Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Spring break fever
One more day until I'm officially on Spring Break. Ten years ago, I'd get really excited about Spring Break. Drinks and boys and beaches.Now . . . . I'm just thinking, "I wonder if I'll be able to clean my house?"
I'm thinking that adults need a Spring Break now and then. You know, that time in your life when you get away from all supervision, go somewhere exotic like Daytona Beach, and blow off everything but the tequila. One week without a single responsibility or item on your to-do list. One week without a child needing attention. One week with nothing to do but go to parties, lay out on the beach, and sleep in.
Sometimes, I wonder if my writing needs a Spring Break too. Those moments where we block out every rule, every item on our to-do list, and just write. Not worrying about if we got the setting right, or if the finished product will fit the right genre. Not stopping to fix the spelling errors or dig through the thesaurus for the perfect word.
Just write with the complete abandon that only nineteen-year-olds left unsupervised with a keg can manage.
I was writing yesterday and trying hard to get into my heroine Josephine's head. And the thought crossed my mind that Josephine doesn't react all that maturely to a lot of things. She feels things deeply, but doesn't want to admit that. So she does stupid, stupid things to stop feeling things.
I wondered if I was writing a character that was "too bad." Someone who broke too many rules to be a heroine, someone who couldn't be sympathized with. She's a bit like a nineteen year old on Spring Break.
But sometimes, we need that abandon. That complete recklessness that comes with being too young. Sometimes, we need to say to hell with the rules, and just write for the sheer joy of writing.
What does writing with complete abandon mean to you? What would you do if you could block out everything else and just write? What would you do with a whole week without a single responsibility?
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81 comments:
Huh...well, I basically already write with abandon. It's called being stuck with a ton of editing afterward.
But it is fun!
A whole week of just writing with out the dog to keep an eye on...to be aware that she's in the van and I can't sit here in Starbucks for the few more hours I want... That would be nice. I love Bonnie, but the responsibilities! Much like children I imagine. Save you can't leave them in the car by themselves for even a few minutes let alone a few hours...
After the cruise in December...a week without a single responsibility would sailing on the Talofa all over Baja...jumping in the water, saving young sea turtles...yeah. That's it.
And yes, we all need a spring break. Adult strike! Adult strike! Let's do it!
Adult strike! I love it. I lead a strike once in high school -- got detention for that and almost kicked out.....
Anyhoo, sailing and swimming and saving sea turtles sounds awesome. As does being able to leave your dog in the van. Ours freaks out if she's left alone for even a second in the car, but she's still young.
When I was writing this blog, I was thinking that a lot of the pirates already write with complete abandon...so, how do you do it?
I don't think I do anything with complete abandon. LOL! And I never did the spring break thing. But admittedly, '91, '92, and '93 were pretty much non-stop spring break for me. I got it all out of the way at one time.
I'm getting closer to feeling the abandon exhileration. Our temps are in the 70s this week! Whoohoooooo!!!!!!!
Sorry, I'm a little excited for spring.
I think you have to remember nothing is off limits. Just keep writing the character and know that at some point, it'll all work out.
BTW - Those of you who were still in HS in the early 90s, please do not mention it. Thanks.
Writing with abandon? I'm not sure I do that or know how. I think I'd just be stuck thinking the whole time that I would have too much to fix at the end. :(
But I like the idea. I'd like to see how others manage it too.
I would like a spring break, if you guys are passing them out. Someplace warm, preferably. It's been snowing here forever.
Huh. I'm not sure there is a lot I do with complete abandon. I mean, I can think of at least ONE time where I did, and afterwards I was laying on the bed with that same struck look on my face that Meryl Streep had in It's Complicated, wondering what the hell had just happened. It was really good, just not what I was, well, expected. Cynic that I am.
I like the adult strike. I'm for that.
I was still in HS in the early 90s! Though when I have to mention when I graduated from college, I just groan because I'm so old. *LOL*
Wait, wait, I thought of something I actually sorta do with complete abandon--besides THAT--cooking! It's one of the things I can do that I know I don't have to follow the recipe exactly. I have been doing cooking long enough that I know what can be substituted and what can't, and I'm more than likely to try something and if it doesn't work, then we just don't do it again. No big deal. I do not get caught up in that I don't have thyme or that my onion pieces aren't precisely diced.
It's like 60 today, I think, and I'm wearing open toed shoes! WOOOHOOOOOOO!!!!
Admittedly I didn't do the spring break like you described either. I mean I did go to California with three friends for Spring Break my senior year in college, but we weren't what you'd classify as drinkers. Mostly we ran around looking at stuff, completely sober.
Now there was this party we threw with friends back home. It was a slip and slide party (rednecks do it better) and we put a mattress at the bottom of the hill, tacked plastic sheeting all the way down the hillside, and put soaker hoses all down either side of the sheeting. Threw the water on and voila, an adult sized slip and slide. We got a raft and we'd flop on it and slide down the hill, screaming. Damn that was fun. I lost my bikini top (WHY I was wearing a bikini is anyone's guess) and had a total Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction that Chris's father still talks about whenever I'm in the room long enough.
Ter - three years of non stop spring break?? Now that sounds like a good time! LOL! I was too much of a prude and too shy in college to really do the Spring Break right. But if I could do it now....I would definitely have waaaaay more fun!
Our temps are finally going back up too. I can't wait for Spring!
Marn - I have the same problem. I want to just write without thinking about it, but then there's the editor voice.....and I can't make her shut up....so then I try to drown her out with music....I don't know. There has to be a way to actually strangle her, right?
You guys still have snow on the ground? That blows. Ours finally melted and it's finally starting to get warm. I actually came to work without a coat this morning!
Hellie - open toed shoes??? Gah, I'm so jealous. Though I desperately need a pedicure before I could wear open-toed shoes, even if it were warm enough here.
Ahh cooking - I love cooking when I don't have the "if this is crap what exactly will we eat for dinner?" hanging over my head. Experimenting in the kitchen is so much fun.
Come to think of it, it's kind of the same as the editor voice, isn't it? Instead of "uh, hello dumbass, you still have to feed other people," voice, I get the "uh, hello dumbass, this still has to be sellable" voice. Same dumb voice. I gotta figure out a way to get rid of this bitch :)
Writing with total abandon takes the knowing of the many edits that lie ahead and doing it anyway...and throwing the voices that keep reminding ye a' that ta the Kraken, trailing the boat.
I like to think my wild abandon is growing more edu-ma-cated so that the necessary edits are shrinking...
I like to think that a lot.
I love when Chance shows up drunker than the rest of us who have been awake for a while. LOL!
I never wear open-toe shoes. Even when it's a hundred degrees outside. LOL! Unless I'm going to the beach. Then I suck it up and deal.
Chance - yes! Throwing the voice to the Kraken. This is exactly what I need to learn! Just close my eyes (figuratively, of course) and write. Not giving a thought to anything else.
I think you're absolutely right that the more you practice doing it, the more edu-ma-cated the wild abandon gets. I believe it!
I'm so envious of everyone having "Pirates Gone Wild" moments to talk about. Sigh. I've got to get on the stick or I won't have anything to put in my memoirs that I haven't MADE UP! LOL
I do have a kind of wild abandon style of writing, although some days it is hard to keep five steps ahead of the critical internal editor. Whenever she wrinkles her nose and says, "That'll NEVER work", I agree at first -- then I go back and explore it. It's usually something good too!
Ter, I detest anything on my feet. Whenever winter comes and I have to start wearing socks I get all depressed *g* I'm still waiting for the moment I can ditch all the socks until next winter.....
Well, Donna...pirates gone wild occurs most days on this ship as a matter of routine.
Can one routinely go wild? Here on the Revenge, all things are possible and no wears shoes ever, unless we want to wear some kick ass boots to kisk some ass.
And since Sin takes the monkey with her when she's off ship, there's been no messy monkey crap to wade through.
Making the boat the best place to bear yer toes ta the wind and waves!
Long live springtime!
As I gaze at a camellia tree outside my window that is insane with light pink blossoms. Maybe I won't cut that one down...
LOL Donna! I think that sometimes too, that I need to have waaaay more fun if I'm going to have stories to tell in the nursing home *g*
I've noticed the same thing, that the louder and more annoying the internal editor is, the better I'm writing. It's like she lives to be contrary. But usually when she's screaming "you can't do that!" is when, the right tweaking, it can turn out really, really cool.
Routinely go wild...I think that just means were crazy. Awesome!
I'm not taking my shoes off on this ship!
Ter, I detest anything on my feet. Whenever winter comes and I have to start wearing socks I get all depressed *g* I’m still waiting for the moment I can ditch all the socks until next winter…..
EXACTLY!! I'm barefoot now. And it feels MARVELOUS!
Bear your toes makes me think I'm having honey licked off them or something. Homonyms, woman!
And we're definitely crazy.
toes dipped in honey? That could lead to some definite Pirates Gone Wild moments....hmmmm...digging for camcorder...
Another reason to keep my tennis shoes tied tight.
I don't even want to think of the nasty stuff on this deck.
You wear shoes because you're always cold. You shiver at the beach.
I am shoeless because I hate being hot.
I do take them off the minute I get into my house. And replace them with slippers. :)
When I write fiction for 'serious' it is always with gay abandon. I cocoon myself in a quiet room with just the computer and my thoughts and let it flow.
The results are mostly unprintable without extensive editing. Not pornographic or slanderous or anything, but weird, requiring extensive interpretation for anyone else to enter my world. I may be the writing equivalent of Salvador Dali the painter ... though not as good needless to say!
Perhaps the weirdness of the quantum world temporarily invades my mental reality.
Anyway, like Chance, I just write for fun, therapy and relaxation.
Spring breaks in America must be fantastic with all that rugged splendour to explore. I think I would want to start with the Grand Canyon, move on to Niagara then The Great Lakes. Might throw in some culture if time permitted, then ... the mind just boggles at the overwhelming array of possibilities.
In spare moments just try to dream a little and remember what a fabulous continent you have!
PS
Chance, I'm sorry if I criticised your cocktails yesterday. Its just 'that' one I'm against. All the others are fabulously exotic .... just like your writing! :D
Q, "spring break" and "culture" don't generally go together.
And "exploring rugged splendour". . .I'm thinking Navy SEAL or cowboy or something along the line of "male scenery". LOL
Oops! Left out a smilie on my first sentence -- when I read it now, it sounds awfully mean! So sorry!
:) :) :)
Male scenery....I like the way you think Donna!
Q - I wanna go on vacation with you! I've been to the Grand Canyon, but never Niagara or the Great Lakes. Of course, the fact that they're like a six-day drive apart might have something to do with that *g*. It's a good continent, but man is it big. I much prefer Europe where everything is near everything else and you can get places quickly!
I love the idea of writing the same way Salvadore Dali paints. Such a great analogy! I find myself writing very weird things as well, when I'm not paying attention. Really makes me wonder what goes on in my head when I'm not paying attention, and if other people's thoughts are this weird, or if I'm just crazy.
(yes, yes, I know, we already know the answer to that question!)
What does writing with complete abandon mean to me?
For me writing with complete abandon means to write the absolutely truth. The wole unedited, unfiltered, unforgettable truth.
Slightly off topic - Has anyone else watched the trailer for Eclipse? Does the dialogue keep getting worse with each movie or is it just me?
At least it looks like Bella washed her hair in this one.
Ohh, I like that Julie. Nice!
Ter - that's hilarious, as I was pretty sure after Twilight it couldn't possibly get worse *g* I loved the books, but the movies just aren't doing it for me.
I keep seeing articles about the new trailer and didn't go see it yet. Now I just did. And I snickered hysterically all through it.
I'm afraid the dialogue is as authentic to the book now as it was in the first movie, what with all those "so the lion fell in love with the lamb" tidbits.
Still going to see it ASAP; and I still ordered the second movie on DVD (out March 20).
I love the breakdowns of the trailers. *LOL* The comment of is it necessary for Jacob to have his shirt off while he talks, et al. *ROTFLMAO*
I thought it looked liked Jacob gets to keep his shirt on more in this one than the last one. But "I'll love you until your heart stops beating." Really?
I know this stuff sounds good in romance books, but you are so right. It just sounds wrong said out loud like this.
And I can't help but think with better actors it would at least be nominally better.
Bear toes, beer toes, bare toes, bar toes... It's all toes ta me!
Terr! Nothing like bare feet on a warm deck. The monkey is with Sin, it's OK...
Q - I know ya don't like the honeyed up drinks... A Dali writer...hmmm. Dripping words, sliding off the desk... What a cool image!
Yeah, that was the line that was most accurate, I'm afraid.
And I can’t help but think with better actors it would at least be nominally better.
I don't think so. A bad line is a bad line.
Still, the dialogue is still better than what was featured in Wolfman and delivered by the main actor. OMG he was bad! *LOL*
Really? Wolfman wasn't good? (Not that I plan to see it. Just curious.)
Chance - Minus the peanut shells, this deck is likely similar to the floors of the rowdiest bars you can find.
I'll pass, thanks.
Nah! The hotties swab it down and the wind blows the shells offa the deck inta the water where the fishes nibble on them...the deck be warm and dry and wondrous... Trust me, I been on the decks a' many a sailing vessel. They keep 'em clean and free a debris and slippery stuff...
We are a workin' ship!
It feels good on the toes...like warm sand, all swept clean by mother ocean.
Damn! I'm in a good mood today! ;)
It was funny if you want a good laugh. But it's supposed to be a "horror" thriller type, and it was only horrific in the sense of the acting and writing.
I hate sand. And we work?
Mmm, yeah I'm barefoot on the deck now. It's wonderous. If you hurry, you can still see the shirtless hotties scampering up and down the rigging. Mmmmm.
I've actually never been on a sail boat, or anything besides a Ferry, so I figured the deck would be slimy too. Good to know it wouldn't be! I can be barefoot!
Thank you, Hal1
Like Chance and Q, I too write for fun, therapy and relaxation. Unfortunately ... I suspect that any Unfortunate who happens to read one of my absolute truth The wole unedited, unfiltered, unforgettable truth tidbits will not be feeling the fun, therapy or the relaxation.
No. They'll be feeling kinda funny. Unrelaxed. And need therapy!
No, honey. We don't work. The shirtless cabana boys work. We just enjoy the view :)
Julie writes tripping stuff...Duuuuuude!
There's a home for you in Santa Cruz, writing for our weekly papers.
Let the Bo'sun keep her shoes and give it a rest.
Where's the fun in that? LOL!
OK, but I want to paint toenails on the toebox so that it looks like she's getting sun on her feet...
Is that it? She has vampire feet that will turn to ash in the sun? :)
Hey, be nice to me, I sat up last night and scratched 250 apostrophes off postcards! Yes, I did that!
I did that, Hel...to make you happy. Since I was the one who screwed it up in the first place. Pat me on the head, Cap'n.
And not with a cutlass, please. Trying to let me hair grow out some before RT.
There isn't, but the comments were turning into a version of a family roadtrip with the kids in the back going, "Mom! She's touching me!" "I'm not touching you! I'm not touching you!"
Fine, paint some toenails on her shoes.
And I did not tell you to put the apostrophe in there in the first place, sugar bottom. You've logged into this website for over a year and know there is no apostrophe in it. It can happen to anyone admittedly, but it is funny that you've been coming here for over a year and got the website bungled.
Well, if the purpose of the postcards in the first place was to encourage more readers and giving readers incorrect websites to visit would surely irritate would-be readers...
Now I'm doing the "I'm not touching you" stuff. It was my fault. I should have ordered them like you asked.
Nah, it's sorta funny... And they weren't hard to fix! Really, I sat there watching tv, scratching away and just snickering at myself. Easy mistake to make, easy to fix. Not like I spelled something huge wrong...
I didn't spell anything huge wrong and you're not telling me, right?
No, there is nothing misspelled that I saw. Just the apostrophe. Which cracked me up when I saw it. I did type it into my computer to make sure it wouldn't correct itself, but it went 404 and I knew we had a problem. *sighs*
Donna said: Oops! Left out a smilie on my first sentence — when I read it now, it sounds awfully mean! So sorry!
Thats nice of you Donna. I really didn't notice though. I've survived far far worse around here! :lol:
I accidentally clicked on your name and was taken to your web site. I see you also have several manuscripts in waiting. I will look at some of the excerpts when I have more time.
Lovely photo as well!
Hal said: Q – I wanna go on vacation with you!
Of course, the fact that they’re like a six-day drive apart might have something to do with that *g*.
For this trip of a lifetime, I would naturally hire a helicopter ... can you fly one Hal?
Chance said: Q – I know ya don’t like the honeyed up drinks
Thats most gracious of you Chance. I do like the cherry on a stick that sometimes comes with them. Perhaps I could have a cherry with my scotch in future.
It might stop me blundering where Angels fear. :wink:
Julie said: Unfortunately … I suspect that any Unfortunate who happens to read one of my absolute truth The wole unedited, unfiltered, unforgettable truth tidbits will not be feeling the fun, therapy or the relaxation.
No. They’ll be feeling kinda funny. Unrelaxed. And need therapy!
So funny! Jules I much admire that sharp spicy wit of yours. A peek at the un-expurgated version might indeed be a revelation. :lol:
I haven't read my card that closely to look for spelling errors, but I found that apostrophe right off. And I'm surprised Hellie let you order them. I know she calls me a control freak (and I am!) but it takes one to know one.
Ya know? LOL!
2009 Reports now in storage and 2010 reports to date files. And I have the papercuts to prove it!
Whew.
Bet you didn't think I was getting anything done with all my "she's touching me!" crap, huh?
Nicely done, Ter! I fired someone today - does that count as progress at work? LOL!
LOL Q! No helicopters around here, though I have been looking into flying lessons...
*scittering away from Hal...
Wow, that new FB picture is really empowering you? Hope they like...really needed firing! I cannot imagine doing that, as much as I've known it needed to be done sometimes.
I like my hairdresser...but have her only doing color because she just can't get the cut right and I've thought...wish I could fire her, lovingly... Damn. I'm a woose and just keep having her do the color. She does a good job with it... But still!
Huh. I think I'd rather file than fire.
And why did I not think to click on Donn'a name before? Love the site and all the info on the MSs!
I was shaking the whole time :)
I'm such a wuss too. But it was one of those unfortunate things that just had to be done.
Note to self: Do not work for Hal. *grins*
You seen her new FB picture? Like...crossed arms and all... They call me Professor Halleigh!
Just got back from a nice leisurely lunch, and well, you people have been busy!
Sorry, Hal, about having to fire someone -- it is tough. And Q and Bo'sun, thanks for checking out my website (and for the compliments).
I'm feeling all woozy from reading the post that said this is a "working ship". LOL I thought it was a pleasure cruise!
Chance, you're hilarious! I didn't think it was *that* bossy of a picture!
The funny thing is, I'm not all that bossy. I'm really a push-over. But sometimes, even the push-overs of the world have to take a stand. I'm quite proud of myself, actually!
So, how do I tell my darling hair dresser I think she's the sweetest thing in the world but I need her to loosen up and not style my hair like I'm an old woman... I want to look wild and edgy...
See, I would just switch to a different hairdresser, which doesn't really help. Have you taken her a picture of hair styles you like? I've found that a lot of times it's dependent on age -- they're teaching very different things in cosmetology school now than then they were twenty years ago. You might just need a younger/edgier stylist :(
No, that's the thing! She is a younger edgy girl... She get's close, then smoothes all the edgy stuff out. I need to just pay attention and say... "NO! Just like that!"
I'll figure it out! She is a good colorist!
The funny thing is, I’m not all that bossy. I’m really a push-over.
Ummm thats very interesting, Hal.
You know, I honestly consider myself quiet.
And subtle.
All thiss talc of Miss Spelinks and fire-rings iz macking mea nervouse`.
See, I babble...no one takes me serious, then I slip in with me cutlass! Deadly!
Yes, but subtle is also another word for clever, sneaky, slippery...
The quiet ones are the most dangerous... ;/
Yes, but subtle is also another word for clever, sneaky, slippery…? Is it just me? Or is Chance saying that I remind her of a sea otter?
See, I babble…no one takes me serious, then I slip in with me cutlass! Deadly!
Darling, I know that hangin' out with you can be deadly. But thats a Chance ! we have to take!
Get it? ChanceEEEEK-Hey! Hellion! Mom! Hey Chance is touching me!
Julie writes tripping stuff…Duuuuuude!
There’s a home for you in Santa Cruz, writing for our weekly papers.
Why thank you, Chance. And I'd love to take the Santa Cruz gig . So tell me, Do they have some sort of program for writers like me? You know. Something like The Witness Protection Program!
*poke
*poke
A peek at the un-expurgated version might indeed be a revelation.
What you would find Q is a More So version of my on line self. More funny. More serious.
I can handle tremendous pressure. I can take the heat. I have been known to make an impact, though I am very natural. I'm bit quirky, different from the average, and no one can agree exactly where I am coming from. In short Q, I am the human version of ... a Tektite!
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