Monday, February 22, 2010

Cupid's Target: You and Writing

That little imp, Cupid, sometimes strikes a person with an ambition. Anyone who writes, knows what I'm talking about!



How do you know the love bug has hit?

- Your thoughts can't seem to focus on anything but the idea for a new book jogging around your brain.
- Your palms get sweaty with anticipation as you sit at your computer.
- You burst into laughter while rolling the shopping cart at the grocery store--the laughter is because you just realized your main character is about to do something crazy.
- You keep a protective eye on your memory stick at all times.
- Ink and computer paper cost more than your monthly gas bill, but what's money when you need to print your first draft?
- When you send your latest to your critique partner, you feel worse than the day your child first headed to pre-school.
- Until you hear back from your critique partner, you boomerang between fervent hope and self-loathing.
- Sometimes, when you get in the zone writing, you forget to eat lunch. Notice I said sometimes.
- Your characters are so vivid in your mind, you still think about one from six books ago.
- Your favorite authors are your rock stars.

What's a sure sign you've been hit by the writing love bug?



Join me on Wednesday when we'll continue our romance of writing.

32 comments:

  1. I love your examples!:)
    For me, it's when I would rather write than make real money:)

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  2. Just like love, it always starts out that way. The challenge is to make that feeling last throughout the writing of the book. But we go through lots of ups and downs in our emotions as we write...

    Just like love!

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  3. I forget lunch often and I love that rock stars comment.

    Lately I'm shaken from sleep to go write. Those are the crazy love bug bit times.

    ~ Wendy

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  4. This struck a chord with me. Just yesterday I wrote a blog post comparing the querying/agenting process to dating and marriage. This goes perfectly with my metaphor! Mind if I link to it?

    Thanks for a smile on Monday morning.

    - Liz

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  5. LOL! Yes, what IS the cost of paper and ink when you need to print? I can identify with all your examples, except for lunch. I never seem to miss.....

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  6. Good Morning!

    Terri: Oh, good one! Absolutely!

    Steph: Too true!

    Wendy: Sounds like you've got it bad if you can't even get a full night's sleep!

    Liz: Welcome! Thanks for linking--can't wait to check it out!

    Georgiana: I rarely miss lunch. Or coffee. Or snack. Or... :)

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  7. I wake up with the story on my brain. I go to sleep with the story on my brain. I get up in the middle of the night to scribble down more things about the story in my brain.

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  8. Very nice post! I know I've been hit when I can't get a word in edgewise--in my mind. >.<

    I have an award for you here: http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2010/02/awards-and-more.html

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  9. Great examples! For me, it's when I can't stop writing until I get it on paper. :)

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  10. Paul: Uh-oh! Sounds like Cupid hit you hard! You wouldn't have it any other way, though, would you?

    Danyelle: Yes! The voices just won't quit, will they?? Thanks for the award--I'll be over later to pick it up!

    Shannon: That's a great feeling!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  11. Hi Jill -

    When I dream about the story and characters. I finally started Book 3, but my character is suddenly playing hide and seek. Sigh.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  12. When you write all day, immersed in your historical fictive dream, and when you stop, you're surprised to see modern inventions like television and electric lights. :D

    It's happened to me!

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  13. Good examples! I guess mine would have to be when I have so many ideas and I have a hard time keeping track of everything.
    Blessings:)

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  14. When you brainstorm on the drive home from work and are so deep into it that you barely notice the stoplights!

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  15. Best feeling in the world!

    I love your list. :)

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  16. Such truth! My bookshelf is filled with rock stars.

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  17. Susan J: Book 3! Congrats! Don't worry--you'll "find" that character. :)

    Erica: Love it! Were you surprised to not be wearing a dress too?

    Karen: Wonderful problem to have! Better than no ideas, right?

    Melissa: Oh yeah, you're in the zone then!

    Icy Roses: It is the best feeling in the world!

    K. Harrington: Welcome! I have stacks of 'em myself!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  18. First, I love that photo. Second, for me, it's when I wake up and the words are just there. The scene is playing out. It's all I can do to grab the pen and post-it's and get it down.

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  19. Elana: Cute pic, huh? It melts me! And I agree--when the words are there! When I don't have to sit and think and chase the ideas around my head--ah, bliss!

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  20. I forget breakfast. And HECK YEAH! The rock star thing. This list made me have the giggles. Thanks Jill. =)

    And I am still thinking of one from four books ago. I've been hit by the writing love bug. I knew it. =)

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  21. All linked up! Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm adding you to my blog roll.

    - Liz

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  22. Great list, Jill!

    I know the love bug's bit me when my hubby asks how my day was and then asks how my characters fared that day, which he does when I sport The Look, one I wear when I've been swept away into the alternate universe where my characters are as real to me as my Taco Bell cravings.

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  23. Robyn: Ha! It's really bad when you miss breakfast!

    Liz: Thank you so much! So glad we found each other!

    Keli: As real as Taco Bell cravings?? Not THAT's love!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  24. Haha. I love this list, Jill. It is just so for me too.

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  25. Jill, what a fabulous photo! You have such a knack for interesting posts and compelling photos!!!

    Hmmm. When the love bug strikes, I can't wait to get to my computer and don't realize I've been there for hours....seems like only a few minutes!!

    Blessings,
    Patti

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  26. Angie: We're alike, aren't we? :)

    Patti: There's nothing like getting into the zone, is there?

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  27. I know I've been hit when my husband talks to me and I answer without knowing either what he or I said. Aha.

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  28. Great examples. I've felt that way before. Maybe the imp will get me again.

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  29. Jen: That's happened to me too! LOL!

    Nancy: I wish the imp could make it last, don't you?

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  30. I do LOVE that feeling! I also have the opposite feeling sometime, that uh-oh kind of feeling that makes me wonder if my book is really going to work. Heaven help me. No really, please. ;)

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  31. Great examples, Jill! I was definitely hit, and hit hard! There are very few moments in the day when I'm not thinking about writing, even this time of year when I'm working full-time on a different career.

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  32. You almost can't wait to get home from Hawaii to start writing again! Notice I said 'almost'! Great post, Jill!! Cute pic, too!!

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