Yeah, I'll Work On That Tomorrow...

Don't you just love when you can see a disaster in the making? And upon realizing you have the power to prevent said disaster by acting today, instead decide, "I'll deal with that tomorrow," a la Scarlett O'Hara?

Somewhere in the last couple of months I have decided that I don't work on Saturdays. In fact, I usually make an effort to not go anywhere near a computer, including e-mail and blogging. It's restorative to have one full, computer-free, typing free, work free day each week.

However, I have work to do this weekend. Mega-work. As in, due dates are Monday and Tuesday and there ain't nowhere left to run and hide. But looking at the piles of work I have decided, "Eh. Tomorrow." Knowing full well that I have a 15-mile run tomorrow morning which will occupy me until almost noon once I add in shower, lunch, and drive time. Then my sister-in-law and nephew are coming over at 3. I've warned them I must work, but you know how that goes.  Exactly how much work can one get done with a 6-year-old in the house?

So I don't know when I think I'm going to get done the hours of work that await me. I better be damn productive between noon and 3 and probably up by 4 a.m. on Monday to make up for lost (squandered) time. The words better flow.

Because I'm not working today. Cheers!

Voodoo

A friend of mine is in an emotionally abusive relationship. The newest twist is the guy has told her he practices witchcraft and has created a voodoo doll of her that he will stick pins in. 

Are you kidding me? This guy couldn't manage to light a fart coming out of his own ass, but he's going to master the dark arts? Right, you betcha. But my friend is very religious and I was concerned something like this might scare her. To her credit, she thinks he's full of it.

I tried to cheer her up. "You tell him you have a witch-bitch friend, " I said, "who isn't afraid to go voodoo on his ass."

That got her laughing, so I went further.

"And remind him," I said, "that I'm smarter than him and am capable of reading the advanced potion books.  The ones without all the pictures."

We were rolling with laughter. Thank God. The occasional lighthearted perspective, while not a cure by any means, can help make a situation temporarily more bearable.

Voodoo. I just have to shake my head in disbelief. What on earth is this man thinking? Scratch that. We know exactly what he's thinking. How to induce fear and gain control.

Very, very sad.

Back to the Races

And....we're off! Again. I don't know why, but I continually hold out hope that at some point in life I'll be "caught up."  That all projects will be behind me, the house will be spotless, and empty days full of undefined promise will stretch out before me.  Right. Hasn't happened yet.

Stuff keeps coming up. Like work. I've gotten 3 new assignments in this week. Not bad for someone who started out the month with the goal of "easing back" on her work schedule.  I keep thinking, "I'll finish this project and then that will be it." But you darn people keep wanting to pay me money. What's a greedy writer to do?

Last month I had the hazy idea in my mind I would ease up around mid-September, when the craziness ended. Then near the end of September, I had the thought of December being pretty much a free and clear month.  The new goal as of today is January 1st. I will have all projects done and completed by January 1st and I will not accept new work after that. I will be "caught up."

Some people fantasize about hot men/women (take your pick). I fantasize about an empty calendar and clean desk. Go figure.

Fear of Writing Contest

Lessons In Stalking was recently offered as the prize for a short-short story writing contest on a website called Fear of Writing. I was a contest winner on the site years ago and I remember h0w thrilled I was to have won something writing related. The site's founder, Milli Thornton, and I have stayed in touch over the years. So when Milli posted a writing prompt around the theme "It's Raining Cats & Dogs," and asked if I would donate one of my books as a prize and be a judge, I jumped on it.

It was fun reading through the final entries. What I love about Milli's contests are that she bases the winning entry on creativity and originality. Unless there's a tie, little attention is paid to spelling, grammar, punctuation. Sounds like it goes against all rules of writing, right? But her goal is to make writing fun and accessible and to take the "I must be perfect in order to write" fear away from would-be writers. It was a completely different experience to judge entries just based on "fun" writing that appeared in their stories.

To see the winning entry and the author's reaction (which is quite humorous), go here: http://fearofwriting.icontact.com/archives/killer-rain/posts/contest-winner-more-tips-on-successful-contest-entries.html.

Also, if you know any budding writers blocked by fear, I highly recommend Milli's book "The Fear of Writing." It makes a great gift!

Congratulations to Giselle Hurley, the winner of the contest! Your book is on its way. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Dena