STICKING TO A SCHEDULE by Patricia Gligor
Thank you for inviting me to be your guest today, Marilyn.
I was trying to come up with a topic for this post when I
remembered a blog post I’d recently read by author Amy Reade. It was about the
benefits to writers when they stick to a schedule. I smiled as I read it
because that’s exactly what I try to do. I’m most productive (and happiest) when
I follow a daily routine which includes writing in the morning,
household/family chores and responsibilities in the afternoon and relaxing in
the evening. But, sometimes, it doesn’t work that way.
Just as I was within sight of putting up my book on Amazon,
my mother had some medical issues that required me to spend more time than
usual with her. Of course, my “schedule” went the way of the wind and I found
myself worried about her and stressed (and frustrated) about the book. After
all, I’d spent a year writing, editing, formatting, etc. and I had high hopes
of publishing it early this month. But it didn’t look like that was going to
happen.
When I felt like I was at the end of my rope, so to speak, I
finally did what I should’ve done a lot earlier. I let go of all of it, knowing
it was in God’s hands. I got out of His way and, as He’s often done in my life,
He did for me what I couldn’t do on my own. By His grace, Mom is gradually
improving and I managed to publish my book. And I’m very grateful!
--Patricia Gligor
Blurb for: Murder at
Maple Ridge
Kate Morgan loves a good mystery. She’s an avid reader and
she recently finished writing a murder mystery. The story takes place at the
fictionalized version of Maple Ridge, the real life home of Chad Hollingsworth,
the man Kate has been dating for the past year.
Chad has invited Kate to his parents’ annual New Year’s Eve
party where Kate will meet the other members of his family. On the drive to
Maple Ridge, he tells her, “I have to warn you. When the Hollingsworth family gets
together, there’s always a lot of drinking and drama.” He has no way of knowing
there will be a murder.
In a strange twist of fate, there are numerous similarities
between Kate’s manuscript and what actually happens. Kate is determined to
separate fact from fiction by figuring out the identity of the killer. But she
soon discovers that solving a murder in real life is a lot harder than figuring
out whodunit in a mystery novel.
Bio:
Patricia Gligor is a
Cincinnati native. She enjoys reading mystery/suspense novels, traveling and touring
and photographing old houses. She has worked as an administrative assistant, the
sole proprietor of a resume writing service and the manager of a sporting goods
department but her passion has always been writing fiction.
Ms. Gligor is the
author of the five-book Malone Mystery series. “Murder at Maple Ridge” is the
second book in her Small Town mystery series.
Visit her website at: http://pat-writersforum.blogspot.com/
Comments
Mom is ninety and, for the most part, she does very well. She's a real trooper. But, occasionally, she goes through a rough patch. I'm so glad she's feeling better now. As to my new release, Mom says she can't wait to read it!
The reason I try to stick to a schedule is that I don't function well without one. Probably why I'm a plotter as opposed to a pantster in my writing. It's just part of who I am.
I think most of it goes back to my Dad's influence when I was growing up. Those were some rocky teenage years but, as an adult, I thank him every day. He taught me how to prioritize and organize among so many other things.
You're absolutely right! We do have to be flexible at times but we also have to "Know Thyself" and do whatever works best for us.
Thanks for stopping by!