#WriterWednesday - June 19th 2019

I expected to not be doing much with the rewrites of my story in the first week or so after Logan arrived. I was right. Yes. OK. I admit it. I could have been firmer, and make writing more of a priority. But I decided ahead of time that I'd give myself the first week he's here to get used to having two puppies. Well, OK, I know Lilie technically isn't a puppy any more, since she's over two years old now, but since she still has the energy of most nine month old puppies, she might as well be. Regardless, I've been focussing on getting used to having both Lilie and Logan now. Partially because I could and wanted to, partially to give time for everyone to adjust to the addition of Logan to our family (and maybe also for Logan to learn a few rules) and partially because it meant I could let my story sit a bit, which is always a good idea anyhow; every writer knows you should let your story sit a while after you finish the first draft. I even planned my blog posts well enough that I didn't need to sort many of those in the first week. Now though, it's time to start figuring out how to make everything balance out with two pups instead of one.

Can writers really find balance? Short answer: not really. But find the closest thing to it you can manage without getting burned out, and just keep writing. That's all any of us can do. You might have to make sacrifices to do so, but you can make them temporary. Just remember the importance of balance in our lives.

A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.
~E.B. White

However you end up fitting everything in, remember the importance of writing with the door closed when it comes to your first draft.

Next, in case you need them, here are some tips on addressing others in dialogue - using vocatives.

No matter who's in your story, or what they say, be careful who you kill, because they might not seem important now, but their existance may be your muse's idea of helping the story along later.

Now, here are some potentially useful tips for adding life to your locations, to help your readers feel like they're really there.

Speaking of drawing your readers in to your story: here are some tips for writing action and fight scenes.

Last, but certainly not least, if you are doing your best, remember that really is enough.

You don't have to write when you're spending all your energy on other responsibilities. It's cool if you do. But don't get mad at yourself when you can't.
~Meg Dowell