Buffalo Gal

I appreciate the subtle suggestions (and outright nagging) of those who have noticed the gap between posts.
The gap between books is MUCH larger. The current one has been on stall since I arrived in Buffalo over a year ago. There are plenty of good reasons on the book mind you:
1)For the first eight months I was living alone and working too much.
2) For the last four months Charlie has been here and I'm working too much
3) My desk doesn't face a window.
4) There's no privacy in our apartment
5) I need more research
Yeah, really good reasons all.
I marvel at the stranger who produced hundreds of pages so easily as I do pictures of that same stranger in a bikini 20 years ago -- it simply could not have been me.
I haven't stopped writing. I write proposals, plans and press releases by the ream. I'm going into the office this morning to kill a tree or two. Maybe there is a limit to my word reservoir.
It is not indentured servitude. I like what I do. I am proud to work for the top firm in the region and my boss is simply the best -- smart, principled, energetic, creative, saavy. I couldn't create a better one on paper.
But then again I haven't been able to create any characters on paper. The current lot is vibrant and growing in volume and nuance in my head. Frankly, it's getting crowded in there.
I know how they are related to each other, their secrets and what will happen as they come together. In the numerous false starts over the last year, I have charted them, filled in biographical facts about them and visited them in my dreams. They splatter pages of journals tucked in my purse and desk and frequently creep into the margins at meetings about Strategic Mapping.
They just haven't been in the least bit interested in chapter form.
The City of Buffalo is a major character in this book and it informs me daily of quirks and details I want a reader to love.
Yet the Auto Club can not jumpstart writing. I've tried to read great novels and books about writing great novels. I've set page target days and promised to clear the decks of distraction.
Nada.
Next weekend I'm attending a conference in San Diego for a client. When they booked me to arrive Saturday morning for a Monday event I was initially annoyed with the additional time away from home.
But the hotel has big windows with ocean views. I'll have no obligations for two days and my laptop with me.
There is a certain twisted logic is forcing the Buffalo characters out in the California sun.

Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs

Buffalo Gal Judi Griggs I'm a communications professional, writer, cynic, mother, wife and royal pain. The order depends on the day. I returned to my hometown in November 2004 after a couple of decades of heat and hurricanes. I can polish pristine copy, but not here. This is my morning exercise -- 20-minute takes without a net or spellcheck. It's easier than sit ups for me. No guarantee what it will be for you. Clicking on the subscribe link will send you an email notice when each new entry is posted.
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Previous Entry :: Next Entry Read/Post Comments (0) Share on Facebook		2006-01-21 9:25 AM The writing reservoir I appreciate the subtle suggestions (and outright nagging) of those who have noticed the gap between posts. The gap between books is MUCH larger. The current one has been on stall since I arrived in Buffalo over a year ago. There are plenty of good reasons on the book mind you: 1)For the first eight months I was living alone and working too much. 2) For the last four months Charlie has been here and I'm working too much 3) My desk doesn't face a window. 4) There's no privacy in our apartment 5) I need more research Yeah, really good reasons all. I marvel at the stranger who produced hundreds of pages so easily as I do pictures of that same stranger in a bikini 20 years ago -- it simply could not have been me. I haven't stopped writing. I write proposals, plans and press releases by the ream. I'm going into the office this morning to kill a tree or two. Maybe there is a limit to my word reservoir. It is not indentured servitude. I like what I do. I am proud to work for the top firm in the region and my boss is simply the best -- smart, principled, energetic, creative, saavy. I couldn't create a better one on paper. But then again I haven't been able to create any characters on paper. The current lot is vibrant and growing in volume and nuance in my head. Frankly, it's getting crowded in there. I know how they are related to each other, their secrets and what will happen as they come together. In the numerous false starts over the last year, I have charted them, filled in biographical facts about them and visited them in my dreams. They splatter pages of journals tucked in my purse and desk and frequently creep into the margins at meetings about Strategic Mapping. They just haven't been in the least bit interested in chapter form. The City of Buffalo is a major character in this book and it informs me daily of quirks and details I want a reader to love. Yet the Auto Club can not jumpstart writing. I've tried to read great novels and books about writing great novels. I've set page target days and promised to clear the decks of distraction. Nada. Next weekend I'm attending a conference in San Diego for a client. When they booked me to arrive Saturday morning for a Monday event I was initially annoyed with the additional time away from home. But the hotel has big windows with ocean views. I'll have no obligations for two days and my laptop with me. There is a certain twisted logic is forcing the Buffalo characters out in the California sun. Copyright 2006 Judi Griggs Read/Post Comments (0) Previous Entry :: Next Entry Back to Top