November 2, 2006 | writing
I need to write.
I really want to get this book started so I feel as if I’ve got a handle on it before the baby comes. And I have been trying…sort of. I sat down and tried to do a character questionnaire for my heroine, Eleanor. But it didn’t work; I couldn’t get beyond question four. I’ve had several insights about the hero, Hugh, but as this book is going to be written in first person from Eleanor’s point of view, I need to know her much better than the hero. And I don’t, quite.
What I think I need to do is just to sit down and write the first scene of the book. That will force me to take Eleanor’s point of view and it will give me a feeling of her.
Thing is, I just don’t feel like it! I want a rest. I just finished a book two weeks ago and I have been working my butt off getting ready for the baby. I’ve been on half term and now I’m on maternity leave and I haven’t yet had a day when I haven’t worked or done a major chore. I spent all of yesterday at Ikea and could happily spend all of today putting furniture together.
However. Whining isn’t going to help. So I pledge that tonight I will sit down and write that first scene.
Right after I download “Elenore” by The Turtles. And “Eleanor Put Your Boots On” by Franz Ferdinand. And “Eleanor” by someone called The Willies. All of which are bound to help.
Jessica Raymond says:
((Julie))
Rest if you need to. That’s more important than anything.
Don’t forget “Eleanor Rigby”!
Jess x
Kate Bimbo says:
Sending you a hug. I know that “I don’t want to start this book” feeling. Very, very well, right now.
Thought about Lindisfarne’s “Lady Eleanor”? And the obvious would be the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby”. (Though I’m afraid I keep seeing Leonard Rossiter nodding his head, saying, “Miss Jones”…)
Julie says:
I’ve got “Eleanor Rigby” already, though it’s too sad a song for this book. The Turtles fit much better. “Elenor, gee I think you’re swell, and you really do me well, you’re my pride and joy et cetera”…
Oh, and while I’m whining, every time I bend over, I want to throw up because the baby pushes on my stomach.
Julie says:
(Thanks for hugs, she says in a grump, but appreciative.)
Michelle Styles says:
It could be worse. You could have that I don’t want to start ch4 even though I have been really looking forward to this scene feeling.
Lindisfarne’s Lady Eleanor is great.
Why not put the furniture together and use it as thinking time. Generally the thought of doing housework makes me sit down and write…
Kate Hussy says:
Michelle, what’s housework? :o)
Julie, do I detect that someone is desperate for the baby to arrive? Don’t do what I did and convince yourself that he’s going to be 2 weeks early. (Surefire way to make him 2 weeks late and give you a month of feeling really grumpy. Been there, worn t-shirt - I was meant to be the first of our NCT group to deliver and I was next to last!)
Off for another mug of honey and lemon. Mutter, mutter. Kids and lurgies.
Karen says:
Aw, Julie rest if you want! You deserve it, you’re making a baby and it’s exhausting!!!
But I understand the urge. It can’t be stopped…
Sue aka MsCreativity says:
Julie, I agree with Karen, you should rest. Rest as much as you can between now and the baby arriving.
I’m finding that the more I rest when my body’s telling me to (I’m not having a baby, just fatigue etc. with MS), the more my characters are talking to me and the more I’m writing.
IMO I don’t think you should feel guilty about not writing right now; your life is going through major changes and it’s more important that you prepare for the baby than worry about getting to know your characters if they’re not cooperating.
Hugs,
Sue
Nell Dixon says:
Take a day off, listen to your body. You’ll find the book will work itself out in your mind when you’re relaxed. Big hugs
Amanda Ashby says:
Julie, trying to fight baby hormones is a nightmare. I struggled to do any writing while I was pregnant, however, once they were born it all became a lot easier (even with sleep deprivation and the rest of it).