August is a transition month, when my children’s summer vacation comes to a close and I try to remember how to be productive in a silent house. The kids have settled into their new school routines now, but I haven’t yet settled into my new routine as a so-called “professional” writer and editor. Back in July while they were occupied by two weeks of summer camp, I began to lay out some ground rules for my new self-employed work life. Now it’s time to put those strategies into action.

I’ve decided on a regular schedule for my blogging and social media activities that will hopefully keep me active in these areas without being so restrictive I’ll instinctively want to blow them off. I’ve also put together a list of writing and editing goals I’d like to accomplish in the next several months. I had so many ideas swirling around in my head, I needed to organize them in print so that I could determine whether or not they were doable and in what time frame.

All that’s left to do is begin. That’s always the hardest part, isn’t it?

The first week my kids were in school, I was occupied being an adoptee activist: I participated in my first Adoptee Rights Demonstration and also spoke on a radio show discussing the Veronica Brown case. I was glad for the opportunity to speak on behalf of other like-minded adoptees and thrilled to meet some of them in person, but being the introvert that I am, these kinds of activities always wear me out. Last week I felt as if I couldn’t get going on anything meaningful. I only wanted to rest.

Now I have two book reviews to complete for the upcoming issue of Flycatcher, and another for Lost Daughters. Plus all the other things on my list of personal business goals. I’m ready to get started.