Wow. Looking back at my notes, I see that this time last month, I was about sixty days ahead of my writing goal. Now I’m about two weeks behind. This has been a trying time in may day job and it’s not only taking time from my writing, but it’s dragging me down mentally and emotionally so much that when I do have time, I can’t quite get into it. Those of you who have never worked as a teacher do not and cannot know the amount of daily pressure that teachers are under. It sounds like I’m whining– and I guess I am a bit. The events of the past week just illustrate one layer of the stress that goes along with the job.
Teachers are expected to be educators, counselors, clergy, parents, social workers, and friends. They are expected to care for their students as if they were their own children, to provide for the students what their parents can’t provide, and to lay down their lives if necessary to protect them. Most teachers know this and are ready to do so. On the other hand, teachers are criticized and blamed for every problem that their students have, whether it is low test scores or bullying. My cardiologist, wondering why my blood pressure was so high asked me “is your job stressful?” I said, “You have no idea. You’re only a heart surgeon.”
Anyway, three more school days and I’ll be out for two Winter Vacation weeks. Hopefully I’ll be able to write something then.
City of Amathar 
Wes, I don’t follow the math here: if you were 60 days ahead, shouldn’t it take you TWO months to just get back to par? Must be the “New Math”! 🙂
I’m sure your students (and their parents) appreciate the hard work you are doing for them. I expect one of them will come back for a visit in a few years and tell you how your teaching set them on a good path in life. Let the writing sit for a while, if you need to. “82 Eridani” can wait!
Moe
Moe, at the beginning of this year, I set a goal for myself to write 6 pages a day (or edit a chapter, etc). When I’m in the groove, I can knock out many more than six pages. Last month, I had days when I wrote 23, 24, even 27 pages. I have a little book and I keep track of how much and what I’m writing to keep myself on task. Since about mid-November though, most days I’ve written less than four pages a day. Many days only one. The 22nd starts my winter vacation though, so I’m hoping to sit down and write a lot. With any luck, I’ll be able to make up for those earlier days.