My muse's evil twin
If (no, make that when) you wake up at 3:30 in the morning, heart beating a little faster than normal, and your first thought is "My book sucks!" don't believe it. Well, at the very least don't believe it until you've had a chance to analyze the situation in the calm, rational light of day. For me, 3:30 in the morning is neither calm nor rational. I think that must be the time when I'm waking up from a nightmare, or at least a really trippy dream. Apparently, my muse's evil twin has determined that to be the perfect time for a visit.
Okay, on further reflection, the way I ended Chapter 4 last night wasn't what was needed. It was too much too soon. This particular event (though incredibly cool) doesn't need to happen until the next book, and then it should take place more toward the middle. So instead of starting Chapter 5 today, I need to do some brainstorming to determine how Chapter 4 should end, which directly affects how Chapter 5 begins.
In previous books, I'd be freaking out right about now. But I'm amazingly calm. I think this is due in part to this being my fourth book. I'm learning (and reluctantly accepting) how my writing brain works. It's very disorganized, whereas the rest of me is danged near OCD. ; ) And since I understand from quite a few of my author buddies that they're exactly the same way, it's become one less thing to wake me up worrying at 3:30 in the morning. I also know from my past experience that everything will be fine and so will the book. If I tense up, the ideas won't come, so I make an effort to stay calm, accept the slight disruption to my writing schedule, because it's happened for a reason.
Today, I'll even be taking a some time away from not only the computer, but the house. The Triangle Greyhound Society, of which Derek & I (and the hounds) are members, has a monthly "meet & greet" at a local mall. The mall management is kind enough to let us bring our dogs, and we meet at the center court. It serves the dual purpose of raising awareness for the adoption of retired racing greyhounds, and gives our highly social hounds a chance to socialize (aka nuzzle faces & sniff butts). During their careers, they were in racing kennels full of other greyhounds. Our Andy especially loves going to meet and greets. Last time he almost pulled me down the hardwood floor hall of the mall to get to his buddies. (He's a very strong boy).
When I get back home, I'll do some brainstorming, read a little, and just let my writing brain off leash (so to speak) to play. And I'm sure I'll be back on writing track by this evening.
Have a great weekend!
Lisa
Okay, on further reflection, the way I ended Chapter 4 last night wasn't what was needed. It was too much too soon. This particular event (though incredibly cool) doesn't need to happen until the next book, and then it should take place more toward the middle. So instead of starting Chapter 5 today, I need to do some brainstorming to determine how Chapter 4 should end, which directly affects how Chapter 5 begins.
In previous books, I'd be freaking out right about now. But I'm amazingly calm. I think this is due in part to this being my fourth book. I'm learning (and reluctantly accepting) how my writing brain works. It's very disorganized, whereas the rest of me is danged near OCD. ; ) And since I understand from quite a few of my author buddies that they're exactly the same way, it's become one less thing to wake me up worrying at 3:30 in the morning. I also know from my past experience that everything will be fine and so will the book. If I tense up, the ideas won't come, so I make an effort to stay calm, accept the slight disruption to my writing schedule, because it's happened for a reason.
Today, I'll even be taking a some time away from not only the computer, but the house. The Triangle Greyhound Society, of which Derek & I (and the hounds) are members, has a monthly "meet & greet" at a local mall. The mall management is kind enough to let us bring our dogs, and we meet at the center court. It serves the dual purpose of raising awareness for the adoption of retired racing greyhounds, and gives our highly social hounds a chance to socialize (aka nuzzle faces & sniff butts). During their careers, they were in racing kennels full of other greyhounds. Our Andy especially loves going to meet and greets. Last time he almost pulled me down the hardwood floor hall of the mall to get to his buddies. (He's a very strong boy).
When I get back home, I'll do some brainstorming, read a little, and just let my writing brain off leash (so to speak) to play. And I'm sure I'll be back on writing track by this evening.
Have a great weekend!
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
8:39 AM
5 Comments:
:) At least you know what's happening in book 5 though!
My stepdad adores greyhounds, and (luckily) my mother puts her foot down at adopting retired ones. But he'd support the society.
As for writing - none for me this weekend, but continuing sorting out items at my parents house, and then relaxing, takes precedence. Moving out of lodgings always takes longer than expected (yet somehow I forget that). At least my muse can be occupied as I sort out clothes for charity and junk for recycling.
Oh, I hate that three a.m. wake up call from my brain. I get that a lot these days. :)
I'm such a sucker for greyhounds. Even though I know I shouldn't, there's a female who is SO cute available for adoption. But I don't know if I can handle THREE at the same time. : ) She's from the same breeder, though, as my beloved Snowy.
Here's a link:
http://www.greyhoundsonly.com/Adopt/oreck.htm
I got another one of those rude wake-up calls last night - grrrr.
I looked at Miss Oreck; she's beautiful! And she looks like my Gracie. : ) Derek & I have decided that our next house will have a much bigger yard, so we could have three if we wanted to.
We do have a fenced in yard, so there is that. I don't know. She's in foster, so the foster dad is going to call me tonight and we're going to talk. Egad. Three...
Oooo, talking to the foster dad is dangerous. ; ) He'll tell you all the simply adorable things she does. Of course, your two greys will tell you if they want a little sister during the "trial weekend." Keep me posted, hon.
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