Thursday, May 31, 2007

Motivation Schmotivation

*winces*

Boy, that was a bad pun.

At any rate, as much as I preach about writing something every day, i find myself staring helplessly at the computer screen for hours at a time. Granted, lately I've been so involved with things outside of my writing and inarguably more important (life issues suck) but what in the HECK happened to my ability to block everything else out and just write?

Part of it may have disintegrated when I discovered that a hospital waiting room is not the best place to write erotica--particularly when the asshole sitting behind you is reading over your shoulder (pig) and THEN gets offended. Talk about a mood killer. Needless to say, I mad sure to sit in a corner with my back to the wall after that.

Part of it may have to do with the fact that I'd initially said I would not write on deadline this summer in an attempt to get my "real" writing rhythm back--then collapsed morally and agreed to do not one but two contracted stories. Sometimes I have the backbone of a wet lasagna noodle.

Part of it may have to do with the fact that I am pissed Nora Roberts has bobbleheads and I don't. *pout*

Most of it, I think, has to do with the fact that I inevitably have something else that HAS to be done: house cleaning, taking the brat to the doctor, weeding my garden, DOING ENDLESS EDITS, working on promo or websites.....almost ANYTHING that will keep me from sitting down and applying my brain to a particularly nasty plot snag or character development.

Then again, it may be that I spend so much time and effort right now on plot snags and character development that I just can't let myself go and just write. So, today I'm trying an experiment. The spousal unit is out of town on a business trip. I work this afternoon for four hours or so and get home around six. I think I'll ship the brat off for a night of frivolity and teeanged hedonism and take back my study. I have a goal today: I want to get 8k written before I go to bed. I've already set up all of my research materials and I'm going to head straight into work.

Eight thousand words. At my best, I could pull off 1500 words an hour; I'm being kind and saying only 1k per hour tonight...which will put me to bed at 2 a.m. *takes deep breath* I can do it. Stay tuned; I'll post results tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

And now it's crunch time

After yet another emergency trip down south, I am now once again behind.

This really ticks me off. It's not like I TRY to get behind. I've had to be good in real life lately so that's made me bad in writing life. So I'm locking myself away until Saturday and getting everything done. *grin* Fortunately, I'm quick. That helps a lot.

So I have more edits due on Asphodel, which is looking like an end of June release, plus as much promo as I can drum up for it, plus another 28k due to Changeling inthe same amount of time, plus getting the anthology submission ready and forwarding it on to my editor, plus trying to get SOME new writing done just to be different. Nah, I'm not busy.

In other news, I watched a fascinating show on the History Channel last night about the legacy of Star Wars. (Yes, I take out two hours a day for shows I want to watch--so sue me) The show was an exploration of the mythic origins of the Star Wars story and how archetypal themes and characterizations make the story pertinent. I must admit, even with my background in mythology and folklore I was vastly unprepared to sit on my couch and say *Wow, I do that* for two hours. Granted, I haven't studied Joseph Campbell in a few years but the whole concept of the mythic journey of the hero must have remained subconciously in the back of my mind when I wrote the Asphodel books.

George Lucas watch out. *grin*



Friday, May 18, 2007

Just paint a target on my forehead....


Why is it that every time I express a strong opinion I get creamed for it? Is it illegal for me to be convinced of something to the point where I can be passionate about it without someone lobbing a dart at my head? Am I THAT intimidating?

For example, over the past week the health situation within my family has deteriorated significantly. I expressed ONE opinion about what should happen next when it comes time to make health care decisions and I was lambasted for it by an aunt I haven't seen in ten years. Do you know what it's like to get a phone call EARLY one morning with someone squawking words like *ungrateful* *unfeeling* and *unsympathetic* at you? I mean, Jesus H. Christ! Come off it lady! You're just pissed because I'm in a position where my opinion counts and you are shunted off to the side as irrelevant.

Get a clue.

The upside of hospital waiting room for days on end is IF you have all of your edits downloaded you can get them ALL done.

*smirk*

Although sitting in a waiting room with screaming kids and daytime talk shows isn't the ideal environment for doing rewrites, it sure beats the alternative. I never cared much for Reader's Digest Condensed books. Too short.

So, on my latest first day back, I think I'll work on some short stories that fell by the wayside over the last few months and get some new submissions out there. Anything would be better than letting my head be used as a dartboard. *sigh* Just wait until I turn away and then aim for my back.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Someone stop the world, please

Jesus. Has it really been that long? Yep, it has. I haven't written a WORD in three weeks. Naturally, that will change today, but for the moment it's kind of....refreshing.

Refreshed is a good word to use here. Today, I WANT to write. Oh sure, I was able to jot down some stuff while sitting in the ICU waiting room for endless days on end.

Ideas, mostly; a few snippets of conversation or character sketches. I amused myself one day for hours and developed a whole new world to play with---no characters yet, but I'm working on it. Or at least, I will....if I can ever get caught up with my edits.

*pauses for semi-hysterical laughter*

Yeah. Like that will happen. I'll never get caught up. Never. Yes, I realize that is negative. I thrive on negativity. It goads me. Leave me alone; I'll never change.

So anyway, I'm back. Spidey 3 is out (no I haven't seen it. do you think I have time for a movie?) and Pirates will be out soon and we're only a couple of months away from the last Harry Potter book. I've got my schedule cleared (barring any more family emergencies) and I'm getting ready to really settle into a hefty writing stretch. Then we'll see what happens.

Of course, it would be a lot easier if someone stopped the world and let my life catch up.