Well, Good Morning. It has certainly been a crazy few weeks. Why does Spring Break have to come in spring? It has totally messed with me. I have not written a word on any WiP since April 15. Let me tell you, when "they" say 'write every day', boy howdy they aren't kidding. I am out of the loop, out of whack, and out of patience.
The kitchen reno at my mother's house is coming together, however, I have been wrangled to paint as well. Not part of the deal when I signed on to help her. I spent all day Saturday on a ladder. And again on Sunday. I also found out, the contractor didn't put the drain hole in the floor for the new dishwasher, they didn't finish the wall where the bench goes, and there's a big electrical box sticking out of the wall, it's supposed to be flush. When Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy and let me tell you, Tony is going to get a few words first thing Monday morning.
I must apologize for my sporadic absence of late on the blogs, posting and commenting. Unfortunately it is spring and grass doesn't stop growing. Can I tell you how much I hate weed-wacking. It takes 3 days total to do my yard and my parents. I think if I ever did make any money from my writing, instead of a house cleaner, I think the first thing I'd do is get myself a lawn guy.
In other news, Gina Leigh Maxwell has a special post going on over at her blog today. She's been at school and just getting back into the blogosphere, so go on over and say hello.
And I'll be over with the gang at The Literary Lab this week. Mr. Bailey has come up with an experiment on voice -- if we as readers can tell our favorite authors just by some random writings. So stop by and check it out. I think it will be lots of fun. *sneaky laugh* See if you can guess which one is mine.
Question -- When you can't write (forced not voluntary hiatus) do you get cranky? Or do you just go with the flow?
33 comments:
I just finished spring break too. And even during summer vacation I know I won't get as much done. I schedule a bit of time in the morning before the kids get up and at night after they go to bed. But I set my goals lowers and adjust. But, I find come fall, the break is a good thing. Even my body thanks me and feels better. It's the unscheduled breaks and business that makes me feel like I'm getting nothing done.
Laura -- You know, I don't know who's worse, Monster Child or my mother, clamoring for my time. She said yesterday, now that the kitchen is on its way, we can start on the garden next... I should find HER the lawn guy.
If I can't write it's because I'm busy with other stuff; I rarely get a spare minute! But I haven't written much recently either, apart from on the blog of course. I intend to change that however, once Amy's gone back to school and I start on my next novel.
CJ xx
I felt very down on myself for not doing much writing for the past two years, but all of a sudden I am writing again. six chapters in the past two weeks. No idea why it changed.
As much as I love having a yard, I hate doing work on it even more, so I think I'll search for a place without one...
If I have to mow the lawn, I'm cranky no matter what! I'm with you - hiring a mowing man.
April is THE worst for me (next to November/Dec) so I didn't get much done either.
I usually go with the flow for a short time. When it goes on too long I do get CRANKY.
Crystal -- Between the lambing and the stupid people with dogs, you have more than enough on your plate. I think school should be year round some days. Thanks for stopping by.
Ted -- You must have had an extraordinary story brewing for the last two years. 6 Chapters in two weeks is fab! I'm thinking hard scape for my next house.
Alex -- With the weather we've been having, it just seems by the time I finish cutting mine, I have to do my parents, and then when I'm done with that, it's time to do mine again. However, it is a very pretty color.
Jennifer -- I'm at the cranky stage right now. Monster Child is home today (bad sore throat/fever). I had 900 things to do, but now, of course, I can't do them. Maybe I will sit home and write all day instead.
Hi,
Believe it, if I don't get to write at least a thousand words per day with WIP, I'm unbearable to live with if prevented from getting to my laptop for a couple of days re guests staying over. Although I'm the perfect host, as soon as guests leave Hubby bails out to the garden/workshop/greenhouse if not at work that day, dog ducks, and I write. Calm then prevails, and a couple of hours later tea in the garden/conservatory seems just reward!
best
F
I'm looking forward to seeing grass again. All we've got is melting snow, dead grass, and the promise of spring flowers peeking from the ground.
I can go with the flow for a very short time, but I get cranky and stressed if I'm unable to write or get 'writing things' done for awhile. Spring is a tough time because of the outdoors calling (whether for weeding or plain gorgeous weather ;)), plus, schools start to have a lot of events going on as the year end approaches.
Francine -- I'm just about ready to explode. Although, I keep biting my upper lip. I have neglected the housework and the sun just came out so I have to hang the laundry now. maybe this afternoon I can maybe "look" at my wip.
Stina -- I'm sorry you still have snow. (I really can't imagine it anymore. We have so little in the winter, I feel like I live in another country.) But I promise it will come back.
Rula -- I think my flow is just about over. I really need to get back into it. I'm starting to lose my mind, I think.
I've had to pack up a house and lost marriage of 35 years. So I've been cranky and every other emotion for a month. It's amazing how a life/marriage can be reduced to garbage bags. But I forced myself to write or edit something to keep sane. My blog is what saved me this month.
In answer to your question all I can say is it varies. Sometimes I might get a little cranky, but most of the time if put in a non-writing situation I just say it's for the best & I need to take a break.
Good thing that you're helping your mom out w/ the kitchen renovation. I guess you really do have to pay very close attention to what the kitchen renovators are doing. Brings back memories of what my Mom went through when she moved into her last new house.
Em -- I'm sorry, I had no idea. Garbage bags, yes, I have used those as well.
Lisa -- I'm afraid if I stay away too long, I might not go back to it. So much stuff to do, it's hard to not get overwhelmed in reality.
Contractors are just as bad as car salesmen.
Great to hear from you! You have been busy. Cranky ain't the word for it....
I don't think I'm getting cranky in a non-writing phase until I start writing again and realize I've been TOTALLY cranky the last few months:) Don't sweat it. Writers always come back to the craft, no matter the haitus- doesn't make us any less a writer.
i actually enjoy weed whacking. There's something nice about making the landscape look all pretty and clean
I get all sorts of cranky when I can't write. I hope you find time soon!
Betty -- No cranky ain't the word for it, but I really can't use the words I want here. I try to keep my blog as PG as possible. lol.
Katie -- Thanks. No it doesn't make me any less of a writer, I just want my old schedule back. I hate being off kilter.
Sarah -- It does look nice when it's all done, but I just hate doing it. My battery packs don't last that long and it's frustrating I can't do it all in one fell swoop.
Hannah -- I hope so too. How's the moving/packing going?
It's just the packing right now but eh, it's going. I'm waiting for the Man to finish this semester. Then we can actually did a place to move. Lol!
Hannah -- Just a few more weeks. But it's fun to move, sort of. You get to trash stuff and find stuff you haven't seen in years. And then when you unpack, it's kind of like Christmas.
I get cranky. My yard has been calling to me to do stuff and thought I like the end results of planting 15 new daylilies, I get so agitated not being able to work on my WIP!
Lydia -- I feel your pain. My garden needs so much attention -- my roses are screaming for me.
Hi,
To cheer you up there's an award waiting at my blog: suitably hot! ;)
best
F
I get antsy and preoccupied when anything and everything seem to conspire to keep me away from writing. But doggone it, the garden had to be prepped and planted, the cars needed to be washed, and dadgum it, even after 42 years of marriage, my husband STILL expects me to feed him three times a day. (EVERY day! the NERVE!) And when I do get on the computer, blogging (and reading other blogs)takes more time than I ever intended, but what the hay? Blogging is still writing, isn't it?
And good for you for helping your mom. I'd probably faint if any of our kids came over to cut the grass. (They're lucky to find the time to cut their OWN!)
See, now you weren't thinking about the lawn mowing when you called of any of those four engagements, were you? Free lawn mowing and spider killing, #1 benefits of marriage. Hehe. But don't worry, Monster Child will be old enough to mow before you know it.
I definitely get cranky when I'm forcefully removed from writing. But do you know what? I consider doing the mundane chores as writing time, because that seems to be when my mind is free to flow and think on things a little deeper.
-Nicki "Game Show" Elson
P.S. You DID answer some of those early trivia questions---did you see your name up there twice? And you come on strong later...so stay tuned...
Francine -- Thanks so much for thinking of me. By the way, love the new pic. SEX-Y.
Susan -- My garden is a tangled mess of weeds and strawberries. I haven't even cleared out the leaves from last year. My poor little plants.
Nicki -- My father bought a BIG tractor and the first thing Monster Child said was, "Can you teach me how to drive it?" She can't even reach the pedals. I usually consider mundane chores as writing time too, but with the stupid contractor screwing up, my mother is on the phone with me 5 times a day. Can't get anything done. -- Maybe I should try out for Jepoardy...lol.
I try to keep from getting cranky by thinking about my characters, and sometimes letting their story percolate in the back of my mind works wonders.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Literary Lab!
You can't hire just any lawn guy. He has to be cute!
I get cranky with myself, and very down. I've let stuff get in the way....I defeat myself....
I hope the contractor is going to fix all that stuff! If we lived closer, I'd paint for you. I like painting. Primer stinks to high heaven, but paint smells pretty good *wink*
Yeah, I get cranky if I can't write when I want to. But, I've made adjustments.
I'd seriously pretend the lawn man is a "cabana boy" type. Make him lather on the suntan oil, wear only a skimpy trunk . .
The eye candy will be well deserved :)
.......dhole
I get VERY cranky when I can't write. It's such an outlet for me. Here's hoping you get your lawn guy sooner than later :)
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