crap-sucking-head-burning-fire

Don't feel much like writing today cuz of a nasty-ass headache. So thanks to Paul and his charismatic, inspirational ways, I did this instead:

"V"-log.

THE GOOD STUFF

I'm back in the saddle and, dang -- it shore feels good.

It's actually been six months since I've done any serious writing and guess what? I'm kind of rusty. One sentence will be clunky, the next will be brilliant, and then I'll have one that smell's like urine-soaked landfill. But it's all coming back to me. Ever so slowly.

And most importantly -- I'm loving it.

So you're probably wondering 'why'. What have I been doing for the last six months? Cuz it's not like I haven't been engaged in writerly pursuits: I've been editing, revising, reworking, and doing additional drafts of the book that's finally in submissions. (Plus a whole lot of critting.) So yeah, 'editing' and 'revising' and 'additional drafts' are all pretty much the same thing. But I've done so much of it that it feels like sixty two different steps.

And now I'm on to the good stuff.

First drafts are fun as hell, and if my history holds true, I'll probably gear up to about twenty-five thousand words a week. Once I get my sea legs back, of course. Usually when I write first drafts, I do it with feverish intensity -- I throw myself into it everyday -- neglecting things like blogs and email and children. I think about my story every waking moment, and I lean on it with all my weight, trying to squeeze out every last twist of plot juice. Next to Guinness, plot-juice is my favorite flavor. (Creative-honey is my third.)

As you can probably tell, this whole 'first-draft' part of the writing process makes me giddy. Inside my head. I feel like I've suddenly been given superpowers -- and in a way I have. When it comes to being a writer, only the actual 'writing' gives you that kind of high. Am I right?

And so, my writer/blogger friends, I'm gonna ask for your forgiveness in advance, cuz I have no plans of checking the blogs with any regularity. But I do still love and adore you guys, and I hope you'll still be here in six weeks when I put Solhades in a drawer.

(Zokutou question: do you have to paste the code every time you want to update your word cout? If so, I might not post my progress with any regularity either)

"Snowy Day" -- by the Veenie Babies

Brooke writes poetry. Paige is a performer. Together they came up with every aspect of this production.

I love these little girly-girls soooo much.

(Edited to share this: 20 Things to do with chopsticks when you're bored. An excellent commentary on the true nature of the Veenie Babies. Thank-you, Veeflower

So yeah, I'm back. But you know -- it was a nice two weeks. With all the extra time to work on my outline and play Skip-Bo with my kids, I'm not entirely sure how important this blog is to me anymore.

No, I'm not quitting.

Just... re-prioritizing.

No change.

I'm still computerless, but still checking in from time to time. The surgery schedule's been rough lately, so I've had only scant, tantalizing moments to buzz through my email and blogs. I've skimmed most of your posts, but it seems I never have enough to time to come up with a witty comment. It's left me feeling like there's this great party going on, but I can't participate because my mom grounded me for not taking out the garbage. It's really strange. Without constant internet access, I'm filled with this perpetual, disconnected, depressing emptiness. I'm exaggerating, of course, but I still think I might have some new, undefined form of emotional disorder.

Modern technology has it's dark side, no?

Anyway. The dead quiet at my house in the mornings has given me loads of time to outline my next book. I'm technically done with it, but while I'm still without a word processor, I have nothing to do but think up addtional tweaks and twists. Like creatures made of cold fire that chase you around and try to crawl down your throat. And floating masks that allow you to monitor your various assassination attempts. And ways to make food and tools using every part of a giant insect.

So I'm getting by, I suppose.

Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I hope to return the favor soon.