Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Permission to write

So, I have an idea for a book. And I've toyed with it. Tried to write last November during NaNoMoWrite and just didn't have enough time or enough of the idea. That book failed completely.

But one of my characters keeps popping up in my head. So, I've been debating plotting her story but I keep thinking it's not good enough or interesting enough etc.

Last night I read something by Anna Quinden in her book "Being Perfect." She said "Once you've read Anna Karenina, Bleak House, The Sound and the Fury, To Kill A Mockingbird, and A Wrinkle in Time, you understand that there is really no reason to ever write another novel. Except that each writer brings to the table, if she will let herself, something that no one else in this history of time ever has. That is her own personality, her own voice....she may well be giving readers a new and wonderful gift. Giving it to herself, too."

So, I'm going to try again. But this time I'm going to try to outline something before November. Maybe if I have a path I can finally finish a story.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Loving my Kindle

I received a Kindle Fire as a birthday gift last year. And I've enjoyed using it. But it has really come in handy with library books. I finally figured out how to get them and I'm finally working my way through the waiting lists. Reading stuff I might not have found otherwise too. For instance Game of Thrones. Those books were too expensive for me right now but I'm able to read on the device.

But last night I had a revelation. I was reading what turned out to be a really short book. Really short. But I downloaded it from the library and returned it today.  No muss, no fuss and no gas wasted.

I think I'm going to be reading more than ever now.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Deadlines and Vacations


Yesterday I notified my freelance client that I'll be taking a few days this month to move my son back to college and to see some family members. Just a few days when I couldn't guarantee to check email or make edits to their draft site. We've been working on this project for two months but telling them I'd be gone for a few days has encouraged them to send all the materials for which I've been waiting (for weeks). Which means I can finish Phase I before my holiday. That makes me really happy. It should make the client happy too.

But I'm not sure why my absence for two days prompted this outpouring of response.

I guess I really shouldn't be surprised, after all in my whole career (Marketing, Writing, Editing and Web Content) I have consistently suffered from the Friday at 4pm curse.

So many work orders are generated Friday afternoon. It must the one day of the week with fewer meetings and so everyone goes back and cleans off their desks and sends the ideas around for new work. And just as I'm getting ready to log out for the weekend the emails start coming in. Most can wait til Monday, but it is still hard to leave work knowing there are needs to be met.

What day of the week generates the most work for you?

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