Grace under Pressure
Ever since I started this blog, I have been trying to figure out how to share a little bit of me in addition to the history digests, Regency Life articles, interviews and fiction. While I’m not sure I have a good answer yet, I thought I would try something anyway. So here is a new feature, aptly named ‘Grace under Pressure.’
Why call it that? Well, I found this great quote by Hemingway… All right, that is true, but only half way. I have family members who think I spend all day playing and give me jaw-dropped look of disbelief when I mention being stressed or under pressure at ‘work’. One even kindly told me, “I don’t understand why you think you’re stressed. This is easy for you.”
I am proud to tell you, that person is still alive, a testament to my great level of self control. He had no concept that I actually DO things all day, everyday. This week included:
Words of Fiction Written: 3500 words
Words of Nonfiction written: 650 words
Blog Posts Prepared: 12 for four different sites
Emails written: did not count this week!
Articles (Research and writing craft/business) Read: 25 research and 50 craft/business
Formatting: Paperback proof copy Remember the Past
Kind of looks impressive written out that way! LOL I’ll update next week, hopefully with news that I’ve started my next story.
I’ll leave you with another new project, an entry from my Writer’s Sketchbook. On the verge of losing my mind on a 15 hour flight delay this summer, I pulled out my notepad and started jotting down some descriptions for who and what I saw around me. Here are a couple favorites:
- Young and old walked side by side, wearing the same face separated by fifty years.
- The couple stormed past in lock step as though their matched pace could erase their obvious differences.
I would love to hear what you think. Please have your share of the conversation in the comments!
What are you talking about? Every post you post is sharing a bit of your self to us. 🙂 Dont worry about it.
And I too have had that question probe at me about me being stressed for nothing. They just don’t know how stressful it can get being a blogger and working on writing projects. And those numbers are impressive. You’re doing a great job and I’ll look forward to how well you do next week.
Thanks so much! There are days it is hard to feel like you’re getting anything accomplished, aren’t there? Thanks for stopping by!
You do such a great work Maria, don’t let ever anyone tell you otherwise, and never listen to those who believe thinking is not work, it sure is the heaviest of all works and most stressing.
You even keep working at airports!! Both descriptions are fabulous, the first I just loved.
Thanks for your work, I’ve been following for a while, but this is the first time I dare post a comment. 🙂
Thanks so much for venturing a comment Pamela! I really appreciate it. Glad you enjoyed those snippets.
I fully understand your frustration of people not understanding the stress you are under. I don’t either, but walk a mile in my she’s before you judge mW. I teach 4 year olds and get the same response…”What stress. All you do is play.”. I say come here and do my job for a day. They too are lucky they are alive. I don’t have the list you do…but try teaching social skills and manners as well as other things 10+ hours a day. You have my empathy. 🙂
I do hope you realize walk a mile in my shows was meant for those saying you are not under stress.
;0) I did.
I cannot imagine teaching 4-year olds all day. Kudos to you. I am so not cut out for that! I taught adults (university) for 16 years. But there is no way I could do children. Hats off to you!
Did you teach English Lit. or English?
You’ll laugh, I taught psychology (intro, developmental, history of), statistics for undergrads. Then for graduates(masters and doctoral) I taught human growth and development, learning, testing and measurement, survey research and counseling methods.
You are so right. I am laughing. And I thought it would’ve been English Lit for sure. :-).
Even funnier–I placed out of all my college English and history. I started out as an ENGINEER! I only took one history course, and it was pass-fail. Goes to show you never know where you’re going to wind up.
And I started out in computer science. You are so right. Look where I ended up, although O have always loved reading.
Loved all the info. Written out like that it really is amazing. I try to reflect on my day every night just so I have an idea otherwise taking care of the grandkids doesn’t sound like much..
Thanks, Suzan. I think it is really to lose track of all that we do accomplish in a day and get really discouraged, especially when there are children involved. When my guys were small I would always wonder where he day had gone and what I’d actually done taking care of them.