I thought about hiding in the closet so I could stay a while longer
…but then I realized I’m really ready to go home. I’ll be flying home on the 9th, and I’m starting to look forward to it. I miss Billy and the dogs and the cat. I miss the house and I miss my friends.
Four weeks goes by fast, no? It seemed like such a long time when I was planning the residency and when I first got here. Why did I think I needed to pack so much knitting? So many books? So many art supplies? I got the amount of clothing exactly right, but as for everything else? I could have left home with yarn for two pairs of socks and that would have filled the knitting time I’ve had.
I still have some days ahead of me, and I’m trying to make the most of them. I’m trying not to pressure myself too much, to worry about how many pages I’ve written (57) vs what my goal was (100). I set that goal based on my productivity in the home stretch of the first novel. I forgot how much slower the progress is when you’re starting a new novel, when you’re still feeling your way through and there’s no momentum to carry you.
It’s been a good residency. I can honestly say I made the most of the opportunity. I guess that’s about as much as I can ask.
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that your time there was productive; if you’d had as much knitting time as you’d anticipated that would be a bad thing. And it’s quality that matters, not quantity.
Posted by: jodi
Those four weeks did fly by fast. Think about your 57 pages as quality writing!
Posted by: Angela
Ohhh, you look so cute in there. 57 pages is wonderful, and even more wonderful is the realization that you have really made the most of the opportunity.
Posted by: Norma
Having made the most of the time is the only important thing. Think how awful if you were kicking yourself for wasting it!! 57 pages is great.
Posted by: Deb
I don’t know nuthin about writing a novel Miss Cari. But from the posts you’ve written it seems that you are very satisfied that you used your time well and got a lot out of your experience at this retreat/residency/thing. Hooray for you. 🙂
Posted by: Laura
Miss you too! I can’t believe a month is almost up.
Now, c’mon out of the closet, okay?
Posted by: Cassie
You have done very, very well. Please send real address for re-entry package. Because, you know, you will continue to do very, very well, but a little something sweet might be nice while you’re doing it. 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
I’m glad you’ve felt productive, because that’s what you were so worried about before you left. Yeay for your brain.
I’m so excited you’ll be coming home so soon!
Posted by: Jenn
I have so much respect for the way you are pursuing a writing life. I’m glad this residency has been productive and satisfying.
Posted by: Juno
i am quite sure that the writing that comes after this will be that much richer, and easier, for the work you’ve put in these 30 days. and not that we write in anyway similar, but it takes me as long to get out the first part as the entire rest of it combined. 🙂
(dude! your hair has grown!!! 🙂 sorry i have been incognito. not sending any emails from work right now and that’s just about the only place i’ve been all damn week. grrrrr. miss you. see you soon enough, right? the next time i get really hungry for NY…)
Posted by: carolyn
And going home means I’m coming and that has to be good (in my books anyway). Yes, I should be leaving for the airport (half an hour)…..So do you think 2 socks will keep me going for 3 weeks?!
I love you in red. 🙂
Posted by: Alison
Is it really 4 weeks already (not that we haven’t missed you)
Glad you had a good time 🙂
Posted by: janine
That is the cutest picture of you. And also, I’m glad you’re glad to be going home – it sounds like it was really productive!
Posted by: Carrie
Hooray for writing lots! Hooray for feeling your way through you new novel. It sounds to me like this was a great opportunity for you to really get started.
Just think about how that momentum will carry you when you’re back home.
Posted by: Steph
Indeed. I’d rate that a rousing success.
Posted by: claudia
You’ve got 57 pages done! That’s tremendous. I know you’ve enjoyed it immensely, but I’m glad you’re coming home. NY needs you.
xxx
Posted by: regina
Enjoy the remainder of your stay 🙂
Posted by: Kathy
57 pages is nothing to scoff at! Like you said, you’ve gotten the most you could out of this time, and that’s what matters. Looking forward to seeing more of you. 🙂
Posted by: Sneaksleep
You still have a few days … at the end, you may not be too far away from you goal … what you’ve done is already very good, according to me.
Posted by: Agnes
I’ll come stay with you in the closet. 🙂 And bring yarn.
Posted by: Libby
I am envious and proud of you all at once.
xxooxx
Posted by: David
My, how serious you look there in the closet!
57 pages is a lot, man.
(Do you have the Ragdale/rest-home feeling yet?)
I’ll miss knowing you are nearby, but am working on getting to NY this winter, and maybe see you then, in your natural habitat!
Posted by: Pippy
i guess i forgot, or was not an avid reader, but why are you in the closet? what do you miss about that place?
we always pack tooo much knitting (fear of boredom!)
good luck to your next adventure 🙂
Posted by: gray la gran
Ohmygodiamsohappyyou’recominghome.
Posted by: Em
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that your time there was productive; if you’d had as much knitting time as you’d anticipated that would be a bad thing. And it’s quality that matters, not quantity.
Posted by: jodi
Those four weeks did fly by fast. Think about your 57 pages as quality writing!
Posted by: Angela
Ohhh, you look so cute in there. 57 pages is wonderful, and even more wonderful is the realization that you have really made the most of the opportunity.
Posted by: Norma
Having made the most of the time is the only important thing. Think how awful if you were kicking yourself for wasting it!! 57 pages is great.
Posted by: Deb
I don’t know nuthin about writing a novel Miss Cari. But from the posts you’ve written it seems that you are very satisfied that you used your time well and got a lot out of your experience at this retreat/residency/thing. Hooray for you. 🙂
Posted by: Laura
Miss you too! I can’t believe a month is almost up.
Now, c’mon out of the closet, okay?
Posted by: Cassie
You have done very, very well. Please send real address for re-entry package. Because, you know, you will continue to do very, very well, but a little something sweet might be nice while you’re doing it. 🙂
Posted by: Lee Ann
I’m glad you’ve felt productive, because that’s what you were so worried about before you left. Yeay for your brain.
I’m so excited you’ll be coming home so soon!
Posted by: Jenn
I have so much respect for the way you are pursuing a writing life. I’m glad this residency has been productive and satisfying.
Posted by: Juno
i am quite sure that the writing that comes after this will be that much richer, and easier, for the work you’ve put in these 30 days. and not that we write in anyway similar, but it takes me as long to get out the first part as the entire rest of it combined. 🙂
(dude! your hair has grown!!! 🙂 sorry i have been incognito. not sending any emails from work right now and that’s just about the only place i’ve been all damn week. grrrrr. miss you. see you soon enough, right? the next time i get really hungry for NY…)
Posted by: carolyn
And going home means I’m coming and that has to be good (in my books anyway). Yes, I should be leaving for the airport (half an hour)…..So do you think 2 socks will keep me going for 3 weeks?!
I love you in red. 🙂
Posted by: Alison
Is it really 4 weeks already (not that we haven’t missed you)
Glad you had a good time 🙂
Posted by: janine
That is the cutest picture of you. And also, I’m glad you’re glad to be going home – it sounds like it was really productive!
Posted by: Carrie
Hooray for writing lots! Hooray for feeling your way through you new novel. It sounds to me like this was a great opportunity for you to really get started.
Just think about how that momentum will carry you when you’re back home.
Posted by: Steph
Indeed. I’d rate that a rousing success.
Posted by: claudia
You’ve got 57 pages done! That’s tremendous. I know you’ve enjoyed it immensely, but I’m glad you’re coming home. NY needs you.
xxx
Posted by: regina
Enjoy the remainder of your stay 🙂
Posted by: Kathy
57 pages is nothing to scoff at! Like you said, you’ve gotten the most you could out of this time, and that’s what matters. Looking forward to seeing more of you. 🙂
Posted by: Sneaksleep
You still have a few days … at the end, you may not be too far away from you goal … what you’ve done is already very good, according to me.
Posted by: Agnes
I’ll come stay with you in the closet. 🙂 And bring yarn.
Posted by: Libby
I am envious and proud of you all at once.
xxooxx
Posted by: David
My, how serious you look there in the closet!
57 pages is a lot, man.
(Do you have the Ragdale/rest-home feeling yet?)
I’ll miss knowing you are nearby, but am working on getting to NY this winter, and maybe see you then, in your natural habitat!
Posted by: Pippy
i guess i forgot, or was not an avid reader, but why are you in the closet? what do you miss about that place?
we always pack tooo much knitting (fear of boredom!)
good luck to your next adventure 🙂
Posted by: gray la gran
Ohmygodiamsohappyyou’recominghome.
Posted by: Em