I thought about this on Sunday afternoon when I sat down to watch Diamondbacks baseball. I love our Arizona baseball team. Yet...there I sat composing a post for a blog. FDW sat in the recliner next to me, and I hoped I'd get the post out of my head and on the page before he caught me. I know this is not just a Brenda thing...it's a writer thing. We don't take full days off our craft...we'd feel guilty if we did. So, we rarely take a complete day off. Writers' Life.
And whether a writer is a weekend warrior or full time, it's a rare author who goes on vacation without a phone and/or her laptop. I've been known to sneak into another room when FDW isn't paying attention to check my emails.
There's one thing he can't call me on and that's writing in my head. Most of my writing is done without a computer in front of me. Actually, I've been caught in cerebral writing mode a few times. "You're thinking about your book, aren't you?" Did the faraway look in my eyes give me away, or that I didn't respond to anything he said in the last twenty minutes?
The voices in my head don't know Sunday from Wednesday. How can I explain my inability to shut them down? Then there's promotion. Yes, I've known for months that the next book would eventually get released, but there were edits and those voices. And I didn't have everything I needed to approach promotion in a meaningful way. So, when the email comes with the release date for the next book, as it did last week, there is a mountain of work to do. Because until you get that date, the ISBN number, and a book that has been edited to death, you can't do much of what has to be done.
But before you think this all sounds like no fun, there are benefits. The biggest thing is flexibility. I can take my office to the chair in front of the TV and watch the boys of summer while I work. I can work a long day and get ahead of the game so I can go play with my granddaughter tomorrow. And the only one who's keeping track of my "to-do" tasks is me. I can cheat today and make up for it tomorrow.
The Worldwide Release date is coming up this summer for the fifth book in my Love and Murder Series. Look for The Deep Well of Love and Murder on June 18.
12 comments:
I write seven days a week. I never take time off. I do my promo chores every morning without fail. I couldn't imagine a vacation with no writing...or a vacation, period, for that matter. I can't seem to slow down. But, I don't feel guilty about it. I feel like I'm on a mission, and I won't reach my goal unless I'm constantly working toward it. It's a good thing I actually enjoy the writing part! We all do what we're comfortable with, Brenda. If you want to write while you watch baseball, go for it. We're women...multitasking is what we do best! Oh, congrats on the release date!
Jannine, you are so right about women! When FDW tells me I don't know how to relax, I tell him if I'm doing what I want to do, then I am relaxed!
So the situation at our house isn't as different as the one at yours, huh, Brenda. I have to say that's a bit of a comfort. I would like to write every day, and I used to, but just can't seem to get back in that groove. I need to get more focused like Jannine. Maybe someday.... Good luck on the upcoming release. Right now I'm TRYING to write Book 3 while editing Book 2. Talk about multi-tasking!! (Do you hear 'I am woman, hear me roar...' playing in the background? LOL
It is difficult at time, Margo. Right now, I do something career related everyday. It's just not always writing like I'd like.
I always take my computer when we go on vacation. I check email while watching TV, respond to blog comments, etc. It doesn't bother Hubs. He's sitting in the recliner playing solitaire, etc. while watching TV. But, when we went on our cruise, I put the computer in the drawer when we got into our room and didn't take it out again until we left the ship. No internet service (unless I paid exorbitant fees) was a factor. I can't tell you how freeing that was. And relaxing. Best wishes on your new release, Brenda. You (and all the Roses) are always welcome to visit my blog. I love guests.
You need one of those breaks occasionally, Diane, to stay sane.
My husband, brother, and I are in Maui, drinking up the sunshine. ALL of us brought our computers, and as I write, we are all working on 'business' tasks...quiet here in the room. My brother writes non-fiction and his third book needs editing; my 9th book needs editing, and my husband is editing a document for our community rules and regulations (he's a board member). We've had fun all day (ate at Kula Bistro-upcountry), but now we work...so we can play again tomorrow. It's what we do!
I've got that "you're thinking about your book, aren't you" from people. Dang right I'm thinking about my book--those characters don't shut up! Good luck with the new one, Brenda.
Great discussion, Brenda. I get that "You're thinking about your book, aren't you?" even at my paycheck job. Unfortunately, once there, "my writing life" takes a very deep back seat to the present demands. At home though, I'm never far away from writing, whether actually writing, or email, or whatever. And yes, I never go anywhere overnight without my laptop!
I'm glad to hear the 5th book in the LOVE AND MURDER series is due out soon. I'm reading Book 4 now and really enjoying it!
Well now, Rolynn, a vacation with writer junkies...everyone is on the same page.
Oh so true, Andrea! They're very demanding.
Thanks, Andrea. BTW, if your day job is such that you can't write (unlike Jannine) and then suddenly there is time to write because business has drawn to a standstill...beware! That happened at my last job which went away when they shut down. LOL
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