My days to write are Monday and Friday. I've dedicated those days to working on the outstanding editing, writing, grant prep, whatever needs to be done. It didn't get done today.
Have you ever read a book that took over everything? That you couldn't put down but didn't want to read because reading only brought you closer to the end and you really wonder what you are going to have left if you ever finish it? I'm reading one like that now, and did so until after 3am last night. Even after I forced myself to turn off the light my head was swirling with the heart ache in the story and it was a long time before I fell asleep. Then today, not only was I useless because I was tired, I was useless because I couldn't pull my head out of THAT story to work on my own. FRUSTRATING! I cherish my writing days, relish in the time I have to focus on it that when I lose a day to lack of focus... grrr!
N
Monday, April 29, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Quiet Fridays
As I type, my 65 pound calico cat is purring in my lap. Okay, she's not 65lbs but she's fat. Very fat. And when you put all that fat on two tiny points of balance that are her front feet, well... she's fat.
The house is quiet. Every so often the dog will whimper or growl in his sleep. He's chasing something but I don't know what it is. The kitten (who isn't an kitten any more but is called that by virtue of being the youngest pet) alternates between sleeping on the couch with the dog and tearing around the house saving us from an evil only she can see. The kids are at school, and I'm starting to watch the clock to make sure I get them in time. Content. Relaxed.
I've edited today, which is sometimes great and sometimes terrible. With the story I was editing, I would get so wrapped up in the characters that I forget to read actively. I've had to 're-edit' several parts! I have another voice whispering at me, an interesting idea that I'd like to investigate. And I'm anxiously waiting to get Game Plan back on my desk to give it another go. There's no better place to be!
N
The house is quiet. Every so often the dog will whimper or growl in his sleep. He's chasing something but I don't know what it is. The kitten (who isn't an kitten any more but is called that by virtue of being the youngest pet) alternates between sleeping on the couch with the dog and tearing around the house saving us from an evil only she can see. The kids are at school, and I'm starting to watch the clock to make sure I get them in time. Content. Relaxed.
I've edited today, which is sometimes great and sometimes terrible. With the story I was editing, I would get so wrapped up in the characters that I forget to read actively. I've had to 're-edit' several parts! I have another voice whispering at me, an interesting idea that I'd like to investigate. And I'm anxiously waiting to get Game Plan back on my desk to give it another go. There's no better place to be!
N
Monday, April 15, 2013
Bringing home the Bacon
So I have a rather good paying day job... It's fun and challenging and rewarding most of the time. And the children don't bite. Often. Well, not daily at least.
But I love to write.
I've decided to dedicate Monday and Friday to writing - working on Game Plan, working on my second story that I'm prepping for submission, writing short stories from images and ideas that don't have a novel home, drafting a character that's been whispering... there's lots to do. I can fill my day easily without getting up from my desk. (Which is good because much of the day there's a cat in my lap and they don't like to be disturbed).
But I'm not making money.
And in the end, it seems, that occupational worth is dictated by money. It's a weird arbitrary scale where full grown boys playing baseball make more than nurses and teachers, but none-the-less a job that doesn't pay anything isn't usually seen as being worth doing.
Even my husband has learned the hard way not to ask, "You're not working tomorrow?" when he tries to confirm my week schedule. Sigh.
So I'm applying for a grant. Again. We'll see how that works out. And in the meantime I'll remind Steve that I am now a writer with a contract. And hope that someday my favourite job will help buy groceries. If not, I'm still happy to sit under my warm cat and enjoy the days poking at my computer.
N
But I love to write.
I've decided to dedicate Monday and Friday to writing - working on Game Plan, working on my second story that I'm prepping for submission, writing short stories from images and ideas that don't have a novel home, drafting a character that's been whispering... there's lots to do. I can fill my day easily without getting up from my desk. (Which is good because much of the day there's a cat in my lap and they don't like to be disturbed).
But I'm not making money.
And in the end, it seems, that occupational worth is dictated by money. It's a weird arbitrary scale where full grown boys playing baseball make more than nurses and teachers, but none-the-less a job that doesn't pay anything isn't usually seen as being worth doing.
Even my husband has learned the hard way not to ask, "You're not working tomorrow?" when he tries to confirm my week schedule. Sigh.
So I'm applying for a grant. Again. We'll see how that works out. And in the meantime I'll remind Steve that I am now a writer with a contract. And hope that someday my favourite job will help buy groceries. If not, I'm still happy to sit under my warm cat and enjoy the days poking at my computer.
N
Friday, April 12, 2013
Mind Yoga
I'm back! It feels great to be sitting quietly at my computer, giving life to my imaginary friends. I try to write on Mondays and Fridays when my kids are in school. For the past several weeks I haven't had those days - there was March Break, then a snow day, then Easter weekend, then hockey (always hockey) and I haven't had a solid writing day to work. Monday I did, and today I do (though not at my comfy MeStation desk with my cats as the car is in the shop - again).
Writing is like a drug for me... a maintenance regimen that keeps me even and calm, content. Mind yoga. When I don't have the time to write I find myself falling sullen and cranky, short with the kids, bitter to everyone else... not a good scene. SO, I'm so happy to be back.
My Publisher (like how I squeeze that in?) has Game Plan for review. I'm trying to ignore it because wondering how it's going might drive me crazy. In the meantime I'm working on preparing a second story for submission. This second story has a magnetic pull on me... it's hard to climb out of the story. I think it's the kind of story that really should be written furiously in an isolated mountain cabin; a product of a few months' obsessive effort without distraction.
N
Writing is like a drug for me... a maintenance regimen that keeps me even and calm, content. Mind yoga. When I don't have the time to write I find myself falling sullen and cranky, short with the kids, bitter to everyone else... not a good scene. SO, I'm so happy to be back.
My Publisher (like how I squeeze that in?) has Game Plan for review. I'm trying to ignore it because wondering how it's going might drive me crazy. In the meantime I'm working on preparing a second story for submission. This second story has a magnetic pull on me... it's hard to climb out of the story. I think it's the kind of story that really should be written furiously in an isolated mountain cabin; a product of a few months' obsessive effort without distraction.
N
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