how i write
I have lots of little quirks, when it comes to writing fiction. (My family, in the background, “HA. HA. Ha!”)
Blog posts are a whole different animal — they strike when they strike. It doesn’t matter if a cat is on my desk, drinking my coffee, or if he’s yowling out the window at birds (that would be Wacky Cat 3). The kids can be fighting and wrestling at my feet, I can be talking with my Mom, Zip or the insurance company on the phone, it does not matter. Have blog, will post.
But when I’m writing fiction, I have to do things in a certain order.
* First, I have to vacuum and dust my entire office. (Done. This is why it’s awesome to have several days in a row to write.)
* All clutter and paperwork have to be out of my sight.
* I have to eat really simple food — sandwiches, a bowl of soup, pieces of fruit, an entire bag of Hershey kisses — because this is not cooking time, this is writing time.
* I keep a jug of water and a glass next to me, so I don’t have to leave my office. (I love my office, I mean it. Three windows, a glass door to the backyard, so I can keep an eye on the kids when they’re playing. Why am I moving? Can I keep the office?)
* I cannot pay bills, fold laundry, any of that, or else I’m derailed.
* I have to have a cup of tea. Preferably English breakfast with three splashes of milk. Or an entire pot of coffee. (Will settle today for my alloted cup.)
* The phone cannot ring. If it does, I tell whoever it is (unless it’s an agent or editor, or another writer who is looking for excuses not to write — sometimes I will play, other times I won’t) “Gotta go, writing.” Then I hang up. They’re all used to this. At least, I hope no one’s feelings get hurt. I have become my grandmother — dad’s mom. She was queen of saying, “OK, then.” (click.)
* I have to have some music on, but it has to be just the right music, at the right level. Not too quiet, not too loud.
* Blog posts have to be wrapped up tight.
Gotta go, writing.
happy Saturday, y’all.
Nancy
, 
.
Oh my god, you are good. I have none of your focus. I’m all about Pink is the New Blog, Gofugyourself, TMZ. googling myself, ex-boyfriends. It takes me four hours for something that should take two. Damn you blogrolls!
December 1st, 2007 | #
ML,
Somedays (most days) I have to check the blogs first, but other days (today) I had to say no. That’s only cuz I had to say “yes” first to the last 20 minutes of the Sopranos episode I was watching from last night. (Chrissie. Dammit.)
December 1st, 2007 | #
Also I don’t have a two year old.
December 1st, 2007 | #
Ok, then.
*Click*
December 1st, 2007 | #
Hmm. I need a doohicky that attaches to my brain when I am driving/folding laundry/glazing/stirring fudge, that records my brainwaves or something. Then my writing would be prolific and vunderbar.
Or I need two more arms, like Lakshmi.
A nice office is a plus, why are you moving? (heh, heh!) Can you rent an office near your new place? If it doesn’t already have a perfect office, I mean. I rent a studio near to the boys’ school, and that works great for me. But! If we ever build our house, I will have the best studio in the world there!
December 2nd, 2007 | #
I had this same idea many years ago, but to transform the ideas straight into a movie..Great brains think alike.
December 2nd, 2007 | #
See you on the flip side. I expect great things to flow out of you…ew..I didn’t mean for that to sound so messy…
December 3rd, 2007 | #
I’m not even offended that you hang up on me! ;)
Ok, you haven’t, but I know where you are.
December 3rd, 2007 | #