I mentioned before that I was headed on a sabbatical this year. Teachers always get a sabbatical of a kind in the summer, but, in truth, it takes at least two weeks to stare at a wall and get all of your senses back. In the case of teachers who are returning to school in September, there is a two-week period where we ruminate (and in some cases, stress) about the upcoming year: what we have to do to get ready, what kinds of changes we want to make, and the like. That leaves four weeks. Which is great. Two of those weeks are usually spent trying to catch up on deep seated house and yard work. And then there is time to have fun with the kids. This is nothing to complain about by any stretch of the imagination, but summers for teachers aren't always as carefree as one might think. More carefree than usual, but still with expectations and need.
Sabbatical, on the other hand, carries with it a different rhythm altogether than what I've experienced at any other time of my life. Music practice with the kids is before school. It's quiet when they're gone. It takes longer to do simple tasks. I have time to write, but it's taking me a while to hit my stride and discover how I'm going to go about it, now that I have all this time. It would be horrible to let this year go by without milking absolutely every moment to execute the best writing I've done to date.
My writing break is over. I'm launching again. I received some good feedback on the latest draft of The Mimic's Riddle. I'll give it one more going over and send it to places like The Lark and the Banff PLaywrights Colony. Then pick up Tooth Sized Holes (I added the plural) and dig right into it.
It's good to be back. Wish me well.
