Okay, I intentionally didn't make any resolutions for the New Year knowing that I would be in deadline hell the very first week of 2008. But, as of today, my stess level has ramped up to the next level.

Why did I find out a week before my book is due to be turned in that my editor has left. She'd already been gone for three days by the time I read the e-mail about it. And today, I'm reviewing this book that my publisher is expecting to see on Monday and I discover that I've miscalculated and the darn things is going to be 25 pages TOO SHORT!!!

UGH! Now I'm in the weeds big time, so what do I do? I decide to upload my current book cover to the Internet and write some blogs. This is how I cope. Total avoidance. Good thing I didn't resolve to give up procrastination in the new year because I would have already failed.

To be honest with you, I have enough trouble writing when I'm at home all day. But, in order to meet my January deadline for Sex and the Single Braddock, I have to write five pages a day. And starting tomorrow, my husband and I are going on a mini vacation. We're not going far, just to a cute little cottage hotel a couple of hours away to enjoy a break. My husband has been working insane hours and is looking forward to relaxing. That means, not only do I have to try and maintain my new workout schedule, I also have to continue writing five pages a day.

I'm taking my laptop and my notes. I've done it before. I'm sure I can do it again. But, my motivation has been low these last two weeks. I've been really tired from my vigorous workout schedule (but I'm getting fat, so it must be done) and I've had little energy. Hopefully some fresh air and a change of surroundings will put me back on track.

Not only am I a huge procrastinator, I only want to do things when it's time to do something else. I've had at least three strong plot ideas that I spent the summer kicking around to no avail. But, now that my editor has offered me a pre-plotted story to write (Sex and the Single Braddock, September '08) I suddenly have all these ideas for other stories.

But, since my deadline is January, and I'm hoping not to write during the Christmas holiday, I can't afford to spend time on any book besides the one I'm being paid for. I wish I could say I was a disciplined as other writers. Some of them write multiple books at a time. I did that once, and never again. I think that process is what brought about the bought of writer fatigue that I experienced afterward.

But, I guess this kind of thing makes sense in my life. I only want to do laundry when I'm supposed to be sitting at my computer writing.