10.22.13

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1200 words today. Actual, quantifiable progress. I'm still not happy with them, but they're there. As I always say, you can't edit a blank page. I stopped early because I'm trying to train myself into a new writing schedule so I don't spend all day sitting in my chair staring at the screen.

This new schedule includes getting up earlier, working in the mornings, and stopping my writing day at 3:30 or so. Which leaves me some time in the afternoons to exercise, and read. I'm seeking a better life balance. I got myself way out of whack over the past several months, with frenetic 12 hour days trying to meet multiple deadlines and weeks at a time on the road. No more of that.  

I started reading Dani Shapiro's STILL WRITING at lunch today. I adore her style, her words, her perspective, her stories. Reading her blog is always like a breath of fresh air to me--she has a beautiful life perspective, yes, but is also a very quiet writer. What do I mean by that? She writes with great impact without drawing a great deal of attention to herself. When she speaks, I listen. She doesn't seem to waste any words; everything is purposeful, remarkable, meaningful. In short, she does something I can't, and so I respect her greatly. If I ever decided to write a memoir, she's the first place I'd go.

Sweet dreams! 

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J.T. Ellison

J.T. Ellison is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, and the EMMY® award winning co-host of thJoss Walkere literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS. She also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker.

With millions of books in print, her work has won critical acclaim and prestigious awards. Her titles have been optioned for television and published in twenty-eight countries.

J.T. lives with her husband and twin kittens in Nashville, where she is hard at work on her next novel.