Once upon a time...

[dampscribbler]

...before I got pregnant, I was writing a novel. While I was pregnant I was exhausted, and all my creative energy seemed to be going to gestation, so I ignorantly thought, 'well, when the baby is a couple of months old, I can get back to writing.'

Ha.

The baby is now 10 months old, and I'm only just starting to get back to writing. But Oregon has this wonderful organization called Literary Arts, and one of the things they do is provide fellowships to writers. The application is due tomorrow, so I've dusted off my pages and I'll be taking them downtown tomorrow, 10-month-old baby in tow.

I hadn't looked at the novel in ages. Turns out, it's really good. Not perfect, but heck, it's the beginning of a first draft. Considering that, it's really *really* good. It was so hard to tell when I was in the midst of the writing. Time has provided a great perspective. I'm motivated to start working again.

I won't know about the fellowship until December. Meantime, I guess it's time to start fighting (that voice in me that says "clean the house, do some grocery shopping, surf the web...") for time to write.

Comments

[hhw]

I was just looking at the LA application yesterday. I'm not planning to apply, but I also wasn't sure what I'd be asking for, or what they were expecting people to request. The average amounts given are too small to cover living expenses, for example, though obviously every little bit helps. I wondered if folks request funds to go on retreat at Soapstone or stuff like that.

[dampscribbler.livejournal.com]

In my case, I'd apply the money to daycare, but writing retreats certainly would be a good use, or extended time off of work (some employers can do that), or travel to do research, say if you're writing a historical novel...that kind of thing. Maybe classes. Paper and postage for shopping your completed ms to agents and publishers, maybe.