Of Grumpification October 4, 2007
Posted by Jen in : Journal , trackbackGrrrrrr. Grumble, grumble, grumble. The job application machine is growling into action which means I have around four weeks to finish my novel. Four weeks is fine. It’s achievable. Well, it would be. On Monday and Tuesday this week, I spent all day watching back-to-back episodes of Spongebob Squarepants. Number 2 Son was sort of sick. Not proper poorly, just moany and irritating. Sigh.
Today and, miserably, tomorrow both beasties are off – the school has open evenings and they clearly don’t want the pupils there making a mess or putting potential parents off.
I am going to hide in bed until I’ve written some words. All I need is the coffee fairy – a plentiful supply of decaf café crème and some almond cake. That’s not much to ask, is it?
No, it’s no good. I can hear them. Hear them Having Fun and Laughing. I cannot concentrate. I feel an uncontrollable urge to get up from my warm pit, to rummage through the emergency/disaster cupboard for bandages to bandage up their mouths.
Sigh. Childline probably frowns upon such behaviour. Boring buggers. I shall, instead, plug myself in to yumptious Newton Faulkner. I won’t be playing this song though. I wouldn’t click on it either, if I were you. It will infiltrate your brain and make you peculiar for the whole day. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
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Eerrrrrr, is it a conspiracy? Children - pah.
Four weeks eh? Get going then girl.
JJx
Hah. Children can be so bloody awkward, can’t they? I think mine are a lot of the reason I gave up watching TV. (Well, that and the fact that most of it is rubbish!) Trying to watch anything became too much of a battle and as for reading/writing? *sigh* No chance.
I’m sure I remember actually going to school when I was a kid… There seem to have been far fewer days off back then… But perhaps I’m just older and grumpier now.
I’m just getting into my routine and I can sense half term is looming in a couple of weeks. Sods law I’ll be just getting into my stride by then. Hope you’re having a good day. x
JJ - the whole thing about having kids is a conspiracy if you ask me…
LQS - I know what you mean about TV. Am shamefully partial to Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends though. Bloomin schools - they’ve only been back for 4 weeks and they’re off again already. Half term soon too!!! I like grumpy today.
Helen - How can half term be coming so soon? That is, of course, the week in which I make the Christmas cake. AAARRRGHHHH. CHRISTMAS!!!!!
oh no… Christmas…
*firmly suppresses impulse to make lists*
Jen, I think you’re doing so well, overall. You’ve made really good use of your time during the summer. I bet you can get the first draft finished before you have to start work. And I’m looking forward to reading it, too.
Sickly children? Half term? Christmas? When will it end?
Write Jen.
Write like you’ve never written before:-)
x
ps Four weeks is ages if you say it reeeaally sloowwly…
x
but your wordcount is going up, up, UP. You’re doing brilliantly and at this stage you certainly WILL have your novel finished soon.
Now, why don’t you start querying agents - there’s nothing like an agent request to force you to finish in a big hurry. (and I know you’re not meant to ….I know I’m giving bad advice….but, but, they always take so damn LONG to respond….. )
Zinnia - don’t fight the impulse! I actually prefer the making of the list to Christmas itself. I actually am determined to finish the first draft before real life kicks in, no matter what.
Lane - I will, I will! I suspect I’ll feel as if I’ve failed if I don’t get it finished… Talking slowly, brilliant - I’ll try that.
Rebecca - God, that’s a scary thought! In fact, it’s a thoroughly wee-inducing thought… eeeeeeek…
Get those typing fingers lubricated and go for it girl…..you can do it!!
Someone told me today that it’s only 12 weeks till Christmas……how depressing is that!! Actually I need to do my Christmas shopping this month since my Mum’s coming in November and will be taking everything back with her……oh god…..now I’m really depressed……where’s the wine?
C x
Thank you for visiting my blog, jen. I think you should be congratulated for getting any writing done while raising small children. That’s quite an achievement. And please, please, not Christmas! I can’t deal with it!
There is a Rockin’ Blogger award awaiting you at mine!
Cx
Look, you’re at 62%. That’s brilliant!
Keep going. Go on, you know you can do this.
Do it for all the underdogs.
Bandages? What are you thinking? I find duct tape to be much more effective. Just kidding!!! Please don’t have me arrested. Having been a nanny for nine long years I discovered that the secret to keeping children quiet is sugar. I know it sounds counter-productive at first. They gorge themselves on sugar and they run like high-powered race cars for about half an hour, then the sugar high ends and the lovely crash kicks in for at least an hour and a half. Slip in a DVD for them and enjoy the peace and quiet.
i need no excuse at all to watch spongebob. i luuurve him, to be quite frank.
What about a cellar? With a big door and a strong bolt? Do you have one of those? Not for you, for them…they could play dungeons or something. Mwhahahaha. And you could get some peace. And write.
Four weeks - it’s an eternity!
Mya x
That Newton is mighty mighty fine!
And all children should be seen and not heard. Simple.
xx
Carol - 12 weeks? Really? That is too scary.
Wordtryst - Hello, thanks for visiting!
Cathy - ooh, thank you. I wish I could figure out how to put those lovely award thingummies on my sidebar.
Bedshaped - I’m doing it, I’m doing it! The underdogs will have their day… raaaaah!
Helen - duct tape, brilliant! Leaves less marks than staples too. You’re a genius.
Rivergirlie - I like the miserable squid thing. Oddly, I used to have an OU tutor who looked just like Spongebob. It was the gappy teeth, I think?
Mya - Four weeks IS an eternity, yes. Especially with the kids gagged and dungeoned. If only I’d realised this tactic years ago.
Caroline - he’s scrummy, isn’t he? Children, not seen OR heard would be best. Being able to smell them is the worst bit though…
Your going to make your Christmas cake over half term? Please save me a little marzipan. No one here likes it so being a martyr mummy, I don’t use it but I love it so.
You are doing so well with your WIP and from the taster, I know I’m going to love it.
Fiona, consider it saved. I love marzipan but hate that gloopy white icing. Christmas indeed. Aaarrghh. Must stop thinking about cake. Must write!
I know you can do it in four weeks - GO JEN! I cannot wait to read it. Buy it and read it. Think of me in Waterstones holding your novel waiting to pay for it - that’s your motivation! Bloody kids having fun - I dont know. They will be making a mess next.
Thanks for the encouragement Kate!