Toto, I Don't Think We're in Kansas Any More: Crushing the Creative Process
In 1785, Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote, “The best-laid schemes of mice and men gang aft agley.”
Make that mice, men, and writers.
Last week I was on a roll. My new process, involving the whiteboard, was working well and I liked what I was writing. Then, oops!
First, on Thursday, I came down with some kind of digestive bug that laid me low for 24 hours. Then I woke up the next morning feeling more myself but hungry as all get-out, to a huge thunderstorm that was literally vibrating the walls of our house. The power and internet went out, and as we learned later, our city — which doesn’t get them — had been hit by three tornadoes.
Half the city’s residents were without power, trees and branches were down, buildings were damaged. Local schools, colleges, and universities were closed. I didn’t care — after essentially a whole day without food, I wanted to eat and I had nothing in the house that didn’t require cooking.
Luckily we found a local breakfast/lunch restaurant that was open and serving, so I was able to feed the ravening beast. My husband had some food, too.
Also luckily, once the storm passed the weather was helpful, with high temperatures only in the mid-70s and acceptable humidity levels, so being without air conditioning was okay. (When we lost power — for two weeks — after Hurricane Charley back in August of 2004, that was definitely not the case.)
Our power was restored after 27 hours, and internet followed another 10 hours later. Phew!!!
But of course, my writing schedule was thrown for a loop, and once we did have power and internet back, I had pressing tasks in the life administration area to deal with. So I’m just now getting my groove back. This morning I achieved my word count goal again.
Now, if I can just do that for a while. . .
What I’m Reading
Murder at the Bookstore by Sue Minix
This is the first book I’ve read by Sue Minix, and the first in the Bookstore Mystery series featuring Jen Dawson.
Jen has written a successful mystery book, but now she’s suffering a bad case of writer’s block as she tries to pen her second. Why did she ever take that contract?
She’s back in the small hometown she fled years ago for the bright city lights, and she’s found the perfect haven. It’s a small bookshop where she can sit with her coffee and write — or not.
Then her safe space becomes distinctly unsafe when the owner is brutally murdered and Jen becomes a suspect.
Other than the misleading title — although the bookstore plays a major role, the murder doesn’t actually take place there — I found this book a lot of fun. Minix presents an interesting puzzle, some fun red herrings, and an unexpected twist or two. I will definitely pick up the next in this series.
The Baker Street Murders by Emily Organ
Augusta Peel is one of my favorite main characters, and this is the seventh book she features in.
During the war, she served in one of the secret services, alongside her friend Philip Fisher. Now she owns a used bookshop and solves crimes with him.
In The Baker Street Murders, Augusta and Philip are trying to solve a very cold case — 10 years cold, in fact. But the situation hots up suddenly when someone else dies. At the same time, Augusta is fighting off an obnoxious newspaper reporter who’s threatening to expose her real name, something that could pose a serious danger to her and to others who served in secret capacities during the war.
Buy Me a Chai
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Wise Words
Time to play another round of “what the heck is that word choice?” The object of this game is to convince you it’s important to choose your words carefully.
Here’s this week’s quote:
The warring knights were followed by a colourful display of flag swirling, a trio of jugglers, and then a _____ of traditional dancers, accompanied by a little band playing authentic-looking, medieval instruments.
- Murder on the Italian Riviera by TA Williams
This is from a British author, so British spelling is fine — not trying to trick you here.
Here’s the word choice.
That’s it for this week. I’ll be back next Wednesday with the answer (and hopefully a less eventful week!)
I'm glad you're feeling better and civilization in your neck of the woods is up and running again. We (along with most rural NH residents) own a generator because our power cuts out pretty often, usually in winter. If we run out of gas, we have a woodstove for backup. My nephews are always impressed by our well stocked pantry (my brother-in-law and his wife live in a very civilized suburban area, so don't keep a lot of canned /dried goods in stock, they tend to shop for food a few times a week - I usually go every two weeks). I figure that it's a good idea to be prepared, just in case. Baked beans might not be the most luxurious supper, but one can eat them cold, if necessary. I'm happy to hear that you're back on track with your writing!