THE WEEK IN REVIEW. MAYBE.
I don’t know about you, but when I’m trying to convince myself to get up in the morning I go over my week in my head. It was hard to convince myself that yesterday morning was Sunday, because I had gone to church the day before --- granted, it was a funeral I attended, not a real service, but I already felt “churched.” I had to persuade myself it was truly another day I had to shower early and dress nicely.
This morning I was more on the right page, at least obligation-wise. I have a phone interview at 4 p.m. Tuesday I have a dental appointment at 9:45. Wednesday-Friday, clear so far. BFF Paula (my buddy and assistant) arrives on Friday night, we work on Saturday and I have a radio interview at 12:30. Next Sunday I am supposed to go to an afternoon tea, a fund-raiser for animal rescue.
But everything on that list is extra stuff. ALL WEEK I have to write and write and write. I’m heading into the home stretch for “Night Shift,” though not as close to the finish line as I’d hoped to be. There will be no free moments.
That’s the week in anticipation. It’s my easiest week for a month or more, I think. Late April, May, and June are very busy for me. That is the norm, since I’ve had a May book for the last fifteen years.
Writers’ schedules are notoriously irregular, swinging between long periods of necessary solitude and short, frenetic bursts of socializing at conventions. I find it’s easier to pace myself when I can lay a calendar out at the beginning of the year: that’s when I’m deciding which conventions I’m going to attend and the speaking engagements I’ll accept. I know now that May and June are always busy, that I don’t like accepting much of anything from November through February, and so on.
I’m trying to train myself to say “no” more often, but I had a few moments of weakness this year, and as a result I have about three more events than I like to have. In 2016, I’ll be tougher!
Charlaine Harris
It's all the "extra" stuff, Charlaine, on top of the writing, that seems to take up so much time. And it's also the prep for the extra stuff (like getting to the post office with contest prizes and booking travel). Hang in there and be tougher!
Posted by: Dana Cameron | April 13, 2015 at 06:55 AM
I must be, Dana. At least I'm turning down some things, now. But I always have a twinge of guilt when I do. Boy, am I southern.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | April 13, 2015 at 07:32 AM
Just say no.It's so difficult!
You know Wally Lamb? He told me once he has a 3x5 card taped to his landline phone..and on it, one word. NO.
To remind him.
Posted by: Hank Phillippi Ryan | April 13, 2015 at 08:30 AM
That's a great idea, Hank. And one I should implement. I do enjoy meeting readers, I enjoy it a lot, but not only should I be home working (!), I'm past 60 and have to stretch my energy a bit farther.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | April 13, 2015 at 08:43 AM
Your books have got me back into reading. That's something that I was unable to do for several years when my schedule was too hectic. I am disabled now with a laundry list of problems and I really enjoy your books. So from one Arkansas gal to another;good luck in all you do.look forward to any new books that you come out with.
Posted by: Leona Villines | April 13, 2015 at 09:49 AM
Leona, you couldn't tell me anything that made me happier. I'm so glad you are able to read, and I hope your life becomes easier. Thanks for letting me know that my books have given you a lift.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | April 13, 2015 at 10:08 AM
It is hard to say know, Charlaine, especially since, besides being southern, you're a nice person. But time doesn't stretch like bubblegum. Keep saying no when you have to, and think of your readers who want that new book.
Posted by: ElaineViets | April 13, 2015 at 10:20 AM
GACK! I meant NO, not know.
Having a serious case of the Mondays, ya know?
Posted by: ElaineViets | April 13, 2015 at 10:21 AM
Oh, but I had a good laugh, Elaine. And you're so right, time DOESN'T stretch like bubblegum. There's only a finite amount of it!
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | April 13, 2015 at 11:00 AM
And then there's the fact that all the things that call to us to do them are such good ways of procrastinating from writing. Show me a writer with a clean house and I'll show you a writer with a looming deadline!
Posted by: Donna Andrews | April 13, 2015 at 11:03 AM
Oh, I know. The top half of my mind is telling me I should clean out my closet. The bottom is telling me to finish the book. I need to listen to the bottom.
Posted by: Charlaine Harris | April 13, 2015 at 11:06 AM