Sometimes I feel like there are two Me. The one who writes. And the one who does everything else. When I’m in a book, I spend hours typing away getting words out as fast as they come to me. But this week, I gave myself permission to not-write for a while.
And I’ve:
Watched a LOT of TV. (I forgot how much I like Crossing Jordan. And CSI (even reruns). And…well, there’s quite a list.)
Created a few mock book covers for books I’m not even really working on at the moment.
I’ve crocheted things for the baby. (who is kicking and rolling to let me know s/he is there.)
I’ve had quite a bit to eat.
Done laundry.
Cooked real meals instead of french fries and sandwiches.
I’m not sure these two me-people can co-exist at the same time. What I realised I DO need to do is to take some time off from writing more often than I have been. Time to just…play online. (Did you know that RD isn’t the only website out there?!)
I’ve asked before about balance. How to be a writer, and wife, and mom, and ourselves, all at the same time. Is this it? Do we just do it all as best we can while our muse if off drinking, and hope the kids, husband et. al. remember it when we hide in the cave for days at a time? I’m not sure how that’s going to go over at my house, especially once the newest arrival gets here.
But for right now, I’ve got to say, being on sabbatical kind of rocks. I’m going to go cook something fabulous for dinner (maybe even bake cookies!) and crochet something new for the baby. Later I’m going to colour with my two youngest, and watch Animaniacs on DVD. What a rough life, eh? 
October 19th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
I need to get you addicted to World of Warcraft, so you can add that to the list too! XD
October 19th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Balance is an alien concept. I think it’s the ADD for me though. I spend about 90% of my time distracted.
And what do you mean there are sites other than RD!? Bite your tongue woman!
October 19th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
I know exactly what you’re talking about. Cookie or my sister literally have to drag me off the computer-but then I realize that yeah-I really needed a break. Veg out and nap, maybe go outside or out to a movie or something.
I havent really given myself a lot of permission to unwind. I keep saying after these edits or after this book comes out etc. A lot of people think that writing suddenly means you have all this free time-but you only have as much as you allow yourself {barring deadlines}
I think we are our own worst boss-we never give ourselves a break.
Enjoy your time off.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
Oh yeah….I must take a break sometimes. My “brain” literally makes me when I finish a book. It shuts down completely so I can veg out. LOL
October 20th, 2007 at 3:43 am
I play my XBox or Playstation. I play City of Heroes. I knit. (Sounds like I need to knit you a blanket for your little!) I play games with my kids. I work in my aquarium, or play with the hamster, or the cats. I absorb books. I try to break my computer.
Mostly, though…I write. My muse keeps the music up loud late at night. She’s a terrible neighbor!