Oh yeah, oh yeah. Took some time to celebrate. Just one day out of life. It would be, it would be so nice. Yes… I’m attempting to sing vintage Madonna 
So I was filling out an interview today, regarding my writing, and one question totally made me laugh. I’m not sure why. It wasn’t funny. It was logical, and would probably make sense in any other career. But as a writer, it just gave me the biggest belly laugh. The question?
Will you take time off for the holidays?
Time off… from writing? *Makes choked laughing sound* Umm, not really. Writing is just something that I do. I need to purge stories from my head on a somewhat regular basis. Time off is something you do because of Doctor’s orders after you get diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel. Or maybe, like me, you’re giving yourself a few weeks break to plot for the upcoming NaNo.
But writers don’t really get time off. Or vacations. We don’t wake up on Labor Day and say, “Oh thank God it’s Labor Day. I don’t have to write today.” Writers are instilled with this instinct, this knowledge that the novel isn’t going to write itself. Especially if we’re knee deep in a book!
Or you know, maybe I’m just the lone nutcase who doesn’t do holidays off. What about you? Are you A writer knows no holidays, or a Hell no I’m not writing today, it’s turkey day! writer.
October 24th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Well, last year after being wiped out by Nano and then w/ Christmas, I didn’t write during the month of December. At all. Plus, I got really sick, which put a damper on my holiday season.
We’ll see how I am this year. I think I WILL write through Dec. Maybe not as much but I’ve discovered I have a hard time not writing. We definitely don’t take holidays from it.
Unless my hubby came home w/ tickets to Maui. I wouldn’t write a drop in Maui.
October 24th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
Hi, Shelli!
As a total binge-writer, I have to take time off — otherwise my house would be condemned for lack of care. And God help me if I’m ever in the middle of a binge over the holidays because when I get wound up over a book, I’m a creature obsessed. Stopping to play nice at family get-togethers when I’m in this state is torture for all involved. My head is so lost in my plot, it’s almost impossible for me to keep track of, much less participate in, conversations.
I’d better get a huge chunk of my book done over NaNovember or the holidays are going to be a trial for all of us.
I’m dying to get started — how about you?
October 24th, 2006 at 8:35 pm
Robin!! Yes I can’t wait for NaNo (I’ve never seen it as NaNovember! How cute!) I’m ready and rearing. I’m going on my third week of just plotting. LOL. I need to write!
October 24th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
Holidays are the perfect time for me to write since I have full time job. It means no “regular work” so I can wake in the morning and write instead of get dressed and go to work. I can’t wait till Xmas.
October 24th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
I’m like Robin. I binge write and then I take time off. I don’t know which is worse, the writing or the time off. When I’m in writing mode I cannot think about anything else. My family gets very neglected. But when I’m not writing I feel guilty because it’s usually from some sort of block. Does that make sense?
October 25th, 2006 at 1:11 am
K now you’re making me wonder if maybe I AM a purger like you guys. I mean I do that too, have spells where I write everyday until I finsh the book. Then take a break for a week as I gear up for my next one. Does that make me a purger
October 25th, 2006 at 5:19 am
I’m just like that. I get started on a new story and can’t stop even if one of my kids were on fire. (Okay not really, but close to it) Then once I’m done, It’s feels so good, I just sit back and enjoy until the next story attacks me. Which is usually pretty quick. I definately don’t plan to take time off though. Like you said, the stories would back up in my head painfully if I didn’t get them out and journaling them isn’t much help for me.