The Pile

We all have it.

The Stack.

The mound of books a mile and a half high that we swear we’re working through, and we’ll get to it soon. The stash of To Be Read that includes the latest bestseller, the one recommended by a friend eleven years ago, the ones our close writing buddies just got published, the one our mom gave us last Christmas that we have to read to be polite, and half a dozen others that we picked up one time for some really important reason or another.

The stack by my bed I’m slowly whittling down. But there’s another stack in my inbox that keeps growing. I have three friends who have lately asked me if I would like to read their WIPs.

YES! Of course! I’d LOVE to!

And so I accept them and I’m all set to delve into them….

…and then I get on a roll in my own WIP and want to get as much down on paper as I can.

…and then I have to get caught up on housecleaning, because no matter how much I clean, four little elephants running around tracking in mud and making artistic creations and eating snacks make it impossible to keep things clean for any length of time.

…and then the baby poops during nap time and takes his diaper off and smears poo all over himself and his bed.

…and then I have kids home sick from school several days in a row, vomiting incessantly and not always in a confined space.

…and then I have to do the Christmas shopping and wrapping and putting together.

….and then, and then, and then.

There’s always an excuse, always something else that needs to get done. But I have come to three conclusions about this Pile that I think are important. One, if I’m going to write I need to read. Two, if I want others to read my books, I need to  be willing to read theirs. Three, if I make a commitment to read someone’s manuscript, I need to follow through with that commitment and give them the feedback I’ve promised.

So, that is one of my goals over the next couple of weeks during Christmas break. I plan to catch up on some reading and make my way through my To Be Read pile, starting with the ones in my inbox. Wish me luck.

 

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