2015-The year of the writing (writer's) comeback

[charlie]

It seems my response time gets longer and longer, Paul. Sorry for that. If nothing else I want for us to keep in touch.

I've started a yearly ritual that for some reason I'm not as motivated about. Clean up of our yard which mostly means raking and bagging leaves. We actually don't have trees, but our neighbor has a couple huge ones and they shed every fall. With warmer temps it's been later this year than normal. I'm thinking of letting my nephews do it and giving them some spending money. Will have to see if my wife is on board with that.

I'm going to Phoenix first week of Dec to visit 2 of my brothers. Then flying to Spokane to (hopefully) see my newest grandchild. Our daughter is due early Dec. Her first.

Unfortunately, writing continues to be slow. I'm beginning to wonder what it will take to get back in the flow. I recall a book I started several years ago that sat for maybe 10 years or more, but that was probably due to raising small children. I'd like to think I'm not done writing, but honestly I sometimes wonder if these current projects will be completed.

Anyway, I sure hope all well with you and your family, Paul. May your health be good and your spirit strong. And may God always be with you.

Charlie

[paulwest]

Hi Charlie,

I too want to keep this correspondence going. Maybe we can even meet in person someday.

You and I are a bit different in regard to yard work. I know, I'm weird, but I love yard work. I call it my therapy. I hate seeing Winter coming on as I have to stop and wait until Spring to get back in the yard. I also love raking leaves, as well, but I do it the easy way. I pick them up with the lawn mower, then dump them in my garden. Once they're all vacuumed up, I rototill them in, then say good-bye for the winter.

It sounds like you've got quite an agenda ahead of you, visiting kids and grand kids. Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your next grandchild. I know how special that is. I have 14 of them and love them all just the same.

Sorry to hear your writing is going slow. I haven't had much time to write either. I have added a few sentences, but can't get over some brick walls. In January I'm going to retire and have plans to do some writing every day. That will help a lot.

10 years in the oven isn't too bad. My first novel (the one I published 2 years ago) took me 30 years to write and re-re-re-re-write. I have two more I want to work on, besides this sequel I'm currently working on. Nobody said we HAVE to write, we just do it because it's fun, a hobby if you will. Hang in there. Once you sit down, butt in chair (BIC), you'll find it addicting and you won't want to stop. But you have to get BIC first.

I don't know if you've seen my recent blog entries (www.paulwwest.com), but I've kind of given up posting for the time being. I'm just too busy right now to concern myself with posting on top of my actual writing my novel. Maybe I'll use this message as my next blog post (idea). But I really must take time to write my novel, not just write my blog.

I don't know if you saw that lady named Jacqueline who joined up and told us we need to repent and have faith in God's gift of faith. I told her she's welcome to join us if she wants to talk about writing. I kind of doubt we'll hear from her again.

So, I hope you'll have a happy Thanksgiving. We're going to Virginia to have Thanksgiving with my daughter and her family.

Have a wonderful time with your family. Thanks for your well-wishes, and I wish them to you as well. Someday we have to get together. My best to you and your family,

Paul

[paulwest]

Hi Charlie.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, and that your New Year's wishes all come true. I'm retiring January 8. Getting excited.

Write when you can.

Paul

[charlie]

I haven't forgotten you, Paul. December was a whirlwind of events. The most important being the birth on Dec. 14 of our granddaughter, Aleah May. She is very pretty and we were excited to see her. She is growing and doing well. The holidays came and went without much fanfare for our family. Because we were gone much of the month we didn't even put up a tree. I wasn't totally disappointed about that. Maybe I'm a humbug.

So are you officially retired now? I have a few more years to go. This should give you more time more writing. Unless, of course, you choose to devote more time to family and church. That would be a good option as well. As the new year gets going I challenge myself to do some writing, but I must confess I don't know when the motivation will come. I really think I could create something worth reading. I just need to commit and focus.

Sure hope you and your family had a great holiday and 2018 turns out to be your best year yet. Keep writing.

Charlie

[Paul W. West]

Congratulations on the birth of your new granddaughter. That's a wonderful Christmas present. We had a wonderful Christmas and New Years.

I will be officially retired this Friday. Can't wait. I intend to resume writing, work on my family history, work in the temple, travel to visit kids and grand kids.

I understand how it can be difficult to get into the writing muse. Here's a possible way to do it: sit down in front of the computer and force yourself to write something, even if it's doesn't mean much. Write a few ideas that interest you. Eventually, something will click and you'll not be able to stop.

At least that's what's worked for me when I get writer's block.

Keep me posted. And if I can offer more suggestions or you have any other questions, let me know.

Good luck and have a wonderful 2018.