Happy New Year! And what's more happy than a crowd of stressed-out, insecure writers? Maybe a sleighful of elves on their way to Cancun for a Christmas-recovery bash? Well, you guys deserve it. Also working like Santa and his elves are our host, Alex J. Cavannaugh and his merry band of cohosts: Tyrean Martinson, Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor, Megan Morgan, Jennifer Lane, and Rachna Chhabria!
This month's fabulous question: What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?
I had an excellent plan. Pure brilliance. Ready? I was going to write even if I felt bad. Yep, I'm one of those wusses who might let an afternoon of precious writing time slide by because I stubbed my toe or sneezed extra hard. But no more!
It's time to buck up and type even with a pimple in my ear or a hole in my sock. Time to get some work flowing. Yeah, baby!
And then, on the first day of the shiny, new year, I got a migraine. That's what I get for making bold plans. It's a little like saying you're going to write, no matter what, and then a elephant drops out of the clear blue onto your laptop and then proceeds to eat all your pens, pencils, and spare paper. Really?
But it's okay. I have medicine. I have time to recover while my darlings tackle the insanity that is middle school. Best of all, migraines come with super-sleepy powers. Man, I could snooze through a howling blizzard--um, I think I did that already. Twice, considering the snow piling up outside.
What's my next brilliant plan? I'll let you know, right after my nap.
So here's the deal. The family is out of danger, as are any pets. Heck, I'll even throw in the laptop, since that's another obvious save. So you have a second to grab something silly, not necessarily nostalgic. What would it be?
It's tempting to pick artwork. There's a ton of paintings, drawing, and sculptures by me and my kids that can't be replaced, but I couldn't carry it all and I'd probably be overcome by the smoke deciding which pieces to grab.
My pillow. It's old, probably infested with bedbugs, but it's a ridiculously squishy contour model I'm not sure is made anymore. I take it with me whenever I travel, even if I have to give up suitcase space for other stuff, like say, clothes.
How was your Christmas? Having a Happy New Year so far?
I could never pick just one thing to save. My cat probably.
The best laid plans, right? Migraines are a force of nature. I've tried to work through a few and it usually just ends with me sitting in a dark, quiet room, not working.
I love that you selected your pillow.
Sounds like you still have a good plan, and you don't have to feel bad about not writing with a migraine. Hope it's better. Congrats to Chrys on her new book.
I get migraines too. They really knock you back and undermine any plans you may have. :-( I love that you'd take your pillow with you.
Having finally dropped my day job, I now have to make sure I'm more disciplined about the writing. And having had to buy a new iPad, I've found I can't transfer my stories, except one at a time, by email.
A comfortable pillow is priceless.
Just kick that elephant to the curb. Or get someone big to do it for you.
Isn't that how it always works? You commit to something and BAM. That's life! Hope you feel better soon and get back to all the writing.
Arg, migraines are the worst!!! Thank the Lord for medicine!!! I'm sure you'll be back in the saddle quickly!!! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for participating in my blogfest!
Happy New Year!!! And best of luck to you in 2018!
So sorry about that migraine. Let's hope it was the last of the year and you can get back to that writing plan.
Sorry to hear about your migraine. I get one about every 4-5 years, and they're heinous.
I'd save my 30-year-old stuffed cat Davy, who was made by my late paternal grandma. He's my Velveteen Rabbit.
You make the best plans and then certain health issues just have to crop up and ruin it by saying "Not today! MUHAAHAHAHA"
No fair to hit with a migraine the first day out! Hope it passed quickly. I bet that comfy pillow helped.
Sounds like you have a very comfy pillow!
Migraines used to wipe out my mother for days. Not fair it hit you right off the bat. But, maybe good to get it over with right away.
I need my pillow to sleep too! I get you on the "write every day" thing and having it go awry. I considered doing that, and realized it wasn't going to work with my life, so I went with a weekly goal instead. I hope the medicine kicks in and you have a good nap.
Migraines are justification for any slacking. Hope it's long gone now!
And the pillow...how could I not have thought of that! I, too, have a unique pillow that seems to be just right in a way no other is. But I'll stick with my bread pans.
Oh, and as for 'write every day,' I'm not too bad about that when it IS writing. But when it comes to editing, well, that stubbed toe is definitely an adequate excuse for a break.
I hope you stick to it and write even when you feel bad. That is good medicine. Often, I come in my office when I have a headache or feel a pain in my knees or whatever and sit down to write and the pain disappears.
I love the writing cat! Too bad I can't type anywhere near that fast.
Great cat gif. A migraine would surely scramble any writing plan. I hope you don't have them often.
I love that cat gif! I have a crescent travel pillow, too, but I'm not sure I'd think to save it from the fire. A migraine on the first day? That's truly the epitome of a head game!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I love your plan (and your napping abilities). I can't believe I didn't consider trying to save my travel pillow. I love that thing.
Haha, a hole in the sock is an awesome excuse. I'll have to use it sometime :) I'm like you, finding reasons not to write every day unless I absolutely, positively have to.
A pillow is an excellent choice. If you'd have to stay in an unfamiliar place at least you'd have the comfort of your pillow.
Haha I'm the same way! I won't even try to write if I have a cold or even a bad day at work. Or cramps. Good lord nothing is getting done if I have cramps.
Hey, a pillow's a good choice. You'd want to be comfortable, right?
Ugh, migraines sound really awful. I have trouble writing unless I'm rested and caffeinated and exercised, so I would find it difficult to push through when I'm not feeling it! Happy New Year, Tamara.
It sounds like you tempted fate a bit too much. ;) I hope you're feeling better from the migraine and are getting some writing done. Happy New Year!
Sorry about your migraine. Life always has a way of kicking those plans right out of the way. That's okay, there are 364 other days. :) Hey, when you find 'the one' when it comes to pillows they are worth saving!
Your funny post, made me laugh Tamara. I'm sorry that you've been dealing with a migraine. I have sisters and friends who struggle with them, so you have my sympathy. Sometimes I feel like the gif kitty ~ I just keep going next, next, next trying to get through it all. I wish writing would flow at that pace. Stay safe and dry and warm through the snowstorm.
Tamara, sorry to hear your 2018 got off to a rough start. Get better soon and here's to a healthy and prosperous 2018!
lol your pillow that is definitely a unique choice! I hope 2018 get's better Happy New Year!
Hope you hang in there and here's wishing you a prosperous new year. Best wishes!
Sorry to hear about your migraine. Hope all is well now. Here on the East Coast, we have our own blizzard, Grayson. I wish you every success in 2018, Tamara!
Ugh- starting the year off with a migraine is not fun. I had a terrible headache for two days. I think it had to do with the barometric pressure. Good luck with your writing plans!
A good pillow is gold.
You were right with your guess of Brienne of Tarth as the Funko Pop at my blog! I love her loyalty and bravery so much.
I hope today finds you migraine-free and ready to rock 'n roll on those resolutions.
Yikes, I struggle with migraines too so I was sorry to read this. I hope you are feeling much better now.
And I love the pillow idea! I have had the same pillow for decades and I honestly don't know what I'd do without it. Whenever I buy a new one I hate it LOL.
Sounds like you found the solution to a good nap! Congrats to Chrys!
Sorry to hear about the migraines. My family suffers from them (I've been spared so far) and all of them swear by caffeine with the pain med at the first sign of a migraine.
Or maybe they are just all caffeine addicts having rebound headaches. Who knows!
Happy much belated New Year. Hope your plan was back on track once you recovered from the migraine. Migraines are the worst. Before I found the right meds, I missed out on so much.
It's not easy to write when you feel like crap, so I applaud you!