Trials and Tribulations

It's that time again.  I have trial.  Why is it that every time I get seriously deep into my writing, a trial pops up demanding that I keep unconscionable hours at the office?  Are the writing muses testing my patience by throwing these obsticles in my way?  Are the legal gods telling me to hang up my pen and paper because my only talent is being a royal pain in the patoot?

I need at least forty-eight hours in a day to get done everything on my "to do" list.  Laundry calls (or I could just go buy new underwear), floors need to be mopped (then again, there are throw rugs), calls beckon to be returned (if they really want to speak with me, they will call back, right?), and I have the glaring word count to be met each day.  Oh, and I think I need to eat a meal or two (worry not - if you have seen me, you know I can find my way to food).

I know the adage that if you want something done, give it to a busy person.  Well, I am the busy person.  Please, don't give me anymore.  My plate is full.  Seriously.  It looks like I hit a workload buffet. I am good.  I don't need another serving.  Really.  

So, as the clock ticks closer to midnight, I contemplate the need to write while working.  I love to write.  It is fun. The escape is  far more enjoyable, for me, than going out to a movie where I am limited to someone else's imagination. But work keeps the lights on and food on the table. Why do I write?  Is it because of the trials and tribulations at work, or despite of them?  You tell me.

So It Shall Be Written, So It Shall Be Done

I love making lists. When I sit down, pen in hand (because a list can only be properly made with a pen in one hand and notepad in the other), the rush and excitement of the list take me away. Actually following the lists is a horse of a different color. Once the list is made, it loses its luster. Rather than being the certification of my ambition and responsibility, it taunts me and acts as an albatross hanging on my refrigerator.

For this reason, I have vowed that any lists from this point will consist of short term, attainable goals. The biggies won't make it into writing, at least not yet. I need the rush that comes with marking things off the list. Am I settling for mediocrity to have the highest goals on my list be "write 100 words each day" and "do two loads of laundry a week?" If so, at least the list won't wind up in a crumpled ball sometime around March.

So, in the spirit of setting attainable goals, this is my "to do" list for 2010:

1. Write 100 words a day for 100 days

2. Do 2 loads of laundry a week

3. Keep a list of everything I eat

4. Read at least one book a month

5. Post on this blog at least once a month.

It is now written. Will it be done?

I'm a Mac

I did it. I switched. I am now a Volvo driving, Starbucks drinking, Mac user.

My PC flashes at me in a guilty tone of green. Are the crashes behind me? Will my internet browser remain thawed, never to freeze again?

Having the Stones to Write

I normally don't have much time to write. It really stinks, actually. I have a demanding day job that I WISH could be nine to five. It is more like nine to midnight, if I am lucky. I made a promise to myself to shlog through November and finish my two works in progress. I had a plan. It was a good plan. Somewhere around 3:10 a.m last Thursday, the plan went to hell.

I woke with a pain in my central rib cage and shortness of breath. After a hearty meal at the Cheesecake Factory (what could be healthier), my first thought was that I had heartburn. A few Tums later, nothing changed. I woke my husband and made him drive me to the hospital. I felt like a total hypochondriac in the ER admitting area (although, I must say, the lack of a sense of urgency with the triage nurse perturbed me to no end).

I know I need to eat better and exercise, but I love gooey, cheesy, flavorful foods and sitting on my big fat keister. Simple pleasures - when you find them you have to savor them. However, fearfully I gave my me eculpa to the ER doc, promised to put myself on the straight and narrow, and begged him to make the blasted pain go away.

Several hours later, after an ultrasound, x-ray and blood work, I got the verdict. Gall stones. I had gall stones. I am only 36. This guy must be kidding me. And his delivery, oh it was priceless.

"You have gall stones. Your gall bladder needs to come out. Here is a list of two surgeons. Do you want us to call one for you, or do you have your own?" Like I keep a surgeon on speed dial.

I find myself now trying to rearrange a work schedule, sneak in the much needed house repairs in the next two weeks, and schedule a surgery. My poor plan was the first casualty. I had a color coded calendar and everything.

The question remains, during my downtime following surgery when I am confined to my bed, will I have the stones to write?

Countdown has begun!

The countdown has begun. I will win at NaNoWriMo this year. To quote Yosemite Sam, "Dagnabit!" A little motivation surfaced this week when someone emailed me this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G84wr7nP7ck) - I am motivated to write (and lose weight - need to trim down the derriere if we are going to appear in videos)

The Stuff in the Middle

The best part of an Oreo is the stuff in the middle. It holds the yummy chocolate cookies together. I love the stuff in the middle. Until now.

I am stuck in the middle of outlining my story. I know where I want to end. I like where I have started. The blasted stuff in the middle is driving me crazy. There are too many paths to take. It's worse than going to an all you can eat gourmet buffet on a full stomach. Lots of great choices, but you have to pick one.

Blasted stuff in the middle.

NaNoWriMo and the Snowflake Method

OK - I have a PLAN. You now I am serious because I capitalized it.

THE PLAN is this - use the Snowflake method to prepare for NaNoWriMO in October, write like a crazy person in November, and celebrate with a finished first draft in December. The underpants gnomes have nothing on me when it comes to planning! What could possibly go wrong?

Phase one is in motion - I am working on step 3 of the snowflake method (character summaries) today. If I can match my ambition with hard work this weekend, I might make it to step five. Lets keep our fingers crossed and see what happens . . .