Finished up the program I was working on at work. It actually turned out pretty nifty. I put a few more bells and whistles on the final product than my end user requested, and she’s very pleased with them (and me).
Y’know, as sick as it sounds, I actually like programming. I start out with some task that needs to be accomplished, and then when I’m done, I’ve created this nifty new tool that does it.
Although I could use fewer days like yesterday where I was so sucked into fixing up my program that I didn’t even stop for lunch . . .
On writing:
Less warm-glowies on that front. I’ve hit a wall. Every new paragraph I crank out feels like I’m pulling teeth. And when I re-read what I have managed to force out, I’m disheartened by the level of crapitude I’m producing. Argh.
Slut-bitch-whore muse. Grr.
“Every new paragraph I crank out feels like I’m pulling teeth. And when I re-read what I have managed to force out, I’m disheartened by the level of crapitude I’m producing. Argh.”
Been there, multiple times. There are few things more frustrating than putting so much effort into wrestling the words into submission, only to decide afterward that they were the wrong words in the first place, and while you were struggling with them, the right words fled into the wilderness and have long since bounded away to rejoin the herd somewhere else.
You’re a fellow writer, so any advice I could give amounting to “keep writing anyway and you’ll get through it” would be singing to the choir, so I’m not sure what else to say except good luck. I know how much this sort fo thing sucks. 🙁
BTW, I’ve found that this sort of thing happens to me somewhat less when I outline my stuff ahead of time–possibly because even if I’m not sure what to write on a given day, at least I know where I’m supposed to be going with it. Not a foolproof method by any means, but something to consider.
“while you were struggling with them, the right words fled into the wilderness and have long since bounded away to rejoin the herd somewhere else.“
Heh heh heh. Well, you’re obviously not having a problem with your choice words scampering off into the wilds. I think my good words have joined up with yours and they’re all corralled together, grazing peacefully in your holding pen. You word rustler, you!
“BTW, I’ve found that this sort of thing happens to me somewhat less when I outline my stuff ahead of time“
There you go again, luring me to the dark side. Sadly, I do have an outline for this baby. It’s not detailed or anything, but I know what’s going to happen and how it’s going to end. But I think what’s happening here is that I’m experiencing Eugie-outlining-doom again.
Sigh. Writerly mayhem and angst galore.
Word rustler? Me? Not at all! Those words in that pen over there, them’s mine, bought and paid for. Always have been. And–uhh–that brand that looks an awful lot like an “E” on their sides? That’s, umm, a sideways “M”! Like in “Mouse!” They were just being ornery that day with the branding iron, and I couldn’t mark ’em straight. Yeah, that’s it! Really…
“There you go again, luring me to the dark side.”
Well, yeah. It’s SO much more fun over here. And the outfits are way cooler.
Hah! I knew it! You’ve been rustling my words. Well, I’m a gonna get my trusty shotgun . . .
Except, dang. They look so happy, gamboling around in your corral and all. Sigh. You’re probably feeding them premium word chow and letting them watch late night cable.
I guess you can keep ’em. They’re happier with you . . . but can I maybe visit them occasionally?
Not only can you visit, but if they breed and produce any new words, you’ve got first crack at the ones I auction off. 😉
Ooo! First pick of the litter. Can’t ask for better than that! Hot diggity.
Bah! Knowing how it will end is for sissies!
Yah, I try to tell that, and yet . . .
naps.
People underestimate the value of naps when you are a writer. I always find that after an hour or two of napping, I wake up and feel much more refreshed and creative than before going to sleep. I also seem to dream a lot more vividly while I sleep during the day, and this contributes to the creative process. Whee.
Re: naps.
Actually, I’m a big fan of naps. Naps, rah! But the jury’s still out on whether it helps my creative process. A lot of times a nap, especially one in the evening, just turns into sleepy-bye part 1 that occurs before I get ready to go to bed and turn in for the night. Heh.
I have written a story based on a dream, though. But dreams that are vivid enough to stick in memory or coherent enough to form a tale around are few and far between for me. Sigh.