I'm Overwhelmed!

Really. Somehow I've agreed to do too much in the next few weeks and I don't know how I'm going to get everything done. Right now, thinking about it all, my stomach is turning and my mind is whirling.

I'm a big believer in paying forward. I've been helped so much by other writers as I worked toward a writing career, that I'm happy to help when I can. So I will be mentoring a writer for the next three months. I'm really looking forward to it and hoping that I can help her with what she needs to get a request for a full from her dream publisher.

I've also entered many writing contests over the years. At the beginning, I learned a lot from the comments the judges wrote on the pages. As time went on, I began to final and win. I even can attribute one sale directly to a contest final. So I try to judge at least a couple contests every year. I still have three Rita (the contest held by Romance Writers of America for the best published book) books to read and score. And I just got six entries for the Stroke of Midnight contest held by the Passionate Ink chapter.

I'm readying a proposal to enter in the Lories Best Proposal contest, held by the From the Heart Chapter. It's my first single title attempt, so I am looking forward to getting comments back. The deadline is March 5th and I still need to write the synopsis.

And I'm taking an on-line workshop on Mythic Elements, which is really interesting, that runs for four weeks. So far, I've read the lessons, but haven't been able to do any of the homework. Oh well, maybe this week...

My heart is pounding as I list all my committments for the next few weeks. I don't regret any of them but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. Of course, I still have the day job, the house, the family, the current wip.

I realize this sounds like whining and I really don't intend this post as a rant. After all, all of these committments were my own choice. I just want to know if anyone else overbooks their life like this or is it just me???

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

4 comments:

Carol Burnside aka Annie Rayburn said...

Ohmigosh, that's a lot of stuff to do. Are you one of those people who thrives on a busy schedule or something?

I tend to do better with a full schedule, but if it gets too full, I find myself pulling back and things fall through the cracks. So, I have to be careful about overloading.

Good luck getting everything done. Just take it one thing at a time. Maybe make a priortized list?

Carol Ericson said...

I'm like you, Natasha. I usually take on a lot and keep myself busy. In addition to writing and working as a tech writer 30 hours a week, I'm the secretary for my local RWA chapter. I've also volunteered for the AYSO board, been team parent, and scorekeeper. I have lots of energy, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed. Was so relieved to get my book done this past weekend so I could concentrate on finishing my three remaining Rita books to read for the RWA contest. But you know that saying? If you want something done, give it to a busy person (or something like that!)

Natasha Moore said...

Hey Carol B - I really don't think I thrive on a busy schedule - guess I better get my goal list together, huh???

Hey Carol E - I'm glad I don't have a writing deadline right now, but I also don't want my wip to fall through the cracks. :)

Abby Niles said...

Did that last year. Decided I needed to be a little selfish this year. So far I've stuck to that. I didn't get a lot of my stuff done last year because of overbooking myself.
Esme