tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post4880039674917490478..comments2024-03-29T09:16:30.082-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: The Holiday Writing VoidJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-69673652756351893092012-01-10T19:53:49.262-05:002012-01-10T19:53:49.262-05:00I live with perpetual guilt; when I'm not writ...I live with perpetual guilt; when I'm not writing, guilt over not writing. When I'm totally immersed in writing, then guilt over neglecting family, friends and my patient, or not so patient dog. Guilt over all the jobs neglected when I am writing. And most of all, guilt when I answer the phone with a frustrated voice, and it's my youngest from the other side of the country, who calls numerous times a day because she needs a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. She's alone, out of work because of a disability, and in pain after several operations and a nerve block that haven't worked so far. Guilt because she feels guilty calling me so often when she knows I want to be writing. <br /><br />So sometimes, I guess, we have to put things into perspective. Yes, I get frustrated over all the interruptions that keep me from writing when I so want to be left alone, but then I realize I am lucky to have family and friends, who care about me or consider me a safe and sympathetic ear willing to listen to their concerns. It could always be worse.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-90949149851656008912012-01-09T15:06:55.586-05:002012-01-09T15:06:55.586-05:00Everything was crammed into two days! You had it w...Everything was crammed into two days! You had it worse than I did. But, of course, you also have a book contract! <br /><br />Thanks for the sentiments. When you stay home and write, sometimes "loved" ones don't think that of what we do as work. If only they knew!E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-69549212158320649862012-01-09T14:28:23.046-05:002012-01-09T14:28:23.046-05:00Normally, I'm in your situation of putting off...Normally, I'm in your situation of putting off everything writing-related when my kids come to town for the holidays, E.B. This year, though, I was frantically trying to finish the draft of my next book so I could revise it in January and send to my agent before the end of the month. I worked right up to midnight on Dec. 22 when my youngest arrived from college (at 4 pm!) to finish. Nothing was done for the holidays.<br /><br />I crammed gift buying and wrapping and food preparation for holiday dinners and get-togethers into the next two days while spending time with youngest to do it all. And I just let everything else go that I would usually do.<br /><br />That small end of the telescope vision of your work can help you see more easily what needs to change. I always reread and revise the last chapter or so to get me back into the rhythm of the work.<br /><br />Even if it played hobb with your writing, I hope you all had wonderful holiday experiences with family and friends!<br /><br />My Captcha is "momess." Feels like an editorial comment on my house right now.Linda Rodriguezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11913741596693442469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-87892172635269913852012-01-09T11:31:27.310-05:002012-01-09T11:31:27.310-05:00Yeah, Warren--war, mayhem, violence, suicide and s...Yeah, Warren--war, mayhem, violence, suicide and sibling rivalry, all fodder for fiction (LOL). <br /><br />I wish that I had your separate reality, Pauline. I never had time to think about my stories over the holidays, except as objects that I couldn't impact.<br /><br />There is a time and place for everything. It's just that getting back into the POV is so hard. <br /><br />But then, my daughter doesn't go back to school until next week. I'm also judging the Derringer's this year so--my time still isn't my own.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-45908715236871075082012-01-09T11:04:11.382-05:002012-01-09T11:04:11.382-05:00Writing and having friends and family are in const...Writing and having friends and family are in constant conflict. During the holidays, friends and family win. At least it's a chance to see something that may end up later in a story.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-63840581228148911502012-01-09T09:50:01.087-05:002012-01-09T09:50:01.087-05:00I find I can't fight the holidays but I still ...I find I can't fight the holidays but I still think about the stories I'm working on. In family groups I hope no one notices when my mind drifts away from the conversation. As soon as I can, I find a piece of paper and scribble down the idea that just came to me. <br /><br />Looking throught a telescope makes me see the work still to do but it also shows me where changes are needed.Pauline Alldredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00847008019331163905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-35597023491975463942012-01-09T09:08:38.554-05:002012-01-09T09:08:38.554-05:00I don't put much stock in astrological signs, ...I don't put much stock in astrological signs, but I have to admit that I'm a total Gemini. Split between my lives, split between the physical and cerebral, split by my priorities. Right now, I want to work on my script, but I also want to get a billion car chores finished. It never ends, Donnell. I also thought up a short story plot that I want to work on, but I know I have to finish this first draft. Aghhh...E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-72309617093953838482012-01-09T09:04:04.512-05:002012-01-09T09:04:04.512-05:00You had real incentive, Ricky. If I were at the st...You had real incentive, Ricky. If I were at the stage of production where you were this Christmas, I would have told my family to form a line after getting the pre-press galley proofs ready! Congratulations, even if it did interfere with Christmas. A lot of work, but what a great present. Good luck with it.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-82205354348433120132012-01-09T08:25:46.978-05:002012-01-09T08:25:46.978-05:00Oh, EB, my kindred spirit . The holidays are hard...Oh, EB, my kindred spirit . The holidays are hard for writers! I had company out the wazoo, and my husband was off work and sooooo happy. But I, on deadline, felt a bit stressed. The good news is on January 1, I took the tree down and organized, and last week sat down, and like you, took stock of what I was doing. The result, I think I'm on the right track to this manuscript.<br /><br />Wouldn't it be great to be able to put our muses on the shelf and say "Stay," I'll be back for you on XX and get into the holidays like everyone else.<br /><br />It was so great to see my family, my kids and more, but sometimes I feel like I live two lives! Great post.Donnell Ann Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07943037206984648849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-59807865292576682922012-01-09T08:13:01.695-05:002012-01-09T08:13:01.695-05:00Distractions, distractions, distractions. I just g...Distractions, distractions, distractions. I just give in to the holidays and roll with it. I was forced into getting pre-press galley proofs copy editing the week before Christmas. The nice thing though was that my wife jumped in a gave me a hand.Ricky Bushhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15861574330175082978noreply@blogger.com