The Week…Ugh
This wasn’t a good a week for me. Non-productive. Boring. Achy from walking lopsided because of the crutches and walking boot. Finally stir crazy after all these weeks at home babying the broken foot. Ignoring the things I need to do to my new website/blog. And creeping doubt at my ability to get in there and finish revisions on my work in process….and whether the novel I just finished is such complete crap my publisher will laugh me out of the business….and so on.
This photo grabbed from a Northern Colorado Writers conference video pretty much says it all. This was before they gave me chocolate….hmmmm….maybe I just need the chocolate cure!
Apparently I’m not the only one with creeping doubt about writing stuff, though. Author Kerry Schafer’s post called simply “Doubt” showed up on Evil League of Evil Writers blog on Thursday.
And back on May 4th, J.C. Lynne posted this one called “Post Book Depression” on her blog. It’s one more form of the “I just can’t do it today/week/month syndrome.”
Like the rest of us, I’ll get it over it in a minute/hour/month. Spring fever never lasts forever.
And I have exciting things to look forward to as soon as I shed this stupid walking boot. Getting out of the house for lunch sounds wonderful (I’m thinking a spinach/cheese/egg/ham galette at La Creperie or perhaps a delicious turkey Reuben from Fiona’s). And I’ll be catching up with TCBY frozen yogurt, too.
I’m Getting a Lot of Reading Done
I finished a classic sci fi novel that I, in my sci fi ignorance, had never heard of until recently. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, originally published in 1974, is worth a read just for the bizarre predictions….some of which are creepy because they’re so close to becoming real.
Now I’m reading a post-apocalyptic adventure called Seeds by Colorado author Chris Mandeville. It’s a multiple-point-of-view page turner, and I’m liking it a lot.
And a couple of days ago I received an advance copy of Mountain Rampage, a national park mystery by Scott Graham. Scott will be my guest blogger on June 11th, an appearance I was anxious to set up because Mountain Rampage is set in Rocky Mountain National Park, just 45 minutes from my house, and although I don’t know Scott personally, he is a Coloradoan (and you know how much I love promoting our Colorado authors).
And Watching a Few Movies
Did you see Birdman? What did you think? I did not understand one minute of that movie.
I liked Big Eyes and The Equalizer though.
If you have any movies to recommend, let me know. With all my favorite series now ending their season, I need movies (both DVD and Streaming) to watch for evening relaxation (when I’m not reading, of course). I hear the new season of Longmire starts on Netflix June 2nd. I’m looking forward to that. And I think there should be new episodes of Orange is the New Black coming soon. I hope so.
How are the rest of you doing? Am I the only one with a big case of spring fever?
I’m glad you’re getting back into the swing of things, Pat. We’ve missed you at critique group and need our fearless leader back 😉 I recommend watching The One I Love on Netflix; it’s with Elizabeth Moss from Mad Men. I also liked Take Me Home. The husband and I have gotten into watching Daredevil, even though it’s a bit more violent for my tastes; I’m hooked.
I’ll check out your suggestions, April. I’m going to give Game of Thrones a try too. I’ve done such a good job of cleaning up the stuff that hits my email Inbox that I’m finding plenty of time to relax with books and movies. Of course, limiting my time on social media helps a little.
Hi Patricia … well it’s good to see the site up and working .. even if it’s not to your desired standard … but breaking your foot – isn’t the best idea and then all that healing time … I sure hope things are easing for you …
I’m finally catching up with the A-Z … had another major project on the go .. and both knocked me off my perch with a ‘nasty bug thing’ that’s been doing the rounds … slowly coming out of it now. The hip has healed .. so can march out … I’m very lucky: and yes driving again was bliss!
Good luck with all things – never fancied Birdman … I did see Still Alice – it was an interesting watch … and a necessary one … if we know people who have to deal with Alzheimers … I’m glad I saw it – though thankfully we all seem to be ok …. cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary! It is really good to start getting back to normal after getting a bit of surgery, isn’t it? I’ll do this again in August for knee replacement, but at least I’ll be up and walking sooner for that.
I have Still Alice on my list to watch soon. The story reminds me of the author Iris Murdoch who suffered from Alzheimers. It’s a very sad movie, but like you, I think we need to be aware for ourselves and for our friends and family.
I’m sorry about your foot. I remember hurting my back a few years ago, during summer vacation, and feeling that way. I just looked up Birdman and would like to see it.
I hope you like Birdman, Medeia. And if you do, please come back and enlighten me about what it meant!
I think all of us get that feeling of restlessness sometimes, Pat, especially when we’ve been more cooped-up than usual, as you’ve been lately. I hope you heal up quickly, so you can get around a little better. And about the writing? We all go through that ‘Doubt’ thing. As you say, it passes…
Yes, cooped-up is a good way to put it. The first time I get back out in the car with me behind the wheel and my checkbook and credit card in hand, I’m going to have a very good day!!
If you like non-linear storytelling and black humor, Patricia, revisit some of the Coen brothers’ movies. My favorites are “Fargo”, “No Country for Old Men”, and “Burn After Reading”. The performances are wonderful and the stories take such unexpected turns you’re surprised at every turn.
I’m a Coen brothers fan, too. Allan. Not sure I’ve seen “Burn After Reading” though so I’ll check it out. Thanks!
Birdman was one screwed up movie. So were all the characters.
Best thing to watch now is the Daredevil series on NetFlix. Even if you don’t like superheros, you’ll like the show.
I do like superheros, Alex, so I’ll check out Daredevil. Thanks!