Thanksgiving Break

So, this past week has been Thanksgiving Break from my real job - teaching. I never seem to get everything I plan to get done done. But I did get quite a bit of writing done, and for that I am thankful.

I've started one new chapter and finished up another. It's been nice to be able to focus on my writing and my characters. Of course, sometimes it's hard. Because I've had the time to focus on this, I've seen scenarios open up in my mind - both good and hard situations that my characters will go through. Life - and books - aren't all butterflies and daisies, so tough times are expected. But sometimes I'm so torn up inside knowing what coming next and I don't want to write it, but I know I have to, because that's what happens to them. They truly have a life of their own.

I've also had the chance to re-read parts of my first book. It was Thanksgiving night and there is a Thanksgiving "scene" in it. I was compelled to read it. Yes, right then. During Thanksgiving. Surrounded by family, who didn't know I was writing a book. I had pulled out my computer and was writing before dinner. Everyone was watching football and I'm not much of a football fan. But, my in-laws are a football family. So, I came prepared and brought my netbook with me. After dinner, as they watched another football game (I know Thanksgiving is about football, but it's always been lost on me), I decided to read my Thanksgiving chapter. I amuse myself. It was fun to experience Thanksgiving with my characters on the day of. I know that's weird. But that's me. Anyway, it made the holiday more fun for me, when everyone else was talking football or flipping through a million channels finding something to watch after the game.

I told one more person about my book this weekend - only a handful know about it. What was different this time? She didn't seem surprised. The most common response from those I've told was "Really?" They were surprised, not shocked, but surprised. Like I've said before, I do a lot of different things, so taking on "one more thing" is surprising to most. But I didn't take it as a "bad" reaction. It was kind of nice actually. For someone to not be surprised that I'd have a story to tell and would put it down on paper (or in the computer as the case may be). Also, it wasn't like it mattered that I wasn't an English teacher that was writing a book and that I am a math teacher. She knew you had to be just as creative in math as English. Our conversation meant a lot to me. Reassuring.

It's back to school tomorrow and juggling teaching (and everything else) with my writing. While I would love another week of break (who wouldn't?), I do kind of miss my drive to school and back everyday where I got the chance to really just let me mind wander. And drive safely, of course.