My current wip, and only, is a futuristic paranormal
and I’m having a great time writing it, mostly. You see it has become increasingly
clear that now that I’m writing seriously, as opposed to casually, I’ve become unable
to read my beloved authors without having their voice throw me off my
game. Now I will confess I’ve made one
exception. I managed to finish one of
Rebecca Z’s latest, but full disclosure I am a huge fan girl, plus she’s a
member of our local RWA chapter (score!) and I think it’s in our by-laws or
something *grin*. But I digress. My point, and I do have one, is that this has
been a huge adjustment for me. Because… I’m an addict, a book addict. Always have been, always will be.
“Hi, my name
is Deb and it’s been 53 days since my last book. I’m doing well, but some days,
well let’s just say, it’s not pretty. Even the dog leaves me alone.”
In the good old days, about four months ago, as soon
as I had finished one novel, I’m on to the next and the next. It was a feeding
frenzy. And if I found a new author and she had any type of backlist, watch out.
My family ends up eating pizza and frozen
dinners for days and the laundry piles up. Kinda like now, only different. But
that’s how it is with me. Or was. I couldn’t stop reading. Not until I decided to finally listen to the
inner voice which said, “Yes you can.” Now I’ve had to rewire my brain, training
myself to be patient and delay that need for instant gratification *wink* when
a new Kresley Cole novel comes out.
Now like many of you, I’m guessing here, but think
I’m pretty close to the mark. I think many of you, ok me, wants to be like
Nora. Prolific, successful and so damn good! Isn’t she like the demi-goddess of
art and literature? No? Well she should be. But as I’m now a self-proclaimed ‘serious’
writer, I must follow my heart and my muse. Nora’s latest releases are as we
speak languishing in the nether world otherwise known as eBook purgatory. Sssh,
don’t tell her. I think by now I must have 20, okay closer to 30, books waiting
to be accessed nightly on my Kindle only to be forsaken for my wip. Don’t get me wrong though, I am loving this
new journey I’ve chosen. My people, I’ve found my people! However, no one
warned me about the downside. I’ve been jonesing for a while now and get my
thrills by reading book descriptions at Amazon and Goodreads. It’s been
dangerous though. By feeding my addiction in this roundabout way, I’ve found a
whole new group of authors and great books. Little gems twinkling brightly at
me “read me, read me.” Some days I feel like a Valkyrie (or is it a Harpy?)
entranced by the winking glare of yet another book diamond. Am I being a bit
melodramatic here? Maybe. But as much as I experience great satisfaction (so
cool) from writing a scene or two, or three, I miss my book boyfriends! Doesn’t
matter that it’s a self-imposed hiatus either, I’m just--sad.
So I’ve decided on a new incentive program. This may
work for you or maybe everyone else has already figured it out, and I’m just
late to dinner. If so, I’ll bring the wine next time.
MY SOLUTION: Alright, here it is – write 20k, read a
book, but just one. Write another 20k, read one book, etc. I promise. Also, I
must do it without guilt or worry that it’s going to affect my voice. Solution
found, right? But that leads to an even
bigger problem—WHICH ONE? Will it be Nora, or Rebecca? Gena or Cherry? Kresley
or Larissa? J.T. or J.R or ahhh. Whom I kidding? How do I chose between all my
favorites? In the old days, I’d just
read them in the order the books were released. But now I have a backlog. I’m
hoping my proposed solution could be just one more incentive for me to finish
my book, right? You know besides getting an agent or a contract.
Okay, so maybe my solution is not realistic. After
all who am I kidding? I start reading one and that will lead to “just one more”
and BAM! I’m back on the sauce. Better that I have a book orgy when my first
draft is done and call it good. Hmm, I like that idea, less of a chance for
cheating. But what do I know, I’m just a newbie. Wait, does a novella count?
Which of your favorite authors do you think you
could hold off reading when they release a new book, say for a week? Or, “No
way Deb, you’re crazy!”
Thanks for reading.
I’d love to hear your comments!
BIO: I am a stay at home
wife and mother, married to the super supportive Master Chief and momma to
the Rooster and BubbaBoy. Two monkeys who keep me on my toes--hourly. We
have a chocolate lab named Bell who follows me around the house begging for
treats. In my previous life, in no particular order, I was a telephone
operator, optometrist assistant, receptionist, executive assistant, ice cream
scooper and bar maid (not a waitress, but an actual maid who cleaned a bar -
very glam). I love coffee and reality TV. The latter reinforces how good a life
I do have.
You can find me on:
- Facebook: www.facebook/debraeliseauthor
- Twitter: Debra_Elise
- Website: Debraelise.com
- Goodreads: Debra Elise
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