Writing Troubles

I just read a terrific post that hit my outlook feed while I was on vacation: "Overcoming Burnout: How to Recover When You're Exhausted From Writing."  In the last eight months, I have written 218,000 words for the Tenet series.  In February and March, I felt like I was slogging along.  I am tired of this project.  Besides a couple of side distractions, I have been working on the project consistently for eight years.  Granted, in the beginning, the going was a crawl forward, but the last couple years I have been running and these last months I have been sprinting.  My poor little writing brain is tired. 

I had hoped the vacation to Europe would help.  The problem with a trip to Europe is the pace of running all over to see everything possible in a short amount of time.  That causes a whole different type of exhaustion.  I will say that I did have a little writing epiphany while in Germany, but I will discuss more of that later.  Upon coming home, I haven't wanted to write about Corrion or anyone from the country of Icordia.

The article resonated with me because yesterday I realized that I couldn't face my big project.  I decided I was going to take April and maybe May off and do something fun.  The fun will be in the form of gardening, housework, playing with a new character, and maybe some painting projects.  The first part of the article talked about committing to recovery from burnout.  I already have.  Boy, I am a genius.

The next suggestion was picking the right amount of time.  For a novel, they say one to two months of rest is a good number.  Now, I am burned out on Icordia, not writing per say.  I hate to not be playing and practicing with words for that long, so I will work on something different.  I started the new little project last night.  I am going to work on my D&D characters back story.  As I thought about it over the day, I had no clue of a story.  I knew Belvora ended up in a prison.  She was of royal birth and due to past circumstances, she was paranoid.  I brainstormed with Jerry when he came home from work.  After thirty minutes, I had some inspiration.  I wrote 1,246 words.  I now have a direction and plan to have a short novel by June to send my editor.  This will set me behind on my publishing date for my last Tenet novel, but I know the rest will make the writing richer.

Okay, I wrote this post last week.  I am still finding it difficult to write.  I have rewritten the opening of Amber Rose about four times.  Gurr.  I need to just back off, but I keep looking at my writing total for this month, pathetic.  I know I can be doing better.  I am so not good at giving myself a break.  I am not sure what I am going to do.  Okay, I do know.  I am going to plod along and sit in the bloody chair until the writing begins to flow again. 

Arc de Triomphe

Normally when I plan a trip, I try to study the area.  I especially love to research the history.  For this trip, traveling with a teen with anxiety, I didn't really know what to expect or what I would be seeing on the trip.  Thus, my second day of travel found me abandoning the itinerary set for the day.

We started out going to breakfast at a quant little caffe.  I just had coffee while my two companions had a simple meal of toast and eggs.  I enjoyed taking a couple fun pictures to begin my day.

The next task was to conquer the subway system.  Our first problem was that the credit card didn't work in the machine to get tickets.  We finally used Euros.  After line 14, we were supposed to switch to line 4.  A red X crossed out the line on all the signs, construction.  With the confusion, our daughter began to panic.  She did well and didn't display her anxiety.  Once we found an alternative line, we made it to our destination to find it raining.  We noticed her struggle and bought an umbrella.  We also had an early lunch.

The plan was to see Notre Dame.  The rain became worse along with a strong wind whipping about when we came to the courtyard.  The line went on for what looked liked miles and it was frigid cold.  Madelle panicked and asked to go back to the hotel.  Frustration ensued.  We complied by her wish and took her back. 

Once safe in her spot, Jerry and I left her.  I took the opportunity to bring up the Arc de Triomphe.   I had hoped to get a chance to see the famous monument.  What a sight!  I hadn't researched.  I know no French.  I simply enjoyed the beauty. 

I also didn't know the top was a destination.  We bought tickets.  I had no idea how high it really was or how many steps it took to get to the top.  I looked it up, 284 steps.  I am not in the best shape, and after a fall last winter, my knees protest with stairs.  Luckily there was just enough room that I could rest a couple times going up.  And what a view!!!

Notice the garden on top of the roof.

Once I came home, I did some research.  The arch was built between 1806 and 1836.  The arch memorials those who have fought for France, specifically during the Napoleonic Wars.  Engraved on the inside of the arch are the generals and wars fought.  I looked over the names, trying to find Richard.  I didn't read all of them, but I found my son's name with the exact spelling.  Very cool.

We also found a treasure or two on the second "floor" of the arch.

Going down the stairs wasn't much easier then going up.  I ended up getting dizzy and had to stop to regain my balance.  Yes, I have issue.  At the bottom, we looked around and found the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  I didn't realize at the time, but he fought in WWI and was laid to rest here in 1920 and commemorated in 1921.  Edgar Brandt was commissioned to construct an eternal torch.  The flame was lit in 1923 and has never gone out.  I find this fascinating on two levels.  One, they came the torch never went out during the German occupation of France.  Also, I always assumed America had the only tomb of the Unknown Soldier and an eternal flame.  Yep, I am an arrogant American.  The French built both well before we copied the idea.  I am humbled.

Underneath the arch, I found this beautiful ceiling that reminded me of a quilt.

After seeing the Arc, Jerry wanted to get visit the Eiffel Tower.  He wanted to walk the two miles to get there.  I said no, we could take the subway.  Now, I did do a little research about the tower when I read the novel "Paris."  I will go into that more in a later post.  All I know is that I love!!! love!!! love!!! the tower. 

Going back to the hotel, we took a different route.  Up ahead, Jerry pointed out an amazing building.  I snapped a couple pictures when I realized the door was one my cousin suggested I find for my door project of 2018.  I had so much fun taking pictures and am sure that I will not find another door to compare to its majestic design.  Absolutely stunning!!!

I also had fun taking pictures along our way of other things.

The day ended with an amazing meal at a Japanese restaurant.  They served the best dumplings I have ever eaten.  Their authentic Romen was delicious.

Background for Our Trip

Over eighteen years ago, my dear cousin and her husband moved to Germany with the Air Force for a three year tour.  They invited us to come visit.  I longed to with our boys.  Unfortunately, we needed to buy a house.  Our little ones needed a yard.  We didn't have the money for both.  Thus, we missed our chance to see Germany with family.  I swore if they ever went back that I would get there one way or another; thus, I was so excited when they were sent back two years ago.

Now, I have dreamed of going to Europe most of my life.  I remember when I was eight years old my uncle was stationed in the Army in Germany.  I daydreamed about what it must be like.  He sent me a German doll, chocolates, and coins.  I still have the doll displayed in my bedroom. 

Of course, last year I was lucky enough to go to Scotland and England with my sister and a friend, my first European adventure.  Part of me felt like another trip, just one year later, was excessive, but like I stated earlier, I was determined to see Holly and the family.  The financial conservative in myself would normally regret the excessive travel, but the adventurer in me has no qualms.  In fact, I would love to go again in May 2019.  I won't, but I can still dream.

This explains the trip to Germany, but why the stop off in Paris?  That is all due to my daughter.  Since she was little, she has loved the great artists: Leonard da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, and Michelangelo.  I have dreamed of taking her to the Louvre.  I have also fallen in love with art myself and dreamed of seeing great works from history. 

So, tingling with excitement, we set out on a family adventure .

The first train we took into the was quite colorful.

Our window looked out onto the square.  I liked to watch the people the times I was actually in the room.

I have always wanted to visit a church named after Saint Augustine or his mother Saint Monica.  When I saw the Saint Augustine chapel not far from the hotel, we went to look.  What a magnificent church!  As we went down the isle to look up at the alter, a priest stepped out of a room fully robed for Mass.  We followed him to the small chapel.  I love participating in a French Mass.  Lovely.

For years, I have asked Saint Monica to pray with me for the problems I have with my children.  One problem in particular hasn't become any better.  I tried lighting a candle and ask Augustine for intercessions, but the candle wouldn't light.  I became a little panicky.  My dear husband joined me to fix the candle.  As always, we have to work as a team.  Saint Augustine, Jerry, and I prayed together for my petition.

Madelle has always loved and felt close to Saint Joan of Arc.  She lit a candle and said prayers.

Saint Augustine Chapel, what a beauty.

Saint Padre Pio