A Day in the Life

- from Susan

 

Ah, the writer’s life. So glamorous, so self-indulgent, so creative, so free.

So wrong.

8 a.m. Walk with friend for an hour even though it’s chilly and I’m coffee-deprived, because I don’t get enough exercise and am getting this funny thing encircling what was once my waist.

9:30 a.m. check email, Facebook, Twitter news online. Try not to get distracted by  breaking news that Lindsey Lohan walked into a courtroom this morning.

10:00 Beg the plumber to fit me in this week because what was at one time a maddening slow drip is turning into a menacing gurgle.

11:00 Pay the bills because if I don’t get them in the mail today, I’m going to pay late charges, which I detest.

12 noon. Walk to Post Office because writing checks is not enough and, anyway, I don’t have enough stamps. Stop at grocery store because another thing I don’t have is lunch. 

1 p.m. Settle at desk to start writing.

1:15 Peek at Facebook.

1:30 Peek at New York Times online.

1:45 Open manuscript file, re-read what I wrote yesterday, decide it needs work, and revise, killing quite a few not-so-darlings.

2:30 Make a fresh pot of coffee and nibble a chocolate chip cooking while thinking.

2:45 Mentally compile shopping list while starting a load of laundry.

3:00 Tell myself I cannot put it off any longer, put fingers on keyboard and start writing the new scene in which Dani runs into her ex, who’s driving a sports car he has apparently purchased, and who wants to help her by shadowing someone while driving a bright yellow Maserati.

7:00 Look up from the computer, realize it’s too late to start the slow-cooking recipe, and order take-out from the Chinese restaurant.

9:00 Re-read today’s work. Not bad, moves plot forward, some humor, gives her a chance to display character.

9:15 Watch episode of “A Touch of Frost” to hear well-written dialogue and get inspiration for improving my own writing.

11:00 Realize I forgot to pay an important bill, didn’t return library books, left wet laundry in the washing machine, and neglected to call a friend back about lunch tomorrow.

Such an exciting life.

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Camille Minichino]

You forgot to tell us about that one great line or piece of dialogue you wrote, Susan. I know it's in there, and it makes the whole day a "success!"

[Ann]

A great description of "a day in the life of." But, like Camille, I'd love to hear your "favorite line of the day." :-)

[Susan C Shea]

Hah - if I knew which line it was, I'd share. But it takes a little distance to sort the wheat from the chaff!