Lynn's Law . . . (LynnK)

. . . of Simultaneous Occurrences. Also known as LLOSO. Sounds like Loss-O, and Loss is the operative word.

Why is it that days, weeks, or months can stretch out like an arid desert with nothing important happening? With nothing special to look forward to?

And then, as if life were micro-managed by a dyspeptic imp, one day or week or month is suddenly crammed with conflicting obligations and pleasures? Last month alone, I got four delightful invitations. Three were for events on the same afternoon. The other was for that evening.

What to do? Can’t do them all. Whom to cut loose? My friends and family would be understanding. They’d let me off the hook. But I profoundly believe that we should save our best for the people we most care about.

Not to mention that when good things are on offer, I can’t help wanting to do what I most enjoy. What about meeeeeee?

You got it, Sherlock. That’s what’s happening right now. A treasured friend (Alicia Rasley) is in town, and I have never spent an unpleasurable moment in her company. The chance to brainstorm my current book-in-progress with a brilliant writer-teacher is not to be surrendered.

But! I’m singing in a fabulous concert tonight and have been tied up with rehearsals. No time for book brainstorming.

Happily, Alicia and StoryBroad fans Thea and John will be in the audience. It’s always more fun to be singing for people you know. But no partying afterward, because tomorrow I am presenting a writing workshop. Must be fresh. Perky. Coherent.

Good luck with that, Lynn.

And then, on Thursday next, Pat Potter is flying out to join us for an informal Writer Retreat. Another busy writer-friend, Carol Prescott (She of the Prestigious Day Job), can manage a weekend here. Wine and talk will flow like rivers. We might even get some work done.

But all too soon, the February of Many Pleasures will be over. Right now I’m giddy with delight, frustrated with lack of time to enjoy, and dreading the end of the music and the time spent with much-loved friends.

But there will be more music, that’s for sure. At long last, I will have another go at playing the guitar. Pat and I will plan our rambling drive up the California Coast to San Francisco for the RWA Conference in July. In fact, my calendar for the next few months is already filling up.

And naturally, LLOSO is kicking in. Nearly all the really juicy events are pushing themselves into conflict with one another. Too bad about that.

Then again, perhaps the long stretches of isolation are gifts from the Muse, large chunks of time meant for intensive writing. I know lots of writers who would be grateful for the quiet times looming all too soon in my future.

I should be grateful. And I am.

But I should also be disciplined. And I’m not.

So . . . what are you looking forward to in the next few weeks or months? And do you wisely use your empty times, or do you fritter them away?

Maybe we need to form a support group. Fritterers Anonymous!