I think I’ve posted once or twice about how much trouble I’ve been having with my attempts at editing recently.  I’ll work on a chapter for most of the day and not get halfway through, and what I do get done is not to my satisfaction.  Well, yesterday I devoted the morning to some serious schoolwork and getting other important, mostly school-related stuff done.  I had lunch and then beat the heck (or the dust) out of the stairs and dining room rug with the vacuum.  Then I went to my room and spent several hours reorganizing my closet.  When that was finally done, my back was quite sore, I was tired, and felt very satisfied.  I was also rather dirty, so I took a nice, hot shower.  I watched an episode of my favorite TV show and then had a relaxing dinner with my family.

Notice none of this is writing.  All day, the only book-related thing I did was sort through my maps while cleaning the closet.  (I also found some drawings that will probably find their way into the story, but that’s a post for another time.)  So after dinner, I went upstairs to my desk, sat myself down, and started to work on a chapter that needed considerable revision.  I had three hours max before bedtime.  And I got it done in that time, quite satisfactorily, I might add.  I didn’t get distracted; I didn’t get frustrated; I didn’t feel overwhelmed.  I was focused, at ease, and inspired.

I basically did the same thing today.  And you know something?  It worked.