Wasting time — or, this is Process

May 22, 2008 | Writing | 2 comments

What's your writing routine? Do you write early or late? Most creative between the hours of 10 & 2, but only if you've had a cup of coffee, a candy bar, and got out of bed on the left side instead of the right?

I'm on a deadline. Or a couple of deadlines, to be truthful. Self-imposed, certainly. And I have been hitting the keyboard regularly, staying for hours, writing more than I ever thought I could do in one day — and yet, there are still a few things I end up doing that I can't seem to stop.

I get up around 7 usually, make coffee and come upstairs to my office. I check email. I read and comment on blogs. When Idol is going on, I check the Idol recaps. And then that thing known as procrastination sets in. My document is open, waiting for me on another screen. All I have to do is click over, read a few paragraphs, and start work.

But I keep finding things to do. I don't want to click over. I don't want to work. I can waste an hour (after the hour of email and blogs) avoiding work. Why?

Darn if I know, but it happens all the time. Once I get brave enough to face my manuscript, I'm off to the races. But it's the getting brave part I have trouble with. This seems to be a nearly non-negotiable part of my routine. I can force myself to click over. But then I stare. And stare. The brain won't function.

I think, maybe, I need that distraction of other stuff while my mind readies itself. Even when I start work, I'll often click back to the Internet side when I finish a scene. I'm thinking about how to start the next scene. Sometimes, a hot shower is in order. Sometimes, like yesterday, I'll vacuum or start laundry (no choice — inlaws arrived last night).

It sounds an awful lot like making excuses, doesn't it? But it seems to work for me. Yeah, there was a time when I kept up the blog-hopping and surfing all day because I was S-T-U-C-K. I can't do that anymore. People are waiting on me to get stuff to them. And I will not fail because I couldn't face myself if I did. I certainly couldn't face my hubby.

Unfortunately, I think a certain amount of time-wasting is part of my process. I just need an hour or so to play before I work, I guess. What about you? Do you waste time? Or are you a machine who works set hours and never deviates?

TV stuff

May 20, 2008 | Fun, Television, Video | 6 comments

Can you believe this is the last week of Idol? Tonight, the Davids face off. I already know which David I want to win. I've bought every last one of his Idol songs, and I love to listen to them. David Cook is the one for me. But, David Archuleta is likely to win because of the pre-teen/teen texting fan base who are in love with High School Musical and think he's tres cute. *sigh* So popularity and some talent will probably beat the mega-talent. Not that I'm all that worried for David Cook. He'll do fine, and I'll buy his first post-Idol CD when it comes out. I will not buy Archie's, however.

In other most rotten news, CBS canceled Moonlight. What the hell are they thinking??? Paranormal romance is one of the hottest genres going, and Moonlight was drawing respectable numbers, especially as the plot thickened. The first few episodes were cliche, true, but they seem to have found their stride now. And the writers' strike couldn't have helped. Viewers faded away in disgust. They'd have probably been back next season.

My favorite show, Life, will be back on NBC this fall. This is a cop drama I loved. The dialogue is good, and the guy who plays Charlie is fun to watch in action. This is a revenge/justice show with money, Zen sayings, and a lot of fruit. Great stuff.

My other show is ABC's Pushing Daisies. It'll be back too, thankfully. I don't know how far they can take this one, but I'm in it to see. Cracks me up every week.

In case you've been on, oh Mars or something, the last few months, here's one of David Cook's best live performances. He's amazing. Wait for the high note….

What shows are you looking forward to? Did they cancel any of your favs? What about Idol? Who do you want to win?

Weekend fun

May 19, 2008 | Business, Fun, Writing | 7 comments

OMG, it was so fun! This was my first Heart of Dixie luncheon, though it was actually the 11th annual occurrence of it. Our guest speaker was the fabulous and dynamic (and truly one of my favorite authors) Roxanne St. Claire. Not only is she gorgeous, but she's nice, funny, and just a great person to be around. After two dinners, two parties, and lots of chatting with Rocki, I know she's the kind of person I really admire and enjoy hanging out with.

But she wasn't the only fabulous person at the HOD luncheon! In fact, I couldn't name them all without having a post a mile long, but I sat with the amazing Debra Webb during lunch. Deb's table was full of readers and we had a great time talking about romance. I learned so much from these ladies this weekend, and came away inspired to write my tail off (oh, if only it were that easy — talk about killing two birds with one stone!).

The one funny thing that happened to me this weekend, however, was on Friday when I hauled my luggage up to the 9th floor and to the opposite end of the hotel from the elevators to join my roomies. I knocked. No one answered. I knocked again. The girl next door (and I do mean girl) answered her door. I called one of my roomies (who, it turns out, left her phone in her car). I didn't have everyone's cell numbers, so I called the only other person whose number I had — she was at the restaurant with Rocki, waiting for the rest of us to arrive. Somehow, I managed to make it to the room of yet another person I knew (on the 4th floor) who hadn't left yet and who let me stow my luggage. Whew! Then it was off to dinner, and back for the party.

I didn't get home until midnight Saturday. Yes, midnight. And then I couldn't sleep right away, so had to check email and flip through a magazine. At 1:30, I woke up my sick and therefore grouchy husband for his NyQuil dose, then went to bed and ended up sleeping until 9:30 Sunday. Ahhhh.

How was your weekend? Any writing inspiration? Any fun or embarrassing hotel stories in your past? (At least I didn't get locked out in my underwear…)