The dangers of writing a novel

Greetings from my back yard office!

I have been delighting in the summer time "schedule" of a teacher. I still make five salads a week and love them so much for my lunch, but have recently discovered that Cumin is a cooling spice in Ayurveda, and my dosha imbalance suggests that I need more of a warming spice. So I have switched up my usual dressing to include turmeric. Oh, the things that can be learned when you have time. I am pondering whether the less than desirable conditions of being a French teacher who pushes a cart around from room to room are worth surviving when you get to have July and August. Today I feel like yes, but ask me in late August, or November, or late May and I'm sure I'll be singing a very different tune. In the meantime, for you non-teachers, don't hate us for having this time off. People like me savor every day, make nice meals for their husband, and love up their projects.

I have been enjoying writing my first novel. It's been in the works in my dreams for a long time, and pressing in my mind more recently. My fingers can't type fast enough, and I am playing fun games to trick myself in to writing with commitment, such as letting my favourite writers write "through" me, racing against a timer, pressing "Shuffle songs" on my iPod to find a hidden message in whatever song comes up, and treating myself to rewards like Soy Chai lattes or a new sparkly jelly roll pen when I reach my goals.

Will you read my book one day? It's light and cute and maybe even a bit inspiring.

Here are my thoughts on the negative side of being a writer:
1. Everything that happens to you gets catalogued, either in writing or in your mind, as a possible event, place or person for your book.
2. There is a constant feeling of “I should be writing…” when you are doing anything—even sleeping.
3. Everything around you becomes incredibly interesting—books, old letters, googling how to make soy yogurt, checking the weather.
4. You know what they say about the best laid plans…… you can plan and plan to write, but your commitment to your plans will be tested unbelievably every time you open your laptop. Your friend who you haven’t talked to in ages calls, a neighbor stops in and talks for half an hour with you, the car “check engine” light comes on, there’s a leak in the kitchen and you need to meet the plumber, Biography is doing a show on someone that fascinates you, etc etc.
5. Your secrets about the way you've always felt about people and their decisions cannot be kept secret any longer—the truth comes out in your words that you write. Will your family and friends forgive you?
6. You are constantly scared that what you are writing has been said already, or is unbelievable or naive.


Salad Girl's tip of the post: Try my new salad dressing concoction, which I have called
"Love Potion Number Nine"
Blend some strawberries (SO deliciously in season and sweet for another week where I live) and frozen orange juice concentrate, and add a bit of ginger root. To this puree, add some balsamic vinegar, some olive oil, and the bizarre combination of black pepper, half a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper. We ate this over romaine lettuce, and sliced red, orange and yellow peppers... it was so peculiar yet so very yummy. xo