Wednesday Wanderings – Staples

That was easy

Are all writers office supply junkies?  I suppose there are only rare instances of “all”, but I know a lot who are.  I go in to Staples as though it were a toy store.  From the little things I can always afford – like my favorite pens or colored paperclips – to the things I drool over – like *enormous* computer screens and high end laptops – I adore going in there and spending time. My kids know, once mommy’s at Staples, we’re going to be in there a while.

I sit at the desks they have set up and imagine my dream writing room.  I trail a finger over bookcases and picture them lining the walls of my office and filled, in part, with books I have written.  I page through organizers in the fervent hope that one day I will find one that magically organizes me forever (oh, admit it – you hope it’s out there too).  I take in the colors of pens and markers, thinking of the things I could create with them. I breathe in the leather of computer bags.  It’s a sensory heaven.

It's in here somewhere

“Did you find everything you needed?” they ask me at the check out.  If I’ve only bought what I came in for, it’s a miracle.  Usually, I’ve found what I needed and WAY too much more.  I’ve whittled my basket down to what I can a) make work on the day’s budget and b) what I cannot pass up.  So the answer is yes, I found what I needed and a whole lot more that I simply wanted.

What’s the store you can’t get out of?

Tuesday Tell All – The Lull and a Return to Discipline

So WAVES OF PLEASURE is done and with a copy editor and I’m working on edits and new scene ideas for PEAK EXPERIENCE, but it’s been over two weeks since I wrote daily.

And that’s not good.

Time to jump back into the deep end!

Yes, I needed the break and to relax and recharge.  But now I need to get back to the words.  A week of 500 words a day, then up it to at least 750-1000 until I’m at 1,500 a day, which I discovered is the best amount for me to write in a day without churning out too much junk.  Getting back to a discipline is frustrating and challenging.  Makes me annoyed to have let the discipline go in the first place (I’m the same way with exercise and food).  Fortunately, I know the benefits!

A couple of good days in a row and I’ll feel back on track and the momentum should carry me.  Otherwise, I turn into a body at rest… and I tend to stay at rest.

How do you get back in the groove?

Monday Writer’s Prompt – I’d be rich

I’m in kind of a dreaming mood today. Sort of that “what if…” feeling. Now usually that’s a great thing for writers and writing.  We’re always asking “what if..” and it leads us down new and (hopefully) exciting fiction paths.  Today, I’m feeling esepcially positive and hopeful so my prompt to you is:

What if you or your character suddenly had $5,000,000.  Yes, five million dollars.  And let’s really have fun… after taxes 🙂

If you choose to write about this money for your character – how would their life change, where would they go, what would they do differently, what would they go for that they couldn’t or wouldn’t otherwise?

If you choose to write about this for you, the same questions apply but first ask yourself what would you do for your writing career?  Me?  I’d run to the store and purchase the best computer and printer available, register for all the conferences I want to go to, and buy advertising to market myself and my books more.  And that would only be the beginning!

Where would this money take you?

Wishing you a week – and more – filled with an abundance of all good things.

Wednesday Web Wanderings

 

Yes… I’ve been off wandering through deadlines, but I’m back now.  And when I want to relax there is something wonderful about putting on a great pair of socks.  The best place I’ve found to browse and buy is Sock Dreams located in Portland, Oregon. Thank goodness for the internet – because I live in New England!

For the life of me, I can’t remember how I found them.  It may have been one of those Facebook ads on the side of the page, but I am really glad I did.  Recently I had the occasion to reward myself fora success.  Looking for a non-food reward (anyone else have this challenge?), I paged through their website and found loads of wonderful things to purchase in a wide range of prices.

But my ultimate choice was easy.

I am a *huge* Wizard of Oz fan and in their slipper sock section were Ruby Slipper socks.  The front is red and has

Ruby Slippers as socks!

a sparkle thread to it and the socks are blue, just like Dorothy wears.  And they even have little gripper bottoms so you dont slide around the kitchen.  At $8 for the pair and free shipping it was one of the best treats I’ve ever given myself. Others must agree too, because they are currently sold out, but I plan to get another pair as soon as they are back in stock.

I make this website a regular browsing stop and order from them every few weeks.  Their range of socks from dainty to heavy duty (and there are some thngs other than socks, too) keeps me hooked.  Can’t visit when I’m on deadline.

Oh look!  I’m done – another reason to celebrate and reward myself.