Sunday, January 4, 2009

Welcome to the Honeymoon

Writing a new story has, as I've mentioned before, several stages. The first I like to call the "Honeymoon" stage. Even though I've written a completed manuscript, going into a new one, I still feel I only know half-way what the heck I'm actually doing. Like a marriage, you go in the honeymoon thinking you know what it's all about, you're happy, giddy, high expectations, doe-eyed with the story, and skim along like you know what you're doing when really, you probably don't.

At least, I know I don't. I'm in love with my story, but right now it's guiding me and I have no idea what's going to happen next. It's wonderful and terrifying all at once. Because I know the honeymoon period will end (typically by the time I reach the middle) and I'll stare, horrified, and think to myself: What the hell? What do I do now? Holy mother of all things good, I've created a monster!

But, even though I know that time is coming, I'm enjoying my newfound relationship with new book. We're working great together so far, simply because I'm letting It take control and lead me. I'll do/be/write whatever It wants me to, and when I'm not writing, I'm dreaming about It whether in sleep or in my much zoning time I fall into throughout the day. My only disappointment is the lack of a name. I have no name for my new love interest. No title. It's foreign, I always have a title. But I'm sure when the time is right, inspiration will fall into my lap and I'll think to myself "Duh! Why didn't I think of that before?"

What stage of writing are you in with your project? Or with anything else in your life?

On the baby front, I have 19 night-night's before I'm in the same stage with my newborn. The honeymoon stage, where I know I've handled it before (what with her being my second) I'll still have no idea what the hell I'm doing. Two daughters now, not one. Two beings to take care of, two people in which my entire world will revolve around. Of course, before the honeymoon stage there was my panic stage. Am I going to be a good mother of two? How will I balance it all out? How will I find the time to do the things for ME (like write)? Will they hate each other? Will #1 feel all alone and deserted? Oh my God, I'm pregnant!

But I'm at a much better place now. I'm confident in my mothering skills, even if a little voice in my head likes to taunt me with my worries. I wrote an article a week ago about Preparing Firstborn to be a Sibling, and I've followed my own advice and think it's worked out grand. My firstborn is counting down the night-night's with me with our homemade construction paper chain link of pink and purple. She talks to my belly at night, and constantly asks questions about the baby and converses on what she'll be doing with the baby. Currently, she's dead set on changing all the diapers (she's 3 1/2). I explained to her little baby diapers are like watery poop. I'm hoping this discourages her determined need to help, but so far she still tells everyone how she'll be changing her little sisters diapers. I'd love it if it weren't for the fact of how fast her mind will change when she sees what it's really all about!

I also know she's ready. Not just because she's incredibly bright (hey, I have the mommy-flaw of being biased) but because she's been playing mommy to her dolls a lot more frequently. See, my daughter is more of a tomboy I guess you could say. As an example, this Christmas, her top two toys she plays with non-stop are her tow truck (in which she's named Towmater from Cars) and her Barbie car (in which she's named Lightning McQueen from Cars). And they go everywhere with her, and cart the rest of her Hot Wheels in them, and they frequently talk to each other and role play like a girl would role play with her dolls. Does she touch her new barbies or the Barbie Salon head? Nope. All about the trucks and cars, and Thomas the Tank Engine, baby! But the one exception has been the baby dolls and her need to play mommy. She's ready for big sisterhood, and it thrills me. She "gets it" (for the most part) and husband and I have made sure to make her part of every little thing that includes the new baby. She'll be at the hospital (with grandma's watching her of course) when the baby is due to come, and will be the first other than husband and I to see her in the recovery room.

So, I've made this particular blog a novel (sheesh, I could be putting this wordcount towards my WIP!) And while I adore these tiny little onsies and baby teethers and incredibly small socks, I also stare traumatized at the fact the nursery is still not ready. Though it technically won't be needed until 3 months after the baby is here, give or take, I'm the type of person that has to have everything completed. And besides, who the heck is gonna have the time or energy to get it ready when you have a newborn to take care of on top of learning how to adjust to being a mother of two?!

4 comments:

  1. Awe, you'll be a FANTASTIC mother of two! One more baby to love on :)

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  2. I'm in that new, awkward stage with my WIP, where I question everything I do and don't know what to say. Gah! Relationships!

    And I totally remember all those "welcoming second baby" thoughts. But I can assure you, though dynamics will be changing, you'll find your new "normal." I think it's great your oldest is so excited about helping! Mine are two-and-a-half years apart and, at very-near-6 and 3, they're best friends now. It's very heartwarming. Good luck with everything coming soon!

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  3. Yay for the new baby! You'll be great!

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  4. You'll do great with both "projects" because you care about how you'll do. :) I'm revising my women's fiction novel right now and then will begin the agent search seriously. Keep writing!

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