The novel is underway

[vaneramos]

Saturday I wrote more than 3,200 words, so I have decided to stay in Toronto until Wednesday morning. I took yesterday off of writing, and wrote another 1,600 so far today. Being outside my home space allows me to avoid my typical, time-wasting habits. I like solitude, but the rhythms of other men moving around the house comforts me. Curious, that.

Of course the nights, lying in a warm tangle with a sleepy cub are both comforting and motivating, something to look forward to while I'm working. No puzzle how that works.

Yesterday morning Danny and I went walking. The leaves are still on the trees here, later than in Guelph. Under a drizzling sky, the streets are brilliant with maples, oaks, locusts and a tree with deep burgundy leaves, which I can't identify. Roses are still blooming. I went out alone this morning with my camera. I like the adventure of exploring places I've never seen before, even if it's no more than quiet neighbourhoods with faded buildings and old men shuffling along under their umbrellas.

On the other hand, I might tire of walking these same city streets every morning. Would I? Or would I warm to them with familiarity?

I have walked the banks of the Eramosa for five years now with never a twinge of boredom. I would happily walk there today, but for the time being I'm benefitting from the energy of returning to a house with other men clattering dishes, clicking their keyboards, and meowing, hissing and spitting at each other.

Comments

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

Oh, I remember them doing that mrow-hiss thing at the Farm, too. Puzzling, that. I didn't know Bears were allowed to meow. Of course I did know that a really contented Bear can purr, so perhaps I should be less startled by these other, more exotic habits, than I'm allowing myself to be.

have you had your borscht lesson yet?

Look forward to seeing the new photos,

hugs, Shimmer

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Cats do bitter better than real bears, you see.

Borscht? Not yet.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

I've written about as many words, just not for a novel, and I'm not in a house of men in Toronto, so you're doing far better than I.

There's a van Gogh comparison to be had (doesn't it seem that all artists are mentally ill?), of course.

I never need to write much when I'm feeling okay, right?

I snuggle you telepathically, for what that's worth.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Although I have frequently written (and still sometimes do) for self-therapy, my main purpose is different. It feels like the strongest, most natural way of expressing myself. In this case, I am writing for a contest, not because I need to, but because I want to challenge myself.

When I'm depressed I tend to lose motivation. This time of year, with the shortened daylight, is my hardest time of year. As I write this novel, I feel my creative muscle is flabbier than when I tried the novel-writing experiment in September. So I drive myself. From experience, I know that mental disciplines such as this are beneficial, even more so now that I am not medicated.

But the fact is, I write the most and the best when I am well.

[grandiva1968.livejournal.com]

I don't feel like I have much command of the language, or even of my own mind anymore, so I haven't returned to poetry or music composition; memoiring is a minimal return to long-lost creativity that doesn't require as much thought, structure, planning, or committment as fiction, and it makes me channel my thoughts (if not focus my narrative) much more clearly than I've ever been able to with my short attention span.

I certainly comprehend and empathize with the impact depression has on motivation.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

house of men. how do you handle it? do you like it for the comfort of the known. Like a nice background, a comfortable place.

Sometimes I like knowing Mike is here but enjoy being in my own mental place.

At any rate it sounded rather pleasant. Although the hissing and spitting would get a bit on my nerves. ah life.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I usually live alone, and I don't have a regular job. In general the solitude is a good space for me, but I'm still trying to shake off some time-wasting habits. Right now I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month, and I find that being away from home helps me avoid some of the usual distractions. So I'm staying with bitterlawngnome and djjo (Danny) in Toronto. There are people around during the day, and I have snuggles to look forward to at night. I have been seeing Danny since July.

I have to head home tomorrow, but I have made a good start on this novel.

[jaique.livejournal.com]

Nothing like a good walk to clear the head.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's for sure, and it's another thing I can use as incentive as I plough through this writing. Like, "Just another 600 words."

[leafshimmer.livejournal.com]

I printed out everything you wrote as of yesterday afternoon and read it in one big gulp sitting in my big overstuffed armchair at bedtime last night. I just love what you're doing with this! Can't wait to find out more about the Vitches. The waxwing brought a lump to my throat when he appeared, knowing his history in your life.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Shimmer. It's encouraging to know that you're reading and enjoying it. I notice my brain isn't quite as clear and innovative (blasted autumn) as it was when I made my first writing attempt two months ago, but I have a clearer road map of where it's going, so I'm optimistic. Big hugs.