Sandra Heska King

daring to open doors

  • Home
  • About
  • DISCLOSURES
    • Amazon Affiliate
    • Book Reviews
  • Published
  • Contact
  • Blog
    • Commit Poetry
    • Dared

Window on Writing: Not Writing

May 18, 2011 By Sandra Heska King

(“weeds” from the not-yet-tilled garden)

She wrote it on the back–66.11.

That’s how much I had left on my Barnes & Noble gift card (one of them, anyway) after I bought a tomato caprese sandwich and a glass of iced green tea.

My son keeps me well stocked with B&N gift cards.

I stopped in to grab a Macs for Dummies book, but they didn’t have one.

And my stomach growled loud enough to be heard way down at Macy’s.

So, of course, I had to eat.

Then I made the mistake of wandering the aisles.

And I bought these.

Because, I rationalized, maybe one of them would help me along here. I really hoped to have something to take to the ACFW Conference (if I get to go), but I’m not progressing as fast as I hoped.

Never mind that I already have this.

And shelves full of other books without these promises.

But then I found this. It was on my wish list.

And then this to replace the old beaten up one.

And I got this for a friend.

And thought the grandgirl might like these.

That probably took up a couple hours of writing time.

This morning I visited Linda’s blog.

Her May goals shamed me.

I could probably spend a couple more hours of writing time writing some goals.

But I had to run into Speedway where I witnessed a big old car smash into the water display right in front of the store, just as I walked in the door. Took a bit of the Jet’s Pizza girl’s car for a ride, too.

It’ll probably take another couple hours of writing time to calm down.

And then another hour on the treadmill to wear off the Krispy Kreme doughnut that the excitement forced me to buy–and eat.

And then there’s the matter of all these books.

And the books in my towering to-read pile

Of which lately I don’t seem to finish any.

Just a chapter here and a chapter there.

Part of the reason I’m not further along in my writing is because the grandbaby has taken up residence in her Pack-n-Play in my office.

That’s it.

I can blame her.

Or I can just blame myself.

And wallow in my ashes.

That could take up a few more hours.

I could talk to God about whether he really has called me to write fiction.

That would use up even more time.

Or I could just get to work.

Am (not) writing,

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Filed Under: stories and reflections, writing

Comments

  1. ed cyzewski says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:35 pm

    I can totally relate to this. Starting is the hardest part. I try to avoid the internet first thing in the morning so that I can just start writing. I also try to begin by editing yesterday’s work so that I don’t have to actually start “working” by “writing.”

    • Sandra says

      May 18, 2011 at 9:01 pm

      Great advice!

      I’m finding the fiction right now feels more like work. Maybe because it’s still unfamiliar territory.

  2. Cindee Snider Re says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:59 pm

    But you DO write! Beautiful blog posts that touch hearts and stir souls and encourage and inspire and refresh and lift high the name of Jesus, drawing others into His holy Presence. Just keep writing the words He lays on your heart. How God uses it is up to Him, but He will, all for His glory and your joy.

    • Sandra says

      May 18, 2011 at 9:02 pm

      Oh, Cindee. Thank you!

  3. HisFireFly says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:36 pm

    Bonnie (the Faith Barista) compared my journaling to Sarah Young’s “Jesus Calling” I haven’t read it.. should I?

    • Sandra says

      May 18, 2011 at 9:04 pm

      Well, this is strange. I think I answered you via email.

      Anyway, I agree with Bonnie. And yes, you would love this book. She writes what she senses God saying to her. God Calling is similar–older–written by “Two Listeners” who did not have their names published. I’ve had that one for years. Marked up, and pages falling out.

  4. linda Glaz says

    May 18, 2011 at 9:45 pm

    Keep writing, you’ll soon be more comfortable in your fiction skin.

    • Sandra says

      May 20, 2011 at 8:13 pm

      Thanks, Linda! Maybe it’s like a pair of new shoes that need to be broken in. 🙂

  5. diana says

    May 19, 2011 at 1:49 am

    Oh, yes, you do write – wonderfully well.

    But how I grinned my way through this one. I can identify with every.single.one of your interruptions/distractions – every one. Sigh.

    But I will admit, this is the first inkling that you’ve let out (to my eyes, at least) that you’re pursuing fiction writing. Well, good luck with that. :>) My guess is – you’ve got it in you – you are just so gifted…BUT please never leave this wonderful non-fiction, musing, reflecting part of your gift. SO needed, so valuable, so beautiful.

    But dear Sandra – if this is NOT writing – I say – KEEP IT UP.

    • Sandra says

      May 20, 2011 at 8:14 pm

      Oh, Diana. You are such an encouragement! So blessed to be on the road with you. 🙂

  6. S. Etole says

    May 19, 2011 at 8:48 am

    My mother always used to say, “Just do it!” *sigh*

    • Sandra says

      May 20, 2011 at 8:16 pm

      Oh, sigh . . . You just had to bring the moms into this. 😉

  7. journeytoepiphany says

    May 19, 2011 at 9:13 am

    I am in the same boat. I have thought of every excuse in the world to not write my YA novel. I have the bare bones done, but it needs a lot of work. I keep telling myself…this summer…

    • Sandra says

      May 20, 2011 at 8:17 pm

      Just don’t go to “this fall.” 😉

  8. Louise says

    May 19, 2011 at 9:35 am

    For me — it’s cleaning the toilet. Yup. when the toilet sparkles, I’m avoiding writing.

    I like what Susan’s mother used to say — if only I’d just do it! “sigh”

    • Sandra says

      May 20, 2011 at 8:18 pm

      I hate cleaning toilets. I like clean. But I hate cleaning.

      Now if I would just do it, I could hire a cleaning person who loves to clean.

  9. K.M. Weiland says

    May 19, 2011 at 11:47 am

    You’re making me jealous with your piles of brand new books! I hardly ever visit the bookstore for that very reason: I might go in empty-handed, but sure to leave empty-walleted. Actually, I shouldn’t complain about too much jealousy, since I indulged myself in the name of research and have seven or eight books coming way via PaperBackSwap. Fun post!

    • Sandra says

      May 20, 2011 at 8:20 pm

      I am such a sucker for books. And grateful that my son keeps me stocked with gift cards. But maybe I should start asking for cleaning coupons. Or better yet. Airplane tickets somewhere. Research time, doncha know.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Meet Sandra

I’m Sandra, a camera-toting, recovering doer who’s learning to be. still. Read more…

Get updates from the stillness by email

Your personal information is safe and will never be shared.

Archives

Categories

Instagram Inspiration

sandraheskaking

Happy first day of fall from my backyard to yours. Happy first day of fall from my backyard to yours.
Just another backyard photo… Just another backyard photo…
From my backyard tonight. From my backyard tonight.
Just another sunset. Just another sunset.
“I would like people to remember of me, how inex “I would like people to remember of me, how inexhaustible was her mindfulness.” ~ Mary Oliver in “ A Little Ado About This and That.”
Current situation. Current situation.
“This spark of life that wavest wings of gold” “This spark of life that wavest wings of gold” ~ Thomas Wentworth Higginson in “Ode to a Butterfly”
🦋
We pulled all the milkweed because it just could not support all the caterpillars. They were eating it bare and most of them died because they ran out of food. This one butterfly found this one lone volunteer.
"I would feel more optimistic about a bright futur "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority." ~ E.B. White (as quoted on today's page in my Franklin Planner)
"May you experience each day as a sacred gift wove "May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder." ~ John O'Donohue in "For Presence" from To Bless the Space Between Us
🌴
Tri-colored heron stalking breakfast in my backyard.
“. . neighbor’s tree hangs heavy with mangoes “. .  neighbor’s tree hangs heavy with mangoes. They are moving in a week. They say a family from Belarus bought the house. I hope they don’t care much for mangoes.”
**
“Beautiful Sweet Things” at https://sandraheskaking.substack.com/
"People do not grow old. When they cease to grow t "People do not grow old. When they cease to grow they become old.” ~ Emerson

It's been a while since I've written anything on my blog. Like 3 years. But I just wrote my first post on Substack. Come see?

https://sandraheskaking.substack.com/p/ten-years-ten-things
Spent a couple hours this morning with friends fro Spent a couple hours this morning with friends from @spanishriverchurch picking up beach trash. Little bits of colored and clear plastic, big bits of plastic, bottle caps, broken glass, strings, ropes, straws, socks, fast food containers, paper, cigarette holders and filters—and a couple unmentionables. Took extra care around the turtle nests. Last count was about 70 pounds, but there were also some bigger things like an abandoned chair and a plastic tent. And a big piece of burlap or something with a fishing lure and giant hook attached. D found a Macy’s gift card that he almost tossed in his bucket. But we brought it home to check the balance—$24.60! We should be able to turn that into something useful for someone. 😊
H Already dead, I am living my afterlife here in t H
Already dead, I am
living my afterlife
here
in the form of a human.
~ Xueyan from Time Peels All to Original White

Thanks to @tspoetry for introducing me to this beautiful collection via an Every Day Poems selection.
The cats attacked the window all night. The dog wo The cats attacked the window all night. The dog woofed all night. This morning we discovered the would-be burglar imprisoned between the screen and the glass on our bedroom slider. 

When I stepped out to release it (no bail), I was surprised by this brief bit of backyard beauty.
For most of us, knowledge of our world comes large For most of us, knowledge of our world comes largely through sight, yet we look about with such unseeing eyes that we are partially blind. One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?" ~ Rachel Carson in The Sense of Wonder
#prayformsu #spartanstrong #spartannurse #michigan #prayformsu #spartanstrong #spartannurse #michiganstateuniversity
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faith Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. ~ Psalm 136:1
A tale of two iguanas... I did not see the iguana A tale of two iguanas... I did not see the iguana in the background until I downloaded the photos. That, I believe, is the one that got caught in one of the openings in the neighbor's chain link fence. We tried in several (safe) ways to dislodge it without luck and could think of no other option but to leave it. Somehow it apparently dislodged itself. We also believe this is the pair that was getting into another neighbor's garden. We haven't seen either one since the last cold snap, so we are wondering if they survived. 
🌱
Thinking some may have tumbled from their perches last night. Pretty sure it will be raining iguanas tonight since we are under a frost advisory. It's cold. And windy.
Just sing... sing a song... Singing our way into Just sing... sing a song... 

Singing our way into the weekend.
"We don't just see. We learn to see." ~ Russ Ramse "We don't just see. We learn to see." ~ Russ Ramsey in Rembrandt is in the Wind
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Get the Mug

Embrace the life you have t s poetry mug

Privacy Policy

Full privacy policy is available HERE.

I Read Light

TSP-Red button

bibledude-net



Sponsor a Child

Join the Compassion Blogger Network

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 Sandra Heska King · Site by The Willingham Enterprise, LLC on the Genesis Framework by StudioPress · Log in