As I write this, it’s just a little after 5AM and the power is out.
The power went out in one of those stuttering gasps that makes the lights flicker on and off, and all the little machines in the house reset themselves and demand attention. It’s just enough noise and commotion to disturb any chance you might have of sleeping.
“Please press review key for setup instructions.”
For some fool reason I placed the answering machine on the nightstand right beside my head. The machine’s recorded voice isn’t pleasant. She is terse and demanding. She insists that I press the review key with a passive aggressive tone that makes her difficult to ignore, promises some unknown retribution for delay.
“Please press review key for setup instructions.”
It may not seem rational, but the second time she asked her voice sounded even more perturbed, as if it is her sleep that is being disturbed, not mine, and that without the correct time and date she will lie restless on the nightstand.
At this point, the power went out completely. I figured I might as well get up since I was planning to have an early morning writing session anyway.
I lit the stove and made myself a cup of tea. I also made a note to get some black tea in the house since all we have is the flowery herbal stuff, which is great at bedtime but not so swell when you’ve just been needled out of sleep by a cranky machine.
It’s raining outside, picking up in fact. I hope the sump doesn’t overflow. I’m glad my laptop is charged otherwise I’d probably be upset. If this happened in November, I know I’d be upset because this is the time I’ve set aside to write.
All of this sounds a bit miserable, but really, I couldn’t be happier. I’m up early and I am writing. This was my plan anyway, a plan that I used to execute each and every day.
When I had my studio, 5AM was the my usual wake-up time. Over the last year, I’ve found my hour of rising slipping. First in fifteen minute increments, then half an hour. Lately, I’ve been getting up at 7AM which feels terribly late. So, I’m happy to be typing by lantern light in my kitchen at 5AM.
After my last post about NaNoWriMo, I received a lot of great comments, tweets, and emails. It seems like I was able to encourage a few people to do what I did, namely setting aside fear and jumping in. I’m glad I could help a little and I’m looking forward to hearing more from everyone as thing heat up.
We have to hang together, folks. Writing a novel in 30 days is a crazy ride. Keep your powder dry and your laptop charged. 🙂
Doing NaNoWriMo? Buddy up with me!
Jamie, great practical tip. I am in need of a new laptop, hmmm maybe I can swing one before NaNo. 🙂 The power goes out a lot here in MI, so this one really hit home. Thanks for the NaNo prep, I am so ready to rock it!
P.S. Answering machine? Seriously? 🙂
Karen Swim´s last blog post..Carrots, Sticks and Such
Oh boy. I am NOT a morning person, though I do love sitting in a quiet house while it’s dark and raining. However, it looks like I’m going to be the only one sitting in a quiet house while it’s dark AND at night. I do most of my writing between 10p and 3a PST. If anyone wants to join me…. 😉
P.S. Do you have a blog designer or did you just tweek your own WP theme? Both of my blogs need a major re-do, and I’m not sure where to start. Ideas?
Diane Penna´s last blog post..Dear Kid Thursday: Favorites
I often write in one of the Marina-front bars in Moraira (Spain) whilst my wife is in the hairdressers.
The battery on my laptop was never as good as I wanted – an hours use at tops but got worse. I ordered a new battery over the internet, and an invertor for use in the car so I could sit there for a while.
The new battery is good for over two hours – never had to use the inverter. I’m chuffed to death.
Anthony James Barnett – author .´s last blog post..An interview with author, Nik Morton
@Karen Glad you liked it! I’m going to keep the NaNo posts coming all through October so stay tuned!
@Diane Well, I’ll be glad to pick up the baton at the other end of your writing shift! 🙂
As for the site, I created this theme myself based on one I worked up for Drupal. That said, I’d probably buy an off the shelf theme next time and customize it. There are so many good ones out there. I just wanted to learn a little about the platform. I know that James and Harry do WP custom work. You might want to check in with them.
@Anthony Costa Blanca! You’re making me jealous! Ever make it down the coast to Alicante? 😉
I need to buy a new battery soon myself. This one is not taking such a great charge anymore.
Sadly no laptop here. It would have come in handy as I could have at least gotten the storm photos off the camera to a flash and driven them to the paper. With the changing platforms getting a laptop is not likely to happen anytime soon either.
Deb´s last blog post..Ohio wind storm of September 14
Yes, I had to go to Alicante to sign my residencia (identity card) and have my thumbrint stuck on it. Was quite busy for me. I like it rural. I live in one of the inland valleys overlooking a couple of villages.
Anthony James Barnett – author .´s last blog post..An interview with author, Nik Morton