So you might have noticed that I've been really active on the blogs and Facebook and whatnot over the last week. You know what that means, right? I haven't been writing. You wanna know why?
*I haven't been smoking.*
Yeah. Attempt number four-hundred and four. I'm doing it without any kind of assistance, cuz that always seems to work best for me (at least when I'm really wanting to quit and not doing it out of guilt). At midnight tonight, it will be one week, with zero indiscretion.
I'm not posting to whine or complain about how hard it is or anything like that; I only bring it up because it has direct bearing on our special time together -- Quit for a week. Doing good. Playtime's over. Back to work on Dreamkin.
But never you fear, for I shall remain close by. Watching and reading. By cover of dark and shadows. My unwavering gaze sees all. . .
Side question: anybody ever work on a book they're just not all that thrilled about?
21 comments:
Congratulations on quiting smoking. I take care of a guy with emphysema; you do NOT what to go there.
I've finished short stories I didn't love before. Never had a book I didn't love, though.
Yep. My second book "Witness Tree". I think I'm the only person I've ever known who believed in ghosts when she set out to write a ghost story but came out of it not at all sure what she believes. There might be a danger in analyzing things too much.
I finished it, but only because it seemed like such a waste not to after I'd done all the footwork and plotting.
I liked exactly three scenes in it. The first time she met her love interest, the first time she saw the ghost (scared myself with that one), and the big wrap up with the love interest.
Oh! And congrats on quitting smoking. I've lost relatives to the associated diseases. What can we do to help? Cheer? Jeer? Nag? Send you pictures of blackened lungs? :)
I have a suggestion for the quitting thing: Regular blog updates on your progress or lack thereof. I did weekly updates when I set a weight loss goal for myself a few years back and it helped keep me on track. Something about the shame associated with public disclosure made me get off my duff. Lost thrity-five pounds in four months.
Good job on kicking the habit, Ray! And just think of how much extra money you'll have now for beer!
And, yes, I've worked on a book I'm not all that thrilled about - my current WIP! I'm knee deep in revisions, and I think I'm just sick of the whole story. I've OD'ed on it. But, I gotta finish it. I've put way too much work into it to just drop it.
Blackbird -- Yeah. Emphysema's on my 'list of diseases to try reasonably hard to avoid'. Thus the quitting.
Mary -- I understand. I'm continuing to work on it only because I don't think I could bear having another unfinished MS on my hard drive. Ultimately, I'm not convinced that it's a good enough reason to continue.
Paul -- An intriguing suggestion. Do you think people would care to read a daily update that basically only stated whether or not I smoked? Or would that be lame? More importantly, would it be lamer than my poetry?
Vivi -- You just gave me a terrific idea! Seriously, I have chills. Get this: there's this drink that I freaking lust after, called an 'Irish Car Bomb'. If you've never heard of it, it's made with a shot of Bailey's and a shot of Jameson whiskey dropped into a half-pint of Guinness. Sounds gross, I know, but it is a tasty and intoxicating drinking experience unlike any other. Long story short: I've never made them at home because the ingredients are too expensive.
But cumulatively, Bailey's and Jameson are cheaper than cigarettes.
Awesome, no?
It could be interesting to see who stops by to see your non-smoking progress... you never know who might be out there rooting for you to fail. There's always someone lurking around, prowling for failure, especially with blogs - just ask Colby!
And yes, I've worked on books that I didn't love... and I'm still working on them. Ish. They mostly just take up space on my hard drive. There's one that I took apart and tried to salvage, but it didn't get any better, which is too bad, because it was a cool idea.
I am not a smoker (never have been) but I am always chewing gum. So I can sort of relate to having to kick a habit I didn't have to begin with.
Sorry. It's kind of midnightish and I am in a silly mood.
Way to go and keep at it!
As for stories. Mm. I usually can tell from the get go if I am not going to fall in love with a story, and then I break it to them gently. But sometimes the story changes its outfit and woos me all over again, and I think, well maybe I will give it another chance...
Congrats on your smoke free week, V! Good for you (and your family!!). Did you smoke Virginia Slims? Kidding aside, My husband is a tobacco addict. He quit chewing tobacco a few months ago, but now smokes semi-regularly! (He quit smoking when we got married) He traded his vices. Arggghhh.
I think a weekly smoking update will keep you on task! Good luck!
Danielle -- Thanks for warning me about that Colby - I'll keep a sharp eye out.
Pink -- Your sympathy is very sweet, as is most everything about you.
Kelly -- That's funny. A vascular surgeon I work with once suggested (seriously) that I try chewing to help me quit smoking. Then Cindy almost took a drink from my spit bottle and my chewing career came crashing to an immediated halt.
What a good example you are showing for your kids and everyone in your life by quitting smoking. Go you! We're here for all the encouragement you need. :)
And, to answer your side question, that's about all I'm working on right now. I haven't hit my stride with another story yet, so I'm not thrilled about anything. Frustrating when you know your ideas are good and you can't bring them to life. :(
An author whose name I don't recall suggested that when you begin to lose interest in your current project, set it aside, and pick up where you left off with some other set-aside project. He claimed that while the idea is brilliant, it may need to develop and percolate subconciously for awhile before it can come to fruition. I suspect this is one of those things that works for some and not for others, but thought I would mention it. It may have been Bradbury, and you know he's my hero!
WAY TO GO, RAY!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK ON BOTH FRONTS. I ONCE TALKED TO MY DAD ABOUT QUITTING SMOKING -- HE TOLD ME HE QUITS EVERY NIGHT! AFTER HE HAD TO HAVE OXYGEN EVERY NIGHT (DUE TO HIS PANCREATIC CANCER CAUSED BY A LIFETIME OF SMOKING) I WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT. BUT SINCE HE'D LIGHT UP EVERY MORING (BEFORE COFFEE,EVEN) THAT RUSTIC REBEL IS NOW SIX FEET UNDER. I KNOW YOU'LL BEAT THIS HABIT AS YOU TRULY HAVE A DESIRE TO -- HE DID NOT.
I LIKE VEEFLOWER'S SUGGESTION. A LITTLE WHILE AGO, YOU WERE MENTIONING A NEW STORY YOU WANTED TO START, BUT AT THE TIME YOUR AGENT WAS SAYING TO WORK ON SOLHADES. MAYBE YOU COULD DO ONE OF THOSE FOR A WHILE.
I've taken a drink from a spit bottle too. UGH. Either way, kudos on the quitting and it's been nice to see you for a while too. :)
Yeah, I've done that. I decided to take a one month break, and when I came back to it, I was excited again. I would suggest that you try this, but you must also bear in mind that I live in my own little reality, and the laws of physics are a little weird here.
let me tell you about writing a book your not thrilled about..I'm so afraid of it happening to me, I just don't write :)
I'm proud of you bro..keep quitting..and don't forget to ask the big guy for help...that's how I quit.
You have nothing but support from the cyberfront. You have to admit that rocks. :)
My current WIP isn't thrilling anymore. I think it's time to set her aside and find something new to love.
-Mercedes
Have definitely worked on one where I lost my enthusiasm for it some of the way through. But I find if I step away a while I will eventually regain my enthuisiasm. And congrats on quitting--huge deal!
So glad you quit the sticks!! ;)
Uh, yeah.. Usually, because I want to cheat on the book with something else. :)
I want the updates you mentioned above! Imagining my disappointed head shakes if you start up again might help. Yes? No?
What I do know is that you love those kiddos and I bet you've said you do anything for them. Do this. Give up the cigarettes.
Good luck, V. I know how hard it is to give up "da smokes."
Tobacco growers are in mourning, don't you CARE about the economy? Well, just be sure to spend the money on renewable resources, and enjoy spending a longer time with your kids and vivacious wife!
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