Well, I’m in a pretty good mood right now because I just finished knitting my second pair of socks. I used my graduation money to invest in a high-quality pair of knitting needles called Addi Clicks. I’m really looking forward to working with them!
The funny thing is, I’ve been an avid crocheter my whole life. I tried knitting when I was ten, got frustrated with how long it took, and vowed to never knit anything again. It was nearly a decade before I dug my size ten straight needles out of the storage bin I kept my stuffed animals in, searched up a YouTube tutorial, and tried again. Now, I’m quite comfortable knitting. Knitting produces a fabric that drapes much better than crochet, and has fewer holes. It’s better for things like clothing, whereas crochet is better for things like blankets and lacey things.
I’ll tell you a secret. I was very, very close to giving up on Where Arrows Fall. I was unmotivated and uninspired. I was discouraged by the way the first two books were selling. I had other, more personal issues going on, too–issues that are doing much better, but that I’m still working on. I was burned out with school and living in relative isolation.
And you know what? I took a break. For nearly all of 2020 and most of 2021, I only worked sporadically on Where Arrows Fall. And I’m alright with that. The important part is that I came back. And it’s not because I particularly wanted to. I did it because I felt like it’s something God wanted me to do. In fact, I actually started another writing project to help me get back in the swing of things. I tasted passion for the first time in months, and it refreshed me.
I’ve spent all week working on a particular subplot. I printed out about twelve pages of inter-character conflict and asked Mom to read them. She had some critiques, so I edited one of those pages and printed it again. And it’s still not perfect. But guess what? I’m going to keep trying. This subplot develops into an argument between three characters, and my Italian side had a lot of fun with that. It’s not often that I get to hop between the headspaces of three separate people, feel their pains and frustrations, and try to develop that into a verbal argument. It was fun.
I have a lot going on in my life right now. In addition to trying to finish my book, I’m looking for my first full-time job. I have no idea what I’m doing or even what I’m looking for–while I’d really love to work for a local private school, I’ve heard that Chipotle pays well. I just hope that I don’t give up. And I hope that I’ve perhaps encouraged you. Instead of giving up, take a break. Step away from what’s frustrating you, and when you’re ready, come back to it.