Staring out the office window at another dull and rainy day in the UK, I wonder what the characters of my novel would be doing right now. The phone rings with another demand, pulling me out of my daydreaming stupor. I should really be concentrating on the spreadsheet that needs updating and the budget that needs reviewing, not to mention the long list of urgent e-mails requiring my attention. But I’d rather be writing.
I make it home for five. It’s my night to start dinner. I’d rather be writing. My characters whisper to me, tugging at my sleeve for attention. I grab a pen and paper to write down an idea before I forget. The phone rings. It’s my mom calling from the states. A hiss comes from the stove; I tell her I need to go. The pot of pasta has boiled over. I turn the heat down and turn my attention back to cooking, idea forgotten.
The hubby comes down the stairs, he works from home. The in-laws have gone out for dinner and his sister is at work so it’s just the two of us for a change. Did I mention we’ve recently moved in with his parents? (another story for another day). We chat over pasta and salad, he clears the dishes, and I head upstairs to get changed into my PJ’s. (Yes, some of you are thinking it’s too early for PJ’s . I say, it’s never too early for PJ’s.) I’d rather be writing, but that pile of laundry is growing and I really should put in a load before I sit down at the computer since the washing machine is free. Five adults in one house make an empty washing machine a rare commodity.
Load of laundry sorted, computer on, fingers at the keyboard. I give my story, my characters my full attention. Silence. Silence? Seriously guys? You’ve been demanding my attention all day, I’m ready to give it to you and you give me nothing? I sigh, opening my e-mails. Click through a few Facebook messages, check my twitter account, read a few blogs on writing. Back to the blank page. I stare at the screen for another ten minutes and decide to reread what I’ve written the day before. Great! I see lots of edits that need to be made, sentences that need cutting, holes in the plot line, tightening, re-arranging, a few new ideas start coming to life and I start writing a new paragraph. The hubby appears at the bedroom door, grin on his face. The house is empty after all…would I rather be writing?
When would you rather be writing?
This post is fabulous!
When I’m at my day job, I would rather be writing, when I’m at home cleaning the house, I would rather be writing. It’s hard sometimes to find the time to write, and when I do the the muse often doesn’t cooperate, but that seems to be the life of a writer.
Thank you for posting this. It made me chuckle =) I also love the blog layout!
Funny post! My husband has that same sense of timing!
Website looks great!
I LOVED your post and can relate in so many ways. I have a household of 5 KIDS and 2 adults, plus I take care of other people’s children as my ‘job’. So, obviously I’m always busy. I’m constantly saying how I wish I had time to write. I foolishly thought that I’d have time to write in the summer because, hey, it’s the summer. Isn’t that the time you’re supposed to be able to relax and read/write at the poolside? My mother-in-law told me I was delusional and she was right. While I have found the time to edit my first novel some, my second is still stuck in the same scene it was in back in May…when I started it.
I also love the look of the blog and the only thing I would suggest is adding an option to follow you by email or something. I use blogger and they have a ‘follow’ button as well as an email subscription option. Not sure what wordpress has available but you should look into it. I’d gladly follow your blog.
Hi Everyone! Thank you for stopping by and commenting. @Courtney, it’s good to know that I’m not the only one who has a fickle muse 🙂 @Eddie men and their timing 😉 @ Samantha, you are a busy woman! I’m glad you enjoyed the post and thank you for the feedback. There is subscription button at the very bottom of the page for the rss feed (or at least I think that’s what that icon is) I admit it’s not in a very good place, trying to figure out how to move it to a better position. I still have a lot to learn 🙂 Thanks again!
Great first post! And so, so true. I have that all the time! When you finally get to spend time with your muse, she mysteriously goes AWOL.
I’ll be back (and I agree, with another comment up there, you need a subscribe button!)
Love the look of your shiny new blog, Heather! And really loved your post. Excepting for a few minor details this might have been myself I was reading about. Just can’t decide if it’s sad or funny the way we chase the day away wishing, hoping, praying for those all too elusive writing moments.
You’re off to a great start here. Looking forward to reading more. And yes, I do think I see that little button allll the wayyyyy down thereeeee 🙂
So good, Heather! I’m not a writer, but an avid reader so I look forward to the next post! xo
My characters and situations scream at me when I’m supposed to be doing something else, too. I’ve learned to keep a raw text file open on my system and when I’m near a keyboard, I’ll either make a quick note of the idea or I’ll email it to myself if I’m at work.
I’ve worked past a lot of plot jams that way.
Good luck!
Hi Heather! This was a great and immensely amusing read. I, too, can relate. As a soon-to-be-blogger myself, I find yours to be very encouraging!
@Traci, thanks for stopping by! I want this blog to be for readers too, not just writers. I’m glad you enjoyed it. @Anthony-I like the idea of keeping a raw text file open. @S Wesley-I’m glad you enjoyed it. Let me know when you get your blog up and running.
Heather great begining!- i am looking forward to following you along to the publishing. I am always tossing out ideas but ADD and life leave me little organization and and even less a plan of action to get things on paper. Lots of stories to tell and lessons to teach perhaps you will be my inspiration. Love the look of the place. roll on
This is such a great post and definitely a common struggle with writers. I’d always rather be writing! 🙂
@Kim-I find it hard to focus even without ADD. You rock! You’re an awesome teacher and I think your stories are worth telling. Don’t let your ideas go, you never know when you might get a plan of action together 🙂 Hope you’re doing well. Say hi to Kortnee for me. 🙂 @Mallory, thank you for stopping by. Glad you liked the post.