The Bet

Wow, I can’t believe that it’s been over three months since my last post. Neither can Pooh, nor is she happy about it. Yea, I know its crazy but right now Im working on two books at the same time, kind of. Counter productive, unwise, foolish, I know. Unfortunately once the ideas hit your mind sometimes they fight and scream and claw at your brain trying to get out. They can consume your thoughts and steal your mind.

            I haven’t worked on anything really in months. All writers know this art is extremely difficult by itself, but add work, family, and plain old life it becomes harder to get anything done.

             Excuses? You bet.

            Justified excuses? Hell yea.

            When I have to be at work at 4:30 a.m. and work a twelve hour day the last thing my brain wants to do is sit at a computer and write. With the heat, long nights and the Bean, sometimes I need a break. When I come home from work I spend time with my son. By the time he goes to bed I only have a few hours before it’s my bed time and im a sleeper. I know some people that can sleep for four hours, get up, and start their day. Not me. I need at least eight hours and sometimes Im still exhausted. Many times I wish I was one of those who needed minimal sleep.  Feel sorry for me yet? Don’t, it’s my own fault. Im the one that got me here and, well, to be honest pooh doesn’t feel sorry for me either, hence the bet.

            This is how this whole bet thing started. I came at her this past Friday with another story idea. As is the usual form I came in the house and just start rattling my thoughts off at her. I work alone for the most part and travel a lot. Some days I can drive over three hundred miles to meet with clients. She patiently listened and then asked me about the two books I was working and the blog. I said I have dabbled here and there but just haven’t had the time to invest in any of them. Her eyebrow immediately rose up like it always does when she disagrees with something I have said or thinks im bending the truth just a little. Trust me I have seen that a lot in my days.

            “Write on your blog, anything, no matter what the topic is. It doesn’t have to be long or make any sense, just write. Use this as a tool to force you into a habit.”

             “Ok, ok I will.”

             Her eyebrow defied gravity yet again.   

            “No, really Pooh, I will, starting Sunday.” I told her that I would post everyday for one month, no excuses. She rolled her eyes and calmly stated she doubted I would do it simply because I haven’t posted but once in three months.

             Let me interject here and state that my wife has lived with me and my writing dreams for eleven years. She has listened to every idea and read every rough draft. She has watched me work for months, and also patiently stood by as I avoided my work for months. She believes in me more then I believe in myself most of the time. She constantly screams and yells at me with out saying a word, and is quick to motivate me before I hit bottom. I am determined to prove her wrong.

            Now what does the winner get? If I complete the task, I get the satisfaction of giving these ideas life. I get the ability to share thoughts and if im lucky give some people a good read, make them think. If she wins, does she really win anything?  Not really. If I fail to blog every day, then I am left living a day knowing that I have once again let my wife down.  

            Can I do it?

            Of course I can.

            Will I do it?

             I don’t have a choice now.