I’m not a full-time writer. Maybe one day, but for now, the need to earn means fitting in writing around work. I know I’m not alone in this, having met many authors who fit writing into their lunch breaks between demanding full-time jobs, or late at night when children go to bed, so I’m grateful I only work part time at present. Part time work means once the freelance work is done, bills are paid, and the house is tidy (I’m one of those people who needs order), I have time to write. At least, that’s the plan.
This past week was not a week where things go to plan writing-wise. Work was more demanding than usual, with a 10-day dance festival meaning extra hours and coming home exhausted from dealing with people all day. Get up early to write? Not a chance. Stay up late to write? As if. Not even reading excited me, which shows how much the festival drained me. One night I set aside two books, unable to make inroads into them, and sought an old favourite: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Sigh. I love that book.
But… I did do a little writing. A couple of micro poems while ushering people in and out of the theatre, and some notes for my work in progress. I wrote another chapter of my novel on Friday morning before an evening shift at the festival.
Blank paper
Your siren call
teases my empty mind:
I dare you.
Not a lot of time for photos either, but here are a few that I played around with. The red theme was coincidental. The first two are close-ups of a 95+ year old gramophone (and record) that sits in my house.
How does a website help rural fiction authors in Australia and NZ?
© All Rights Reserved 2023 Monique Mulligan | Website Design by Thorn Creative
0 Responses
Love the poppies and chillies photos. Some weeks are like that. Thoughts still simmer away so time away from the desk can still be productive, although we might not realise that til later. When I’m exhausted, I always return to a much loved book, instead of trying something new. My go-to book at these times is Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto.
Thanks Annabel. Sometimes the old favourites are the best comfort of all.
I do agree that thoughts simmer away. When I’d drive to work I’d be thinking of how to move the story on and so on … it doesn’t stop.
If only our lives would fit in around our writing! For me it’s kids that interrupt my writing schedule. The other day, I heard Anna Funder quote during an interview that for every child you have, it’s one less book you’ll write. Well, that’s four less books for me!
Oh, and I love your ‘red’ photos!
So true. They often interrupt mine as well – there are four here. At least they are teenagers now, but when they are awake and home, almost as demanding!
What a dreadful way to look at it! I am slow enough anyway. Thank god I only had one child.
I have Bel Canto sitting by my computer, and I dip in and out of it. My novel also features music and singing, not that I can hope to describe it as well as she does! The other book I keep by my computer as I write is Kent Haruf’s ‘Plainsong’, which isn’t at all about singing despite what the title suggests. I love that story as well as his writing style.