Pep Talks and Interruptions

Didn't I tell you Paulie's posts were likely to be so much more colorful than mine? I can tell you how he does it. He sat up late writing on my computer one night while I was out (since he broke his own) and spilled saki all over the keyboard. Now some of my keys stick as if they'd been glued and my word count is sooo far below his now...

Just kidding. Not about the saki and the broken computer. Just about the sour grapes.

Actually, we've been doing a great deal of our writing on laptops in the kitchen, sitting across from each other. We read excerpts aloud, gather feedback, and generally help each other out. Its pulled me out of my slump and I feel as if I'm on a roll. I passed that page seventy mark with no trouble at all and, if anything, feel as if I have to slow things down so I don't arrive too rapidly to the conclusion.

Funny how timely the pep talk topics have been. This week's is about reaching the halfway point and keeping the fingers moving, even if you have to edit out half of everything written this month. At least there's something to work with when blank white becomes lines of text. But the best piece of advice concerns writing alone. I always thought that was the way to go-alone with just your thoughts and your keyboard, and no one to interrupt. Nonsense. I find I write best with Paul across from me, interrupting me to read excerpts, offering him my own interruptions, the eight year old running through or yelling in to chat about Sponge Bob or drama class, and the pig demanding lap time. Even better when I have to be wary of the cockatoo sitting on my screen, because she just might add some spice by pecking one of my keys out in retaliation for being ignored.

I've heard so many talk about being left alone to work, how can they work with so many interruptions...blahblahblahhhhh..... I'm one of those cranky people, or at least I used to be. Now I think there's no place better than a room full of potential interruptions for nudging the subconscious. It causes some gaffs, true. But it keeps the brain busy and it'll all wash out in the edit.

Won't it?