The Writing Season.

By Christine Thackeray

I know there are authors of many different shapes, sizes and interests, but for writers who are mothers, a special season is upon us. It is the writing season. Where others may appreciate the cooler nights and loaded fruit trees, as signs of the impending season, those of us who are mother writers find our fingers tingling as we finish up the school shopping and clean out closets in anticipation of the first day of school.

In my mind I think I'll wait for at least a week after school begins before diving in but the reality is that as soon as I wave good-bye to my elementary schooler, I make a mad dash to the computer and begin typing away at the plot that's been stewing in my brain all summer while I've taken children to the beach and entertained relatives.

The beauty of it is that for all of September and most of October, each day I can bathe in creative expression. I have to admit it's hard to put it away when they get home. But I try to still focus on go through back packs, encouragin homework and at least having an idea of what I'm going to cook for dinner. After Halloween costumes are taken care of, I'm free for another month to type away. The goal is to finish the rough draft by the end of NaNoWriMo so that you can let your rough draft steep during the Christmas holidays. With the end of Christmas vacation, that's when editing starts (always a bummer) and as the older kids finals come around, I'm ready to submit.

That's the goal anyway. Well see how I do this year. Last year a move sidetracked me, along with editing another project, but this year I'm determined to finish and submit my new WIP by next spring.

Hallelujah, the writing season is almost here. One more week.