This is a joke. Mostly.
Two weeks ago, I wouldn’t say I was a very productive writer. I think I logged one workday where I spent 20 minutes adjusting one chapter before I slammed my laptop shut and did not touch it again. Not too bad considering everything else I got done. At least, that’s my humble (and totally not biased) opinion.
This past week looked up quite a bit. I wouldn’t say I forced myself to get work done, but I found free time in my surprisingly busy schedule to sit down and actually use my computer. (Yes, it was dead and had to be charged.) The end result is a lot of progress made in a little time—if I really want, I could probably finish Draft 2 this week, and I just might.
That’s a scary thought. This manuscript is flying by at supersonic speed (or maybe I’m just really good at keeping myself busy), and it won’t be too much longer before I’m once again twiddling my thumbs and searching for something to do. To prepare, I’m starting to indulge my whims a little early.
Which means, as you probably guessed by this week’s title, another trip to an amusement park. And this one was a lot closer to home.
Holiday World—and its water park, Splashin’ Safari—is about a 40-minute drive from my house. I went a lot as a kid, but as high school and then college got in the way, I’ve fallen out of the annual Holiday World trips.
I can confidently say this was my first time back in Santa Claus, Indiana in…at least 5 or 6 years. So, yes, some old favorites were gone, but so much of what I remembered was the same, and it was really cool to see a place I loved as a kid half a decade later. Talk about a blast from the past!
This time around, I approached this trip like a newbie. I looked up the best places to eat, cool rides, a map of the park to plan my route, the whole nine yards. The end result was a very efficient group adventure that lasted all day. (In another life, I could be a planner of sorts. Although I don’t think it would be much fun to plan a vacation you weren’t going on, lol.)
I am going to be vulnerable and beg you to hold in your laughter when I type this, but even though I absolutely adore Holiday World, I’m not exactly a rollercoaster lover. In fact, I’m terrified of them. And heights. And the clunking of machines that means they’re working but actually sounds like they’re falling apart.
So, yes, I did hold bags while my friends rode favorites like The Legend and The Voyage. I also routinely inspected each ride I got on to make sure the rating wasn’t above “moderate.” I ate great food, avoided a sunburn, and even managed to ride some coasters I’d never had the courage to get on before (something about gravy? I’m not too sure my eyes were closed).
I had a good time. And I’m thankful that I’m so ahead on other projects that I didn’t have to feel bad about doing something fun instead.
Somehow, I think that might be the theme of my summer. Yes, I’ve been very vocal about wanting to stay active even if I’m at that point where my timeline is out of my control. I’ve even lined up a few projects that I’m excited to tackle even if I might be getting around to them a lot sooner than I expected.
And that work ethic, that consistency in writing that I worked so hard to achieve and am extremely proud of, has led to moments where I can let myself goof off without feeling bad or like I’m wasting time.
I can go to an amusement park and write books. Who would’ve thought?
My last piece of advice for the week is this: if I have convinced you to take a trip to Holiday World (and you totally should), do not try to do the theme and water park in one day. Either I am in fact getting older or the park is so cool that it’s impossible to do without drinking enough caffeine to cause concern.
End of Week Writing Stats
Days Worked: 2
Chapters Edited: 4
Handfuls of Motivational Snacks: I’ve hit my sweet treat counter for the week