Not Enough Time!

One of my favorite quotes from Star Trek: Generations (yes, there is actually a good line or two) comes from Jean Luc Picard.  “Someone once told me that time was a predator that stalked us all our lives, but I rather believe that time is a companion who goes with us on the journey and reminds us to cherish every moment because they'll never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived.”  While Captain Picard is an amazing character, and that line is very well written, I’d challenge him to writing your 2nd book while working a full time job, Captain!

I turned around and suddenly my son turned 18 and is going to college.  My peanut, also known as my daughter, is going to High School next year.  I’m not sure how this can be happening, because I’m pretty sure I’m still in my 20s and am planning on living off of writing amazing books, screenplays, and comic books.  Um, would someone please tell me wtf is going on?  (If you are new here I turn 42 in June)  I feel like I’m being stalked by time, and I’d really prefer that ‘companion’ instead.  

I don’t ever really stop doing stuff.  I spent last Saturday watching movies with my family, which was great.  This also meant I spent last Saturday doing marketing stuff for the book, while watching movies.  (Hopefully I can share some marketing results next week!!!)  My point is, how can time speed by so fast when I squeeze every ounce out of it?

I feel so very behind with the sequel, Buried in Angst; it keeps me up at night.  I somehow calculated quite early on that I'd be working on the third book by now.  My goals are like an empty plate at the buffet line - I'm sure I can eat all that food, and I know I can keep piling on more goals.  People who are fortunate enough to write for a living, often finish one book a year.  I work full time, and shouldn’t expect the same results.  That doesn’t mean I don’t, which is frustrating.

The good news is I think I’m doing it right.  Becky, one of my best friends from college sent me an email recently, after reading an “Alpha Team“ chapter from the 2nd book.  She said “I have to tell you that I have NO changes at this point, and have been completely caught up in the story.”  Not only is Becky an amazing person, and incredibly supportive, she wouldn’t hold back telling me if I broke something.  So it is comforting to know that Buried in Angst is on track and, in spite of my fretting, it’s not bad.

At this point, it’s not about time management; it’s more like time extraction.  I can only hope that it is worth the wait, that patience is a virtue, and time will tell.