Friday, 4:30 p.m.:
Stop working on legal stuff and begin reviewing the
latest chapter of the latest manuscript in progress. Worry that butt is
spreading due to constantly sitting in front of a computer. Edit stilted
language and continuity problems then start on next scene.
5:00 p.m.: Coke.
Must have Coke. Smile when coworker comments about staying late. Get
smacked by the Idea Fairy and rush back to desk before reaching the soda
machine.
6:00 p.m.: Save
work, yank floppy disk from computer, grab coat and briefcase and run
for the bus. Ignore the stares of the other commuters while grinning and
muttering and editing the most recent pages.
7:00 p.m.: Brace for
impact as toddler son rushes over in greeting, head butting stomach in
the process. Eat with family, talk about what happened at school, the
Coast Guard and the law firm today.
7:45 p.m.: Wash
dishes, sneak into office to turn on computer, promise to play with son.
Create marble quarry out of dry risotto so the toy excavator and dump
trucks can haul "rocks" across the living room. Wish toddler
energy carried over into adult life.
8:00 p.m.: Watch
beginning of movie with husband, then sneak back into office to
download…67?…emails, mostly Viagra and second-home-mortgage spam.
Notice advance review among the detritus and squeal over four-star rating.
9:00 p.m.: Time for
face washing, teeth brushing, goodnight smooching, storytelling, back
rubbing, second storytelling, water drinking, cover kicking and, finally,
sleeping. Kiss little angel on the forehead, yawn and wish to join him.
10:00 p.m.: Grab a
quickie on the couch and call it research.
10:05 p.m...
(Just kidding)
10:30 p.m.: Smiling
and sated, but seriously in need of a nap, fall asleep on the couch.
Midnight: Wake up
with stiff neck and sore back and an idea of how to fix chapter
cliffhanger. Grab Coke can off of desk. Eeeew. That was from last night.
12:05 a.m.: Cold
Coke and a hot idea. Now we're rockin'.
12:35 p.m.: Get
stuck on last scene. Waste…um, spend time surfing the Internet to
research story element. Get distracted by headlines on BBC News web site.
12:50 a.m.: Overcome
by guilt for wasting time, return to draft of chapter. Realize that great
idea has become completely elusive. Reread previous scenes but end up
editing pages. Worry that entire chapter is total garbage.
1:25 a.m.: Slip out
front door for a smoke. Relax and stare at stars until tension eases from
neck and shoulders. Stomp out cigarette as Idea Fairy returns.
2:30 a.m.: Stretch
and rub eyes which are burning from staring at the computer monitor.
Realize happily that eight pages have magically appeared on the screen and
they're good! Type rough notes regarding what needs to happen next.
2:40 a.m.: Push away
from desk and yawn hugely. Remember that butt will keep spreading if gym
membership doesn't get used. Time for face washing, teeth brushing, water
drinking and, finally, sleep.
5:00 a.m.: Wake to
the sound of son calling name. Stumble over to toddler bed whispering
reassurances. Realize that whispering is not working. Pick up little angel
and tuck him into bed with his father. Go sleep on sofa.
7:00 a.m.: Offer
anything to sleep for 10 more minutes. Grumble when three-year-old child
ignores plea and demands cereal to go with his cartoons. Pry
ever-spreading butt off of sofa and realize that new day has begun.
8:30 a.m.: Sigh in
response to 27th calling of name. Push away from dining table and last
night's pages to change television channel to different cartoons. Sneak
out for another smoke.
9:30 a.m.: Threaten
to change name to Gladys and move to Peoria if child demands different
cartoon channel one more time. Sweetly suggest that he go and tell his
father it's time to wake up.
Noon: Stop writing,
editing, rewriting, thinking, writing and re-editing to have lunch with
husband and son. Thank husband for entertaining son and nicely ask for one
more hour.
1:30 p.m.: Notice
child is running wild and husband is grumbling. Quickly type notes to self
for current chapter and quit writing for the rest of the day.
9:00 p.m.: Deadline
for submitting partial manuscript is looming. Worry that Idea Fairy won't
show up tonight. Realize must keep writing no matter what. Dream about
next book contract. Put butt in chair and hands on keyboard. Get to work.
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