Sometimes things happen out of order

Hexagon block for Alexandria, a wonderful ongoing process!

Quilts. And novels, ahem....

I almost titled this Sincere considerations, because to blithely discuss writing (actual writing not revising) or machine-piecing a quilt seems precarious. Why? Because it's been over a year since I finished writing anything new and a few months since sewing with my machine which is STILL UNDER ITS COVER. 

But I'm not going to change the title. In leaving it alone, I'm possibly setting myself up for disappointment, but damnit, I REALLY WANNA WRITE SOMETHING NEW! And look at something different on the design wall. I stretch twice a day in the room where the design wall resides, and I meant to take down the blocks just minutes ago after completing my stretches, but I forgot. Jeez Louise! I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached (and I'm a little afraid I'm forgetting how to.... Not write, but, but, but....)!

The out of order bit relates to the quilt I'm sincerely considering, a Christmas quilt. Because why not? Also because I have fabrics already cut and an idea and I don't have a Christmas quilt believe it or not.

So yeah, Christmas in January. I'm (possibly) in!

As for writing.... This time last year, or maybe last February, I started what was going to be part of The Enran Chronicles. An addendum, if you will, detailing the life of a character that turns up in Book Three (to be released in March). After three chapters, I gave up, but saved the work of course. Because Book Four of The Enran Chronicles began with an abandoned chapter, so best to not throw anything away, like story notes, ahem.

Anyways.... Last night I surveyed those chapters, copying them into a new document, deleting the second chapter, then saving it as a new version. This morning I read through it, revised a wee bit, made notes, then closed it thinking, "Yeah, I could write more of this. Not that I know what's gonna happen but...." But that's okay. Just that I want to expand upon it, with no pressure to turn it into a full-length novel, feels GREAT! Maybe a novella. Or maybe I'll write another couple chapters, then close it up for a while.

Maybe that's all it will be.

When I started the Alexandria quilt, I assumed no stoppage would occur. Why begin a project with a cloud over it? Yet I set it aside for nearly two years! What about that random chapter of Book Four, something tossed off without proper notes (because sometimes notes really aren't necessary), then turned into a novel, actually more than that. That one chapter helped shape a series and if I write a novella prior to the next book in the series, it's my series, my decision. My joy to write as I please and better to be happy about creative endeavors than wanting to tear them, or oneself, into shreds.

The creative process, be it for novels or quilts, can't be crammed into a box or forced onto a list, followed with absolute precision. There are few absolutes about creativity; I write and sew for pleasure, and if my methods are unusual, so what? What matters isn't even a finished piece or story, although completed items make me feel better than unfinished pieces. But after the last few years, getting older has taught me that time is a tricky beast, awfully precarious when it feels like it, and best utilized with minimal constraints about what emerges. My efforts are enough, because what needs to be accomplished WILL BE accomplished, and what is meant to languish will, well, fade away. There aren't enough hours in the day for all I'd like to do, which is a pretty spectacular blessing, to have plentiful dreams waiting to be fulfilled. So maybe I'll write soon. Maybe I'll start a Christmas quilt soon too. Maybe I'll have dinner soon as well, lol. It's closing in on suppertime, EPP time, basketball time. Writing and quilt designing will happen tomorrow.

Or they won't. No worries either way.