Business as Usual
First, a really lovely review for Pyramid of Souls.
Second . . . I showered today. I know. News flash. My shoulder and arm look like I went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Black and blue doesn't even describe it. I really look like I was horribly beat up. But I'm showered. I did my hair. I slapped on some lipstick. I dressed in black pants and a loose-fitting black top (and my sling is black!!!). I came downstairs. I made coffee. All of this signaled to my very hurting body/arm that "It's business as usual, so suck it up."
I find that though I joke about working in my pjs, and I AM uber-casual, that some sort of "getting ready for work" seems to put me in a working mindset. I have my ritual. Coffee and blog. Getting dressed in some sort of attire. Putting on makeup even if I will see no one except my cat and Dynamo Boy. Sitting at my keyboard. Looking over my Day Planner.
I've always said, with four kids and a chaotic life, my writing schedule is when life permits it. But in reality, I signal that it's Business As Usual by my routines.
How about you?
19 comments:
I'm having to write by hand to escape facebook, internet, and blogs...as you can see my discipline is lacking. I will be good, I will focus on upping the conflict...wait did the cat just throw up all over my bed?
Glad you're up & about.
Yes, I have my rituals. One of the things I've sort of marveled about over almost 6 years of full-time freelancing is how I just do it. I don't dither around and watch Good Morning, America, I just go down to my office and get started. (Granted, once there, I can dither a lot).
So... once I drop Sean off at school, I return, take the dog for a walk or run, take a shower, pour myself some Diet Coke, and hit the office. Check email and Facebook. Then I have a column I write 2X a week that I need to do something on EVERY DAY in preparation, so I do that. Doesn't take long. Then I typically blog. Then I move on to the next thing on my to-do list.
Richmond:
I think so fast that writing by hand frustrates me--I am a much faster typist. But yeah, I get distracted!!!
Mark:
That sounds very much like me. It's an aspect of freelance writing I think I take for granted--that you have to have self-discipline.
My housekeeper yelled at me yesterday for being out of bed. But I said, "If I don't work, I don't get paid." Simple realities mean I just do it.
Doesn't returning to a small bit of normal just make your day? And I'm happy to hear you're accomplishing life one slice at a time.
Routines, I have a few. Make coffee, read paper, do the Sudoku puzzle (Tue. and Wed. only - more difficult). After that I might work-out, but that depends on my mood. But I always shower, put on a full face, etc. And lately (since May 4), I've written every day (soon to become a routine).
It's all good! :-)
Awesome review!
My routine varies greatly depending on whether or not I'm working at the hospital. I wish I could just get up and write every day.
Hey, check out the latest version of my flap jacket copy. I tried to incorporate some of Colt's personality, as you suggested.
I'm so glad to see you recovering! It sounds like you are doing well.
This summer, my writing will be haphazard, depending on the child and her various camp schedules. BUT I challenged myself to write a MG novel during May and I finished it on the last day of school--yesterday. Now, I have two MG novels to edit, write queries and synopses over the summer.
Kath:
Love your routine. Except Soduko. I cannot do them to save my life. :-)
Jude:
Just read the revision. BRAVO!!!
magolla:
Have some chocolate to celebrate reaching your goals. Good for you!!!
I don't have to dress to get in the mindset to work (in fact, I work better in pjs) but I do have to putter and wake up a bit. So I guess that's my ritual.
Glad you're up and about.
Hi Starbucks:
I often don't dress . . . but I find if I do just get up and get going, I seem to have a more productive day.
I really admire you. I'm about ready to get down to work myself. I used to write first thing in the morning. Now I tend to write in the afternoon and later in the evening.
Edie:
I write where I can fit it into my life. Summer will likely look different than this model.
I'm glad you moving toward recovery! A shower is always a wonderful accomplishment, isn't it? :)
I am such a creature of habit that when my daughter started full-day kindergarten (10 years ago) I got nothing accomplished for 3 weeks because the schedule I knew was blown to bits.
When my routine is interrupted, I have a lot of trouble getting back to it. I almost have to to make an appointment with myself to start back at the beginning. Like diets that always have to start on a Monday, I gear up -- or wind down -- toward being back on track.
I have been off my schedule for a while and now I'm on the curb ready to step into summer when I need a new routine. As usual, this post comes at the perfect time because I need to revamp my day to accommodate the summer hours and events. Otherwise, the end of August will come and I'll not have written or edited or revised a word.
Amy:
Summer is a weird time for me. I get more rest, but the house is more chaotic. It's hit or miss on productivity.
I don't know how you're managing to type with one hand. I shattered my hand in karate one year, requiring plastic surgery and wires, and a six month rehab...
I managed my assignments, and not one word more.
Well done, E!
Richard:
If I don't lift or stretch my arm, it's not so bad. By the end of the day, though, I am toast.
Glad you are back up and running!
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