Procrastination

‘Write the book.’

This is actually a quote from Twilight-Boy, AKA Robert Pattinson. Thankfully, Liz is apparently over her Twilight obsession and isn’t Team-Anything at the moment, so she hasn’t been playing endless Twilight clips on YouTube. But I like the quote, and hear it in his British accent whenever I am …not writing the book.

I have been reading blogs about writing. About publishing. About agents and books and authors and marketing and web pages and….you get the idea. During this same period, I have only added about 4000 words to the book. Part of that is the rewriting of chapters 2 &3, trying to keep my lead character in character, since him having multiple personality disorder really isn’t part of the plot. Some of the reading has been helpful, allowing me to see that those chapters needed work. But more, I think it has been about delaying, stalling.

You see, if the book isn’t done I don’t have to show it to anyone. And I am terrified of letting anyone read what I’ve been writing. I’ve tried to explain this to Jeanne – to find a good analogy for what this fear feels like. The only thing I can come up with is running down the median – on I-4 – naked. During rush hour.

I need to write the damn book. Without that, all of the reading about agents and publishers and all that other dreck has just been wasted time.

So, I’ve decided. Next week I’m going to go to a local writer’s critique group meeting. I’ll see if it’s any easier to let total strangers read what I’ve written. If that doesn’t work out, there’s always I-4.

Book WC: 22,481

Hive WC: 1128

Labor Day in Oviedo

My neighbors like fireworks. I mean they REALLY like fireworks. We have lived here for more than ten years. I know this. But it is like shuttle landings – I know when they are going to happen. I set up meeting reminders for launches and landings. But the sonic booms that shake the entire house scare the shit out of me - Every. Single. Time. I should understand the way fireworks work around here by now. But apparently I don't.

 

It goes like this:

New Years – Can't see the car for the smoke. Check, check, check.

Valentine's Day – Check.

St Patrick's Day - Green ones. (Hey – wait a minute. They are from Puerto Rico….. St Patrick's???) Check.

Memorial Day – Ah, mostly white and the really loud ones. Check.

July 4^th – OMG, I didn't know those were LEGAL for home use…..Check, check, check, check…..

Hmmm – maybe there is a pattern here?

Today is Labor Day. I know this. I had to work, the stores closed early, I've known this ALL DAY. So, when loud squeals began to fill the air a little while ago did I open the front door and wave to my neighbors? Drag a chair out onto the driveway to watch the show? NO. I frantically searched the house, trying to find the cat who was stuck, in pain, or otherwise disturbed. Lily was on the bed beside me, ears rotating like little radar units, but OK. Kasey, Bu, Buddy – all fine. It took a while to find Wocket, but she was in the front window, also fine, watching….the neighbor's fireworks. Red ones. Check.