Well, so far my week-long stay-cation off of work to progress with book three has been pretty successful. I’ve added some new chapters, new scenes, new scenarios. I feel good about my progress.

But it would be a misconception if you think that each morning I merely sit down at my computer and begin to write. That’s not my process. I don’t use an outline or file cards or sticky notes on the wall. I’m not always sure exactly where my story, or my main character Trudie Fine, will take me each day. I’ve been bouncing ideas around in my head since stepping away from the computer the evening before.

In fact, each day, I worry whether or not I’ll be able to have a successful writing session. Can I create the next scene, the next chapter? I worry that maybe I won’t be able to write today. Self-doubts emerge – Can I really write? Am I a writer? Is my writing any good?

To counteract these feelings, I find that I have to ease in to my writing sessions. Many writers can sit down and knock out two thousand words in no time. Not me. Once I’ve had my coffee and breakfast, I plant myself in front of computer. I first have to check and respond to my emails. Then I check Facebook, like, reply, comment. Of course, to get my mind going, I play a game or two of Solitaire, a game of Hearts.

Okay, time is ticking away. No more procrastination. No more excuses. I open my screen and it says “Chapter Twelve” with only blank space below. I go back to the scenes from the day before and read them through, make word choice changes or flesh out the scenes. I’m in the zone now. My confidence and ideas start to bloom and even surge.

And I begin to write.