Back to Writing

I have decided that writing is a very selfish act - even when you are creating something for others to read. I have done enough writing to know that in order for me to meet a deadline, I have to stay focused. I need chunks of 2-3 hours of uninterrupted time. To get this, I am finding that I have to put off other things and, unfortunately, other people. My sister called and wanted to talk to me about something I didn't know was urgent. I put off returning her call because I was in my writing "groove". My daughter wants to talk to me about where to buy her physics book, but I am reluctant to talk because I might forget my train of thought in my writing. A colleague wants to meet about a project, but I have to beg off because I am trying to meet a deadline. Maybe these are sacrifices all authors make, I am not sure. I do know that it takes a single-purposed, drive to maintain the stamina it takes to write a book. It's the stringing together of minutes, hours, days of writing until you have something that makes sense to others. When I finished the first book that I edited with Tara, I remember likening it to giving birth. I am not sure if that's how I would describe it now. I can say that it's a long, slow process full of self-doubt, tediousness, and mental draining. Why do I do it? I guess it's because I have something to say.