Snipperty-snickerty-snarkerty-snap
I’m finally getting into my writing rhythm of four hours a day that I promised myself I would aspire to this year. I break it up into 30 minute bite-sized bits by setting a timer to go off every half hour so I can stand up, stretch my arthriticals, ablute, eat, do chores, (take pics of Coco the community cat) that sort of thing.
The universe I created for my latest novel morphed into a story gobbling creature that’s absorbed several other story concepts. I’m not complaining. In fact it’s rather astounding how they all slipped into the established framework. I now have a timeline that extends into hundreds, if not thousands of years. Go big or go home, I say! … *gulp*
This is a good thing. What’s not so good is that I’m so immersed in my wordy worlds, re-entry to this mortal coil is … let’s just call it, an interesting exercise.
When the timer goes off, it’s usually just at the moment I’m typing faster than the speed of light in the throes of decadent inspiration … Snarl – the lip curling kind.
I stomp off and do whatever it is that I planned to do and then sigh dramatically as I wait for the kettle to boil for a cup of tea.
That’s not the really interesting part though. I know most writers experience variations on this theme, but what happens when it’s time to sit back down at the keyboard again is what causes me to, eventually, laugh at myself.
My procrastinating self really resents having its procrastinations interrupted by this horrible work ethic it’s certain I’ve picked up from some den of scum and villainy, and I get snarly.
I believe this is the definition of a no-win situation!
Now, for some Coco pics …
No
Nope
Wow, four hours of writing time a day. Impressive. Keep on writing. You seem to be on a roll.
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Gotta do something when it rains all the time! 🙂
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How can you feel snarly with that Coco cat sleeping all over your work?
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Hi there 🙂 … She is gorgeous, isn’t she? .. she keeps well out of my way when I’m working, and/or snarly-ing. (smart cat) I think not looking at the camera was just her way of messing with my head! 😀
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Perfectly stated! My procrastination self has been snarly lately because I’ve been practicing my work ethic a little bit more. I’ve been thinking about putting on the timer, too. Not just to keep my head down but also to signal the crew to not bother me when it’s on, but I don’t how the would take it.
Coy Coco is lovely. A purrrrrfect companion, I bet.
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She’s actually a very low maintenance cat. She comes in from her daily rounds, sometimes smelling of perfume and/or cigarette smoke … we have big purrable hugs for 5-10 minutes, then she curls up on her favourite chair with her favourite blanky and sleeps for a couple of hours. We might have a bit of a play when she wakes up, or she’ll sit in the window (where I took the pics) and contemplate her Empire, then she heads out to work her magic elsewhere.
It takes a bit of time to train the ‘crew, but it’s worth it 😀
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I love how your post starts off about your dedication to writing and ends with hilarious/adorable Coco pics.
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She has the best purrrrrrrrrs too. 😀
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How organised! I need to take a leaf out of your book. At the moment I’m struggling to find time to write, so the half an hour idea sounds quite appealing! Stretching the limbs too – no excuses I could do a touch of tai chi!
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30 minute blocks force me to focus right down into the story, which is a good thing – I could stare out the window for hours otherwise. Hope it works for you.
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I’m impressed by your writing schedule. It figures that the timer goes off at the wrong time (just like how the alarm goes off right when a dream is just getting good.) I had to laugh at the cat pics… they can certainly be defiant creatures 🙂
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One always knows where one stands with them, that’s for sure! 😀
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Hee, I like your description of your procrastinating self. *g*
Congrats on the new schedule — that’s great news!
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Schedule is a work in progress, but I’m getting there! 😀
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