It’s been about a month and a half (both since I blogged and since I worked on my novel). Last night I finished off Chapter 11 with nearly 1,500 new words. Tonight, I’ll go back and see if any of them are worth keeping. I’m sure a few of them are.

Actually, it felt good to get back into the story. I don’t know why I always feel surprised that I enjoy the creative writing process. I spend so much of my time not writing that it often feels like I’m avoiding it. Then, when I start up again, I feel rejuvenated, which makes it hard for me to fathom why I have such a hard time keeping up with it.

But then I realize it isn’t writer’s block, or procrastination, or lack of ideas, or any of the other excuses writers often manufacture to explain why they aren’t writing. It’s that I have a life outside writing. Family, work and other pursuits take up a lot of my time–and that’s not a bad thing, either.

I enjoy spending time with my family. I enjoy going to the movies with my wife, going to three different kids’ sporting events on a Saturday, even helping the kids with their homework.

I enjoy my work (most of the time). Recently I started a new venture, which you can see over at www.greenmfgnews.com . So, in addition to my full-time job as magazine editor, I also am trying to start something new on my own. And when I have a chance, I poke away at this novel of mine.

So I write when I can. I feel good about it when I do, especially when I’m able to make real progress. For example, last night I finished off a chapter. I also passed the 40,000 word mark, which I figure is about a third of the way there.

Fantasy Novelist’s Progress Report:

• Consecutive days of productive writing: 1
• Chapters complete: 11
• Word Count: 40,582