Seats with flowers in the center at Pike Place Market.
Bruce on Whale Sighting Boat.
Me on the whale sighting tour. We saw Humpbacks!Okay, I couldn't resist a few vacation photos.
In the previous post, I discussed taking a real break and what it might mean. So, what did it mean? Well, Swubird had a point in the comments when he said I might need to take my laptop, that's it's tough going cold turkey. Luckily, I had a pen and pad of paper for when inspiration struck. And it did strike, about twice.
But most of the time, the well refilled, the creative engine refueled, the spirit refreshed and--well you get the idea. And ideas started popping into my mind--a real light show. Which is excellent for my next endeavor: I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, not to write an entire novel in a month, but rather to finish my w.i.p. by the end of November. A way of setting an intention.
So, what did it mean? The vacation worked! And the ship analogy of clearing the decks? That's what I'm up to this week to prep for NaNo. Finishing an article that's going to be due November, submitting some short stories, cleaning the office...
How about you--do vacations just make you feel guilty--or do they renew your creative source? Like me, when faced with a deadline, do you leap into productivity--or become frozen? Do you feel the need to occasionally "clear the decks" or do you find comfort and inspiration in chaos?
6 comments:
Good luck with NaNoWriMo! I did that once, it's great for committing yourself to finishing a w.i.p.
Sometimes I feel guilty for not doing much on holiday but they are ideal for replenishing the inspiration.
I'm not doing NaNoWriMo. I can't work that way. I have to edit as I go. It's an essential part of how I work. My wife is. She did one before a couple of years ago. I've just finished the final edit on Stranger than Fiction so it's off to get proofread next week. The plan is to get back into my current novel then so, although I won't be working at the same frenetic pace, I will be writing.
As for the chaos vs order thing. I can work pretty much anywhere and under any circumstances but I didn't wait all these years to get my own office to work in a tip. No, it's always tidy but when I'm writing it's tidier still. It's not that I ditch all the ornaments, no, nothing like that, but everything is dusted, wiped down with a damp cloth and in its place. Then I can begin.
Puritanical is what I call it, Rebecca--that nasty guilt--which really doesn't get us anyplace, does it?
And yes, that's why I signed up for NaNoWriMo--to finish!
Puritanical is what I call it, Rebecca--that nasty guilt--which really doesn't get us anyplace, does it?
And yes, that's why I signed up for NaNoWriMo--to finish!
It's so true, Jim, that we all work differently--I work better with something to push me--as long as it's not a ferocious deadline. I just finished my article, weeks in advance. If the deadline had been days away, I might have frozen...
And why should you resist the holiday photos -quite delightful Envy you the humpbacks! Nice feeling, having you back.
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