$1 U.S. to the first person to correctly identify the source of the quote in the title of this post.
I have been writing more lately, just not of the Blogger variety. And not the kind my job requires (God knows I do enough of that), but the kind that I love. What, me, keep a New Year's Resolution? It's still just March, so let's not get our hopes too high. Although the "get your lazy ass out of bed NOW" post-it notes I've been sticking on my alarm clock have helped not only the "write more" resolution, but also the "work out more" one, too. (Well -- so far I've worked out three times in 2006 -- once a month isn't bad, right?) I swear, once it gets warmer I'll start jogging again. Thanks again, Mom, for the metabolism, among other things.
Speaking of inspiration --
my new notebook, by popular demand. I tried to upload a photo, but Blogger's being mean and won't let me. Hooray for finally getting a Moleskine. Typing on the computer may be papercut free, but that's one of the few advantages. The last thing I want to do after staring at a computer screen the majority of my workday is come home and stare at a screen some more. The Moleskine is, in its very simplicity, inspiring to me. Plain black cover, lined pages. That's all. No silly designs on the pages or the cover to get me distracted from my writing. (It doesn't take much to distract me!)
I was on a roll for a few days, and the story that's been in my head has steadily made its way to my notebook pages. It's all just bits and pieces now, but it's a start.
Mostly I'm inspired by a note I wrote myself about six months ago, with goals for my writing career, and a list of things I want to accomplish by the time I am 25, 30, 35. I know those lists usually don't accomplish anything, but I've said it before, I do best with deadlines! I found the note last weekend, and realized, hey, I'm way behind.
My sister, who detests writing herself but loves to read what I've written, gave me a quote a few years ago:
"Inspiration is the act of drawing up a chair to the writing desk." I love that quote, because it's so true. Sometimes the hardest part is just sitting down and actually picking up the pen, but once you do, the next hardest part is putting down the pen. Erin has always been my sounding board when I have a story idea. When I was still in high school and she went off to college, I would send her chapters of a novel I was working on (but haven't finished, of course).
She was home earlier this week for Spring Break and we had a slumber party, and we stayed up so I could work out some kinks in my future-bestselling novel. (She already has it selling a million copies in her head -- that's the kind of sounding board every aspiring writer should have!) We also worked on the naming problem, after the "Phantom of the Opera" problem (lol). Oh, and she thinks it's funny that I have a bunch of "Internet friends."
I think it's funny that she's lived without the Internet in her apartment for the past 3 years or so. The horror!
And the other thing... as Sal knows from my comments at the bar (and conversation with Ironporer), I might go to Spain this fall. I'd really rather go this summer, because I'm impatient, but going in the fall would make so much more financial sense. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high, but OK, I'll just come out and say it...
I'M SO EXCITED! :) So is my little "family" in Madrid, who is ready to roll out the Bienvenidos mat. Pray for no giant unanticipated expenses between now and November. C'mon, car, don't crap out on me now... 87K miles is nothing! Stop making those noises! (WHAT was I thinking when I bought a Pontiac? Next car will be a Honda, or a Toyota...)
Figured out where the quote is from yet? Here's another hint, if you need it: "OK, positive statement. Ringing affirmative. I'm a writer."
Yes... I'll just keep telling myself that.
Off to clean the apartment. See you back here in a month. :)
