Monday, September 6, 2010

Do You Get Mileage Points for Flying by the Seat of Your Pants?

August seemed to go out like a deflated balloon. I haven’t had a lot of energy the past week for writing, or much else for that matter. I’m glad the summer is over – too much travel away from my beloved Durango. I’m hoping the fall brings with it some renewed energy and a chance to nest during my favorite season of the year in Colorado.

Regarding the writing life, the second book is coming along although not as quickly as I had hoped. To keep me on track during the writing of the first book, I used a storyboard (see photo) to mark progress and to outline. I started a similar storyboard for the second novel and am doing much more outlining of plot on this book.

My question to you is whether you consider yourself a planner (outliner, list-maker) or more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants type person. Or are you a little of both depending on whether it’s your personal or work life? I definitely fall into the category of planner/list-maker but hope to be more of the 'fly-by' type with some practice.

Off to make my list of favorite fall activities. Notice I didn’t write ‘chores.’

4 comments:

  1. Hey Mandy,
    Mercury is in retrograde until Sept. 28... that and the golden glow of the afternoon sun has got me feeling pretty low-energy right now, too. I have to write things down, or I can't focus for long enough to get anything done. Then again, at work I have to be ready to do five different things at any given moment; if I were to hold on too tightly to any sort of plan I'd be frustrated all the time. (Trying to complete lengthy reports while simultaneously handling student issues that arise can be a challenge for me.) On weekends like this one, my favorite thing to do is make no plans, drink coffee in my bathrobe and see how the day unfolds.

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  2. I've always been a list-maker and planner. Too much so I would say. I'm at a juncture where I'm restless and looking for what my calling really is...at this moment...in this place. Suddenly I'm a seeker. But can't quite pull the plug on having to have a to-do list to feel like something has been accomplished. Maybe accomplishment is overrated and reflection/enjoyment is the priority. Looking forward to fall...cool evenings, colors, bonfires, and more.

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  3. My personal life is my work life these days, and I've always done both: I plan (using daily and monthly To Do lists), but I'm also open to new opportunities, and rearrange as needed. So far, so good.

    (Tim - your weekend not-a-plan sounds perfect!)

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  4. I am definately more of a planner and list maker but as the saying goes, even the best laid plans often go awry.

    By the way, Mercury stations direct on September 12, although it is in the shadow period until September 27/28, so like Tim mentions, there may be some residual confusion from the trickster planet!

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