| It's the 2nd of January. Already. The holidays have come, gone and left their droppings all over the League clubhouse. There's cleaning to do, grocery shopping, exercise, a trip to the post office. Plus we've got the new book club set to go (HEART OF STONE, pick it up and read, bitches). It's all too much. Aaaaaaah! Writing is my day job and it's still hard to find the time. So how do you juggle all of life's demands and still put together a story worth reading? No...seriously...how? I could tell you that it's all about the time management, prioritizing, lists, PROSEC (or Prozac, for that matter). But really, it's boils down to focus and enjoying the process. You know those moments where you get into your own story, laughing along with the characters or at them, feeling the tension as a particularly suspensful scene unfolds? Those are moments to remember, to celebrate. They sustain us. They are our runner's high. So--I know--that doesn't really answer the question how, so much as why it's important to find the time and put the fingers to the keys, but it's my goal when I write. I'm searching for those moments. Sometimes when I'm starting a new project and I'm not sure whether it's working, I'll just free write until it starts to feel good. When it does, that's the beginning. Am I rambling? Maybe it's because I need to get back to ROAD TRIP. I had one of those moments yesterday, a real writer's high. I'm crossing my fingers for another one today. No. It's not about luck. I'll get there. I have to. -Mark Labels: Mark Henry, Writing |
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You must have had dozens in Happy Hour b/c even though it's not my normal read, I was laughing the whole way through!!
And to think my wife says that Road Trip is funnier. She just started reading it over the weekend.
I was literally trembling while she read it (well, the first half, anyway).
;)
A well done post. Even if I prefer medium rare, although meat might be iffy after reading HHotD. Not to mention I'm now afraid to go into Starbucks.
You're afraid. They're going to have my photo posted on all their cash registers with a big bolded warning: Do Not Serve This Coffee Blasphemer.
You're afraid. They're going to have my photo posted on all their cash registers with a big bolded warning: Do Not Serve This Coffee Blasphemer.
And you sort of live in Starbucks country, yes? I'd start watching for them thar "Wanted - Coffee Blasphemer . Last seen at the Mac counter purchasing pancake makeup for a zombie socialite.." handbills.
Mortal danger, I tell you!
Now, don't make me put up posters at the one little weeny Starbucks that Brunstucky actually has... b/c I'm becoming very tempted!!
I think I need to drop some of those promo cards at our local starbucks. I think there's another in the county up on a college campus, too.
Funnily enough, they made me take out trademarked Starbuck references in DEAD TO ME to avoid such issues...
Is that because of your publisher, Anton? Though, it could be your book as well. Mark's is filled with trademark companies. It vital to the atmosphere. Your book doesn't require such brands for it to be true to itself and the world.
True, some of us rely on good writing, while others COMMIT THEMSELVES TO COMMERCIAL HACKERY! HACKERY, I TELL YOU!!!
Parts of Happy Hour remind me of that scene from Wayne's World where they talk about not selling out while eating and using name brand products...
Mark will have the last laugh though when he gets a big fat endorsement deal and a lifetime supply of Frappucinos...
The Happy Hour of the Damned Tour brought to you by...
Grey Goose Vodka
Carolina Herrerra
Starbucks
Vogue
and...
Mama's Little Helper brand vaporub, for all your zombie sex needs.
Those writer high moments make us like addicts. We keep writing in the hopes of achieving that feeling again. It's also very cool when you go back after a while and the stuff you loved when you wrote it is still funny.
Grey goose and vaporub zombie lube? Sounds like my New Years.