Thursday, September 25, 2008

Writers Workshop Thursday: If I Could Take Tomorrow Off

If I could take tomorrow off work I'd start my book. No, not one of the ones on my nightstand, the book I want to write.
I think many bloggers can relate to this thought. For now, many of if have these snippets of time that we use to read other peoples blogs or develop of post of out own. Most of us (I am not saying all because I know there are those of you that are already accomplished writers although I am pretty sure none of you read my blog because of run on sentences like this one not to mention in parenthesis) have this ambition to write something more. Blogging becomes an addiction because we are all writers deep down inside and there is so much we want to say.

No, I am not going to tell you my idea. I have the characters in my head and I am just not sure where to start. Since I have the day off tomorrow though (hypothetically) I can start planning now. First, I need to get my home computer working again. Must swipe surge protector from P. Then I am going to need index cards, no a moleskein book...wait if I have a computer why am I writing things down. I guess I don't need to sharpen those pencils either.

No, I do need a legal pad and pencils, the kind you sharpen, not mechanical, that's cheating. Coffee! I need that too. I also need good music. Ok after that I should be set to start writing. First thing to do, make an outline. I think. That sounds like a good way to go. Wait...is that the dog in the garbage?

G-DOG!

Ok, where was I , oh outline. Yes, characters, setting, theme etc.. I need more coffee. Oh wait it's lunchtime, I should probably eat to keep the brain moving. Nothing in the house b/c I am trying to cut back on eating crap. I guess I need to go out. Whole Foods here I come.

$100 later, unpacking groceries and need to heat up food. Take upstairs to computer and check email, blog and Facebook. Make sure to tell friends I am not accessable because I am writing you know. Ok, look at outline and notice oil stain from olives. Oops. Moving along, characters, rename so no one thinks you mean THEM in the book. Maybe later you can just use the "Replace All" feature in Word to avoid that. Maybe write that down to remember. Ok, do I start writing now?

G-DOG STOP BARKING AT THE MAILMAN!

Oh jeez I need to start prepping dinner. Go to kitchen and pullout veggies to chop and chicken to marinate. Put all back in fridge. oooo! Wine! That would help me write. Pour glass go back upstairs and start writing about the...oh wait...I can't tell you that. I am out of wine, good thing I brought up the bottle.

G-DOG STOP BARKING AT P!

Go downstairs, greet husband at the door (not falling down stairs from wine consumption) and tell him how much writing I did today. Then make dinner and fall asleep from wine.

That is what I would do if I had the day off tomorrow.

28 comments:

Jen said...

Ok I am totally cracking up over here that was a great post. And that sounds like a good way to spend a day off.
I think writing a book would be cool but I don't even know where to begin...

tiarastantrums said...

you're funny - now quit stalling and get to writing!

Heather said...

LOL you are too funny! Get writing that book so we can all go out and buy it and you can be rich and stay at home and..uh..write more?!!

Mama Dawg said...

Ummm...that sounds like me on a daily basis for ANYTHING I have to do that's not survival.

That was great.

Jennifer P. said...

PERFECT :)! Everyone I know since the time I was 10 has told me I needed to write a book. I am a writer, but being a writer and being a NOVELIST are two different things. But since no one is dumping buckets of money on me as a blogger, I know I need to start writing too. I'm actaully back in school now trying to learn about all those index cards of which you spoke. And what happens? I get asked to teach a class.....on blogging!!! Ah well :)

I just loved this! Laughed clear to the end! And I hope you DO write that book one day!

Unknown said...

Last year when Wy went to my Sisters (Camp Carlson) for two weeks I wrote a book.
All but the last chapter.
It may not be to great, but it was fun and I LOVED doing it.
It's sitting in the top drawer of my dresser right now.
It makes me happy knowing it's there.

If you wrote a book I'd be so excited I'd read it twice : )

Capricorn said...

lol @ G-Dog get out of the garbage.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a writer AT ALL, but if i do have something I need to write, I just set down and type up every idea I think of and even sentences and words I like and then make sence of it all later. Good luck!

sj said...

hysterical! and so like me. just replace "whole foods" with "target."

but what were doing at my house? i find the g-dog shuts up if you ply him with bones and incessant shouting of one word: CRATE!

L.R. M-J said...

haaaaaaaaaaa....you know some things we can never change...we were the procrastination sisters in college...remember that pine tree counting project for bio lab? the semester long one we did in what..like a week? omg, that came out of the notecard file in my brain! But one does always seem to get it done...never say never. bisous.

Fifty K said...

Great post. Wishing you all the best on your book. You can do it.
Your yelling at the dogs sounds a lot like me at home yelling at the 5 cats.

Rhea said...

hehe I know what you mean about wanting to write, but when it comes down to it, it's so hard to get started.

Weeksie50 said...

lol-great post. You my friend, are to funny..

Suburbia said...

Sounds familiar. I think you'd call it avoidance tactics!

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

I am thinking that you need to read the book "If you give a mouse a cookie."

I don't consider myself a writer. I am a thinker. With limits. I so cannot imagine those writers who talk about their characters like they are real people. Or that their characters tell them which direction to go in. Or change the entire path of a novel.

Because I might possibly have an idea. I just don't know how to articulate it. Or bring it to its logical conclusion.

BS5 Blogger said...

We need another G Dog post, please! And tales of your unfolding literary aspirations.

Personally I enjoyed your parenthetical sentence.

Kristen Andrews said...

go girl write your book! I will read it.

Mom2FiveBratz said...

You should totally write a book.

J'Ollie Primitives said...

the last book I read ~ it was "Water For Elephants" had a nifty interveiw with the author in the back of the book. She said she literally had to shut herself in a closet to finish it because it was so much easier NOT to finish, know what I mean?

I so want to read your book!

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Can I come spend your day off with you? We can compare characters over wine!

Lex the mom said...

Doesn't it suck that we forsee our inability to get things done because there seems to be something that comes up EVERYTIME!

I hope that if you get that day off, you can seclude yourself from all those things, those everyday things that get in the way (like eating, shopping & mothering the dog). Wouldn't it be nice?

Great post & too funny! It made me crack up!

Anonymous said...

He, he!
You write like I do!

Anonymous said...

I completely identify! I have started several novels but haven't gotten past 2000 words in any of them. They have great potential, it's just a matter of writing them! I love writing, but it can be hard work.

Michelle said...

I love it. That's so about as productive as I would be. And the added touch of the wine is one I'm definitely going to have to remember!

Los said...

I'd like to write a script for a movie someday ... I know there's a story in my head, somewhere up there ... I just need time to find it.

Chris M. said...

I'll write a book.

Want to do a joint venture? I can make the weather parts extra dramatic or funny or scary or romantic. Whatever you need.

Because I'm here to help.

-Chris
Weather Moose

KatBouska said...

That's EXACTLY how it happens right!?! I love this!!

And I think you're a great writer...you can do it!!!

ShelbyAnne said...

LOVE IT!!!

Esp G-dog barking at everything. I heart her.