countless blog posts and even beta read a couple of novels for friends. Of course, this is all on top of the millions of other things we all accomplish in our day-to-day lives!

Writers burnout is a real thing. I know when the burnout sneaks up on me, I have to do something else. My motto is, “Step away from the computer!” (Although here I am writing a blog post!) On top of that, I have had spring fever. So yesterday, Ron and I had a marvelous day. It was a glorious 70+ degrees F. I even got a bit of a sunburn! Nothing like a red nose to make everyone smile! J

We mowed and edged our tiny lawn, front, and back. We placed our galvanized metal sheep troughs in the rocks in our back garden so that I could fill them with dirt. This is going to be the perfect environment for growing veggies.

1 foot deep, 6 foot long – sheep troughs

Drilling holes for Drainage

I put landscaping cloth in the bottom so the dirt wouldn’t drain out of the holes. I kept my grass clippings and mixed them in with the dirt, compost, and garden soil.

Filling the troughs

A great planter idea

I searched for an idea for months looking for an affordable planting area that could take the hot sun, the wind, and the snow and cold that is part of living in the Rocky Mountains. The best part of this is the metal will retain the heat of the day so my plant’s roots will be protected during the cool nights. I am excited! I have a yellow pear tomato, a cherry tomato, and an eggplant on the sunny window ledge of my dining room, waiting until it is warm enough to plant. Zucchini, cucumbers, and peppers can’t be far behind!

The only trouble is, now I am physically AND mentally worn out! I don’t really mind because how fabulous is it to be worn out from doing the things you love – writing and gardening?

I decided that I need a few days off. I will see you all on Monday! Book reviews will continue next week. I apologize for the delay! ❤ Hugs to you all and have a fabulous weekend.

48 thoughts on “CRASH and BURN”

  2. Good! Take a Sabbatical ☺. I try not to blog on Friday nights and Saturdays. Everyone needs a rest! Plus it gives me time to check in on all the blogs I follow. Your home is so pretty by the way. I love looking at it lol.

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    1. Thanks, Yecheilyah. I would like to get to where I take two days off. The weather is so erratic that you have to go outside when it is nice and stay in when it is not. LOL! Yesterday was gorgeous, today is rainy. It’s all good! 😀 I like your idea of Friday and Saturday off! Thanks so much I love this blue house. I have yellow shutters and a yellow door. I never would have picked these colors but when I saw them together I loved them! ❤

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          2. LOL! I posted that especially for you! 😀 It does make for a sunny day! LOL! ❤

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    1. Thanks, Al. I do need a break. I have not visited you all in ages. I hope to get on track this week. Have a great weekend. ❤

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    1. Thank you, Annette! Chocolate cake sounds so darn good! LOL! 😀 Next week, when Wendy Anne Darling visits! ❤

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  7. 🙂 Does sound as though you’re burnt out! Now is the time to book a holiday on a yacht.

    Good luck with the garden!

    You know, what concerns editing: We’re so conditioned to “know” that the first draft needs to be edited before it’s ready for publishing, we think we’re supposed to launch right into that! Actually a few weeks away can do wonders for your perspective when you return to your book. I often find that trying to edit what one has just written is not easy; it’s too “fresh”. It needs to mature.

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    1. That is what I am doing. I have a dear friend working on the first edit for me. I actually have another friend looking at it too. After a couple weeks I figure I can start on it again. I am just worn out. I have a thyroid condition where I get tired easily. When I get like this, I know I have to recharge! 😀 Thanks for the great suggestions. ❤

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        1. I had my thyroid out quite a few years ago. It is what it is. I just get tired easily and have to back off. You know how it gets when you get to writing… 😉

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          1. Wow, that sounds like a pretty invasive op. Doesn’t it throw your entire sleep-wake cycle into chaos? 😉 Yes I know, our characters hijack us and when we look up it’s morning…

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    1. This is the story I developed from some blog posts on the “swamp fairy,” I wrote about when we lived in Florida. I wrote this as a piece of YA fiction aimed at 14 years and up. It is the story of a girl who helps to rescue a community of swamp fairies and discovers the true meaning of what being part of a family is all about. It is an adventure, a mystery, and a fantasy! ❤

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  12. So good to read you are enjoying life to the full, Colleen. That’s what it is all about. Keep doing it. As I have said before “life is like a toilet roll. The nearer you get to the end, the quicker it seems to run out.”

    Keep on enjoying what you love doing the most.

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  14. Hey, dearest Colleen, now I wish I was resting too. I’m tired too. So you rest so when you are back, I go for mine. How does that sound?
    Thumbs up on all you have accomplished so far, a toast to you!

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  15. I love what you have done with your garden. We still wait for the house we are buying to be hours. Might as well be July until we get in. It’s getting tedious. Your post reminded me of what I read in Julia Cameron’s “The Artists Way”. She suggests a weekly “Artists Date” where you go and do something for your inner artist’s child. Preferably try something out that you always wanted to do. If you wanted to be a ballet dancer get yourself lessons and if you cannot afford them go on YouTube and watch a ballet video. I like the idea of getting yourself out of the routine and be a bit of an explorer. Thanks for sharing your experience with us :-). Oh by the way “Mindful Monday” is thriving on “A Spirit of Healing” 🙂 http://aspiritofhealing.com/?cat=6

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    1. Oh, Bee thank you so much. I hope to bring mindful Monday back. I miss it so. Your artist’s date sounds delightful. Today, I spent the day visiting folks. That has been fulfilling! ❤

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      1. You are welcome! That’s so important especially as a writer. I am glad you had a nice day. Just give me a shout when you bring back Mindful Monday 🙂

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    1. Jade, thank you so much for your vote of confidence. I have not heard back from my editor friend yet. The work starts when she returns the first draft… It is daunting, yet exciting! 😀 ❤

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