Monday, November 5, 2012

Stephen King says I can't snuggle my pets today

I arrived home late last night after four days in Portland working a convention for the day job. Events like that are particularly draining for introverts like me, and today I want nothing more than to unpack my suitcase and crawl into bed with a good book and a few pets.

Or all six pets, if I can arrange it:

A rare moment captured by my gentleman friend – all five cats plus the dog gathered on the bed for movie night. For the record, we don't sleep like this.
Alas, there will be no snuggling with my pets or my gentleman friend or even random strangers today. I probably won't even have time to unpack my suitcase, which means I'll spend the next week sniffing the armpits of dirty shirts and convincing myself I can get away with wearing them one more time.

I'm in the home stretch on my current manuscript, and I need every moment of writing time I can possibly get. Even if I don't feel like it. Even if I'm exhausted. Even if I have a strong sense that my sleep-deprived brain is producing scenes that read as though they were typed by a dyslexic third-grader with a sugar-buzz and six missing fingers.

Which is why I really appreciate this graphic someone posted on Facebook a few days ago:


Thank you, Mr. King, for the reminder that writers keep writing no matter what. Even on days they'd sooner pierce their own genitals with a rusty fork.

And on that note, I'm off to write a love story.

How do you keep going when it's the last thing you want to do? Please share!

11 comments :

Raley Blue said...

Generally my small personages occupy my home and depend on me, see to it that i keep going. They have big guilt inducing eyes.

In writing, I always think of Mr. Kings advice on "killing your children." That's how I keep going in editing.

Also, my dad always said, "we can sleep when we're dead." So I tell myself I'd rather leave behind a well used up body that I pushed to get every thing out of it that I could, rather than a pristine body that is still full of unused potential and a life never fulfilled.

Raley Blue said...

{{{{{{{{{{superduperintrovertsisterwriterhugs}}}}}}}}}}} to you, too, btw. I know that is.

Unknown said...

And THAT is why S.K. is my hero. :-) Your dog reminds me of one of mine. (She's a beagle-mix ... long, short to the ground, and a super sweet face.)

Looks like you have a full theater for most movie nights!

Mary said...

Just got back from a wedding in Chicago -- old home week everywhere so I spent more time than ever-ever-ever talking to a zillion people and I'm completely wiped. Really just want to burrow under the covers with my pups and read a good book. But I had to come to school today & teach my high schoolers...

I promised myself beer after work, another pup-snuggle, and that I'm not doing ANYTHING social this weekend, just writing (which, I suppose, is socializing in a way. Just with characters. In my head. In a non-crazy way, though just to other writers. Everyone else...not so much).

Introverts unite! Write on (despite the rusty fork in your tender bits)!

Shawna Thomas said...

That graphic put it into perspective for me too!

I have plenty of excuses... sick kids, husband, baby who does not sleep, sleep-deprivation, laundry and yes that fear that what I am writing in my sleep-deprived state is absolutely from suck-ville and no one will ever buy it, because those who do will hate it and spread the word... you get the idea.

Thank you! It's nice not to feel alone. And this is why SK is my hero too!

inkgrrl said...

Thank you SO MUCH for the reminder. Because right now it's an open toss up between the fork and the page.

Hugs and happy snuggling to you!!

Wendy said...

I love this quote. My crit partner and I were talking about this very topic and now suddenly this quote is making the rounds. We saw someone post on Facebook, too. King always has something inspiring to say.

And you. You are always a bright spot in blog reading time!

Neurotic Workaholic said...

I like to snuggle with my dogs, because they're so soft and furry and they like to cuddle.
I like Stephen King's quote on writing. He's write about how it's important not to stop. If writers kept stopping every time it got to be too difficult for them, it'd be a lot harder to get started again.

Dog Urn said...

You have written very interesting quote !! I appreciate it...

Unknown said...

Stephen King really does give great advice. His words are inspiring and truly boost you up. Just find something to inspire you too get the creative juice going.
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Murr Brewster said...

I don't know. I always feel like writing. Probably because I'm not making a living at it.