Tuesday, March 10, 2009

discombobulation

a few days ago i decided i needed to shift my priorities and realign my energy. the sudden shifts in pressure and temperature, the burgeoning signs of spring, my own internal restlessness, all seem to signal that something needs to change. the season is changing, and so, it seems should i. and as off-balance and as out of kilter as this makes me feel, i remind myself that the earth itself has to split for the new growth to come through.

to that end, i've decided to shift my Writing Time from later in the morning to first thing. i've reached a point in my novel where i have to Pay Attention, where the turn of a phrase equates to a flick of a paint brush. in order to add the depth and the layers, i have to be force myself to go slowly, to really See. it requires a plunge into the deeper layers of the characters, a deliberate differentiation between the characters and me.

i've done 14 pages so far and i realize that doesn't sound like much. but so far i'm pleased. if i go any faster, i miss the places to apply the shadows and the shadings, the twinging and the tweaking. it's the sort of work i can only do when i am at my absolute freshest.

and so i've changed my routine. i'm not blogging first thing, or answering my email or commenting or responding. i said i'd play in the march madness and sits is having a spring fling and i've hardly even visited the blogs i ususally keep up with. i've been a Very Bad Blogger. but i know i've been doing some really good writing.

you see, my Muse is a jealous mistress and once She gets Her hooks deep into me, She's hard to shake off. indulge my absence, my silence, gentle readers, i know i'll regain an equilibrium in another week or two...

and furthermore, the war will end. blessed be.

23 comments:

The Skinny B said...

We'll miss your visits but it is worth the sacrifice to know you are realizing your goals

imbeingheldhostage said...

Well I posted... I got my package already!! Thank you so much for sending it to me and for doing the swap. I hope you get mine soon.

Enjoy your writing time!

Dina said...

oh dear i understand how demanding those muses can be..write lady and don't feel guilty about us!

Grace said...

Very true, Annie. Sometimes we have to take a break and realign ourselves. I get so obssesed over things that I want be done right away, never thinking that something has to suffer, too. :(
I'm learning from your post, since this is my first 9-months here in US.

April said...

I don't know about the others, but 14 pages sounds like A LOT to me! Happy writing, Annie!

Divaeva said...

:) Happy writing!

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

Serve your Mistress, for she serves you well in return. Happy word smithing!

Amy said...

I was wondering where you were today. Now I know busy writing. That is great and 14 pages. Can't wait to read some of it if you post it. Happy Spring to you.
Good luck with your writing.

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

You have to give into your Muse, so enjoy!
I had to scale back my bloghopping also, thank goodness.

Lea said...

I'm first to comment?!?!It's so good to read you, I'm trying hard to catch up on my reading, picking yours and yaya's and lisa's first, all out of order but the three of you have been my strength when I didn't think I had any left. Thank you Annie, from the bottom of my heart!

Tomorrow I go to look at getting a new computer... I'll blog on that later. Hugs, Lea

MaricrisG said...

I'm more intrigued at what you are writing about. I hope you'll give us the sneak peek :)

lynette355 said...

I see Spirit, imbeingheldhostage and Dina are going to be reading Silvers Lure soon. Congrats!

Annie take the time where it fits best. This week has me all up and down with a young one here 24 hrs a day. And those night time hours are the hardest. But it is getting me back up at 4 am to blog. LOL

Kathy said...

Sometimes we just have to do what we have to do. I think we all understand, and look forward to the completed book!

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Write Away, Witchy! When the Muse comes to visit, it's best to give her your complete attention! We'll still be here!

Hugs!

Anonymous said...

You should definitely write.

I love the blogging (writing and reading) but it can take over one's life!

Enjoy your muse....

penguinsandladybugs said...

Finding balance is difficult, but you have your priorities! The blog and us....we'll be here when you are back....anxiously waiting!

Lily Wyte said...

If you're trying to sprout perhaps your muse is the Green Man. I think he's a bit of a cross dresser, so he will likely forgive you calling him "she'. (Weak though my jests may be I only seek to tickle thee)

Femin Susan said...

don't matter such ones....they do happen in life...
may god bless you

Debie Napoleon said...

While I miss hearing from you, it's important that you follow the muse.

We will still be here when you can visit!!

Kim said...

I'll miss you. Keep up the good work.

jmt said...

It sounds like you're getting to the MEAT of things, or at least starting to tendorize it. :) I am blog hopping and came across you when you commented somewhere along my path. I hope you enjoy the time switch...routine changes can be very beneficial.

Crazee Juls said...

Enjoy your writing..the rest of us can wait...;-)

Mindy said...

Oh boy do I understand!! I've been feeling confused and incoherent lately. Being sick certainly doesn't help... But I can't ride on that excuse for long! I haven't worked on my book for at least a month! I feel time slipping away from me...