A lesson from Anne Hathaway

Writing this summer has been challenging for me. I take that back. Besides the normal freelancing I do, since I submitted my manuscript for book #2 in the Madi series on July 5th, writing has been virtually non-existent for me. Book #3 will be due in about 8 months. Yikes. As I was mulling this over, I had an epiphany. Wanna hear it?

My book won't write itself.

Deep, I know.

Recently, I saw a reporter interviewing Anne Hathaway on some entertainment TV show. Apparently, Anne had just lost about 15 pounds for a movie role. I know, right? The girl doesn't have an extra 15 pounds to lose. But that's not my point.

The reporter asked this question: "Wasn't it hard to be on such a strict diet?"

Anne's reply sticks with me:

"It doesn't matter how hard it was. It's what was required."

Wow. Talk about a great answer. Rather than focus on the difficulty of sticking to such a regimented diet, and how she missed out on the fattening foods she loves, poor me...wah...wah...wah... Anne simply bucked up and did what she had to do. Okay, so she had a (few) million reasons to stick to that diet. I'm thinking if I was making millions of dollars on a book, I'd be more inclined to sit my buns in a chair and do what's required, too.

But that's beside the point.

The point is, just as acting is Anne's passion, writing is mine. And if I want to see another book on the shelf, then it doesn't matter how hard it is. I need to do what's required to make it happen. Even if it means getting up early. Even if it means giving up something I love (*cough--Solitaire Blitz--cough*). Even if it means keeping my butt glued to my chair until my daily word-count goal is reached.

Of course, adopting that attitude is easier said than done. It begins (and ends, really) in the mind. It's taking authority over my feelings when I don't "feel" like writing. It's telling myself (again and again, if necessary) during the difficult...boring...frustrating...moments, that "this too shall pass." It's constantly reminding myself that the fruits of my labor will all be worth it in the end. Even though my "fruits" will be grapes, compared to Anne's watermelons.

Stop chuckling. You know what I mean.

Question for you: Is discipline something you struggle with? Any tips or recent epiphanies you'd like to share?

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." -  
Hebrews 12:11

Falling back into Writing

OK, no more slacking. You've taken enough time off...now it's time to get busy. Don't wanna hear those lame excuses about what a perfect pool day it is or that you're taking the kids to the movies or it's just too stinkin' hot and you've got no energy left to write. Blah, blah, blah. It's not gonna work anymore. Renew your mind, focus, and get to work. Got it? That book is not going to write itself, you know.

No, I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to myself. Although, maybe you need a little pep talk, too. I love summer, but during the months of June, July, and August, calling myself a writer would be, well, lying. I'm sorry, but adding a measly 1,000 words to my novel over the course of 3 months does not a writer make.

Just as plumbers must plumb, and nurses must nurse, and salesmen must sell, writers must write. Like every day. OK, a brief vacation is in order, particularly during the beautiful summer months, but I've been on what you could call a three-month leave. Only mine has not been a medical leave, it's been a mental leave.

The good news is that the time has come. In one week, the kids go back to school and I go back to work. Fall is my most creative and productive season and I am truly looking forward to creating and producing.

But that's next week. For now, if you'll excuse me, it's going to be sunny and 90 today. The pool is calling my name.

So what's your most productive season of writing? Do you struggle to make time to write during the summer months?

Office Dreams and Recliner Reality

I used to have an office. Yes, I said "used to." My former office has now been dubbed as "my daughter's bedroom," the white walls now covered with lime green and turquoise. My desk, file cabinets, papers, and books have been moved to my daughter's previous bedroom, which was in the basement (do you blame her for wanting to trade?).

The problem is, I don't like the basement, either. Yes, it's completely finished, with nice carpet, drywalled everything, and even a bathroom with a jacuzzi tub. But besides the spiders and other creepy-crawlies that lurk down there, I love being upstairs where it's nice and bright, not to mention closer to the fridge.

To be honest, I don't really need an office. Most of the time, you'll find me in my favorite living room recliner, laptop...well, on my lap (see above photo). My work doesn't necessarily require a desk and I like it that way, although the piles of books and "stuff" surrounding my chair isn't all that attractive. But my chair is comfortable and is especially nice in the evening when I can multi-task by working and watching America's Got Talent at the same time.

However, lately I've really been fantasizing about having an office again. I dream of a nice corner desk and a couple of tall bookcases jammed with books, both fiction and writing-related, all within arms-reach. A window or two to provide daylight and a good view would be perfect. I'm thinking an office would make me more productive, too. There's something about sitting at a desk that inspires me to work. Sitting in my recliner for some reason tends to inspire my appetite more than my productivity (see my butt for proof). And since my discipline and productivity could use a good kick in the pants, an office might be just the key.

But even though I am itching for an office, I will not set up shop in my basement, as I'd be too distracted scanning the walls, floors and ceiling for bugs to get much done. For now, I will plop in my chair every morning (and afternoon and evening) and work from there. Not ideal, but necessary for now.

Sigh...

What about you? Where do you love to work?