My ambition was to complete my so-called novel (the 1st draft) by the end of June. Now I have realized that this will not be possible.
I don't suffer from writer's block, quite the contrary. I've got writer's ban.
When I sit down to write, it takes less than ten minutes before I'm interrupted by my old lady:
"What are you doing?"
"Writing"
"Do something useful. Do the dishes, mow the grass, paint the fence, water the flowers, iron your shirts, clean the bathroom, go for a walk. Do whatever, just get off that computer."
So, I have to go back to my old strategy, write when I'm out traveling, take the opportunities I get, write in small portions, slowly but steadily. No goals.
And writing a blog post only takes five minutes >:)
(That's my copy of On Writing by Stephen King in the picture. This winter, I put it in my pocket when I was on duty as gate judge in a giant slalom race. I planned to read before the start, and between the 1st and 2nd run, when nothing was happening. During the day, it started to rain heavily. Both the book and I got soaking wet. I took two weeks to dry it and bring it back to a readable condition. Good book.)
Bummer. Glad my wife doesn't do that to me. She encourages me to write.
ReplyDeleteThat's really sad. Having a supportive spouse is so important.
ReplyDeleteyou should get her a boyfriend, then she'll let you do whatever you want. (i'm just kidding...sort of.) ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is a good book. I didn't know you were a novelist.
ReplyDeleteCan you dictate when you drive? And ask someone to transcribe for you?
ReplyDeletebtw, skiing season starts here and it's very very cold now!
Chemical Fusion
That was a good book, I gave it to my mother and she loved it too. She keeps quoting it at me now :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the writing time.
Why don't you ask her to read what you're writing? Getting her involved may help her understand what you're trying to do, and reach your goal.
ReplyDeleteI think it's difficult for people who aren't writers, or actively writing, to comprehend the kind of passion that drives a writer to lock himself outside of the world. It requires a lot of alone time. And loved ones feel neglected. Tough to balance it all.
Alex: You're in a lucky situation. Make sure you keep her happy >:)
ReplyDeleteid: That's a brilliant idea >:)
Suze: I'm not. My so-called novel is just a hobby project that I will hopefully complete some day. It's a crap novel, and I won't recommend anyone to waste their time reading it. But I have a lot of fun writing it >:)
Enid: Dostoyevsky once used the dictate-method. He had a contract with a publisher and realized he was running out of time. So he hired a stenographer to write while he was dictating. When the book was completed, he married the stenographer ...
I know there is good skiing in New Zeeland at this time of the year, but never heard of any resorts in Australia.
Astrid: Yes, very good book. It's the only book by Stephen King that I have read. Most of the time I prefer Russian Classics >:)
Jayne: Maybe that's a good idea, or maybe not. She would probably think I'm mad. I agree; it's very hard to explain passion for writing to non-writers, and to people who are mostly concerned with practical everyday issues.
I like On Writing. It surprised me by being funny in places.
ReplyDeleteYou realize your wife is just looking out for your best interest, don't you? She just wants you to exercise and relax.
Helen: Yes, of course. That's the reason >:)
ReplyDeleteWriting while traveling has always worked for you.
ReplyDeleteI like id's idea to get her a boyfriend:)
You need to travel more and finish that book! Or just ignore her which, admittedly, might not be such a hot idea. Bring her flowers and then lock yourself in an office somewhere...
ReplyDeleteOh, but Cold--thinking your husband's writing is mad (or he's gone mad)? That's a total turn on! ;)
ReplyDeleteDude: As someone dealing with the same situation, remember King's observation: Life isn't a support system for art. It's the other way around [p. 101 in the Scribner 2010 'ruber cover' paperback edition].
ReplyDeleteFoxK: Yes, that's true >:)
ReplyDeleteLiz: Traveling is always a nice opportunity to get some writing done. I always try to get as much as possible out of each trip.
Jayne: Then I'll give her some stuff to read, regularly >;)
Mongo: That's a good point.
Somehow, I pictured you as a woman. I don't know why. (I've only read a couple of posts.) I'm probably secretly, subconciously a feminist, or at the very least, a sexist.
ReplyDeleteI write for relaxation, too, but it has gone a little too far. I'm on the third novel. I should probably try to see if maybe somebody actually likes what I wrote.
Good luck with yours.
Definitely a good book. For me it's that voice in my head that keeps telling me to shop, wash, clean, mow the lawn, etc. Sun's shining and we've run out of apples, so off I go.
ReplyDelete