Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Expectations are the road to disappointment (smile.)

Dec 13, 2023

Welcome, I’m Mary Louisa Locke, the author of the USA Today best-selling Victorian San Francisco Mystery series and the Caelestis Science Fiction series. In this daily newsletter, I reflect on my life as an indie author trying to age gracefully, including my struggles to maintain a balanced life, what I listen to, read, and watch for entertainment, and occasional bits of information I’ve gleaned from doing the research for my novels.

Daily Diary, Day 1198:

Well so much for expectations. Yesterday I got a grand total of 90 words written. There were a flurry of things we needed to do for the remodel, approving an alternative for the light fixtures, deciding to go with brushed nickel versus chrome for the faucets, etc. Then there was a request to take photos of the house and sign a document that was required for the permitting process because there is some sort of historical review process for any house over 45 years old (ours is 50). Actually, I found the idea that our early 70s tract development home now fit under the need for historical review. But I guess they have to start somewhere with ensuring that classic models – like the craftsman houses and Victorian mansions that still exist in parts of town don’t all disappear.

Then I attended a zoom meeting of other fiction writers on substack, and just as I started to write after doing the remodel stuff after lunch, I got a call from a beloved relative, and there went the rest of the afternoon.

But I am not complaining, because it was a fun, productive day, including my two walks and core exercises, and a simple reminder not to have expectations, but just plans (which can be easily changed mid-stream.

Today, again, hoping (but not expecting!) for some writing time, only one scheduled call, and I am keeping fingers crossed nothing else happens.

During my walk last night, I actually saw two beautiful rose blooms, so here you go.

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