Friday, August 28, 2009

Back to work!

I'm very lucky that going "back to work" for me just means rearranging my writing room a little. And my schedule, of course. Gone -- for now -- are the days of noodling for hours and hours with a manuscript. There are snatched hours to be had, though. An hour here, an hour there, not a moment to waste. I am "back to work" in a small way and feeling good!

I've heard from various sources that having this new [adorable, endlessly fascinating] demand on one's time can have the effect of making one more efficient. I am determined to make that true of myself. I've never been an efficient writer. I'm a futzer, forever messing about with sentences, lingering too long in scenes and perfecting them rather than moving along and getting more scenes written. It's a problem. So I'm really hoping that schedule desperation makes me grow as a writer, conquer some of my issues. It's not a matter for *hope* of course. I mean, it's all up to me. It's a matter of making it happen. The attitude to have is that I can, and will.

(The Little Engine That Could. Ooh, I need to add that to Clementine's growing library. And man is her library growing! I have a lot of picture books that I've been collecting for years, but I didn't have any board books or cloth books, and it's great having bookish friends, writers and publishers, because we've been absolutely flooded with book love. Thank you to everyone who's contributed to Clementine's library! I read to her a little, and I eagerly anticipate the time that she will engage with the page, look at the pictures, and get familiar with the words. Not that I'm in a rush. I'm already really wistful about how fast she's growing. So true, what "they" say, about how crazy-fast it goes! She's already outgrown her tiniest onesies, which is so bittersweet. So soon, she won't even be a newborn anymore.)

Anyway, here's the interim writing room set-up, with my two *helpers*:

And yesterday at bath time ...
Now, let's see if I can work on that efficiency issue ...

15 comments:

Emilie said...

Remember at the SCBWI-WWA conference this year, so many of the panelists talked about publishing their first books while pregnant or shortly after giving birth? Maybe there's something to that. Now if only I could convince my husband...:)

Keep posting Clementine pics, Laini--she's so darling!

Sarah said...

Oh my God, she's a kewpie doll! Only, not freaky like a kewpie doll. Totally adorable!

BJW said...

Good luck Laini. Love your two helpers. I'm striving for better writing efficiency myself, but will try to refrain from having a baby to accomplish it.

Maybe I should rethink if it works.

K said...

I think you'll do great! I've found that since my baby was born (he's just over 8 months now), I've been so much more focused and efficient in my writing. In truth, after years of starting and stopping with every writing project I started, this is the first time I've managed to write continuously and keep motivated. I'm finally almost done with the first draft of my novel. And I really believe it has something to do with my little miracle. :D

Your baby is adorable! God bless!

Amber Lough said...

ADORABLE. :-)

I'll be getting back to work, too, on Monday. Elizabeth starts preschool then, so I'll be back to writing at nap times (if Henry cooperates).

Deirdre said...

I have no doubt you'll find a way to write amazing books and raise a wonderful child at the same time. And what cutie she is - so huggable.

Amber said...

OH.My.Gosh-- What a little sweet nugget!! She looks like her name! Perfect. *happy sigh*

:)

Lisa Schroeder said...

I have never seen SUCH a cute distraction. It will be a miracle if you get any work done. :)

Realm Lovejoy said...

Omg--Clementine is *so* adorable. Seriously.

Sometimes, I find that the busier I am, the more I get done...I wrote my first novel during the busiest time of my life.

storyqueen said...

I think it's natural when there is less time to try and make better use of it.

Just allow yourself to ease back in, that's the hardest part for me.

Clementine was totally posing in the last pic!

Shelley

P.S. Speaking of adding to Clementine's library.....I know of a book she should have. Would it be strange if I sent it?

Vivian Mahoney said...

Clementine is beautiful. Love the photo.

Marianne said...

I'm confident you can do anything Laini - but also hope you'll be very gentle and kind with yourself on days when sweet Clementine Pie keeps you deliciously distracted all day long.

x
M

myrna said...

You guys are so welcome. I hope Clementine loves the books as much as mine did. It's so much fun to see her changing already in the pictures you're posting!

I stole a lovely writing session (with all of my kids home from school no less) for the first time in a long while. I let myself go back over the first part of my book instead of pressing forward like I have been doing, and I had a great idea that will solve some plot problems I've been wrestling with for months. B. I. C. It would have been so easy not to be there today, and then what would I have done?

Love you girl! I'm so glad Clementine is a sweetheart and lets you sleep!

Hello. said...

I love your writing space, but I love your little darling more. What a sweetie! Congratulations on both!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

hard to write when looking at that cutie pie!