I just counted the days in my book. I’ve been writing this novel for about a year (oh, be honest, more like sixteen months), and I just realized I’ve only moved three weeks into my character’s life. That’s a whole lot o’days spent on each day. I’ve got the Pioneer Melissa thing going on – I feel there’s a lifespan for every piece of writing, and my book’s days are numbered. I need to finish it, edit it (!), and get moving on the next one. I’m not scared, really, just mindful. I don’t need any more two month breaks. I don’t even need a week’s break (well, vacation is vacation. I don’t write fiction when I’m on the road. Too much of the travel’s flavor winds up in scenes that don’t need the seasoning.)
Slow and steady wins the race.
Man, cliches are annoying. But they feel good to say, don’t they?
I finally finished the Interminable Yoke on the man’s raglan I’m working on. I’d show it to you, but there’s no way to make gray 3×1 ribbing interesting in a photo. I tried.
Oh, hey, I found a new place for yarn money in my house. Thought I’d share in case you’d like to look in your house for extra cash, too. Christy asked me if was growing out my hair. The answer is technically no. I do like the length, but it had been getting pretty damn shaggy. It was driving me crazy. I love the woman who cuts my hair (so please don’t tell her this story), but this is what I thought before the knitting meet-up last week: I pay $50-60 for my cuts. I was about two months overdue for said haircut and REALLY needed it.
I took a shower, combed my hair while wet and snipped away. I’ve had MORE compliments on this cut than I have in a long time. I decided that my knitting philosophy (it’ll never be noticed from a trotting horse) applies well to crooked hair. And that $60 went right to yarn last week at Article Pract.
Heh. It’s like I’m getting over on myself. But it still feels good.
Oh, here’s hair and raglan crop-top:
It’s an addiction, people. Admit it. Now I have to call my pusher, Rob. Did you know he has Rowan Calmer? Lord. I think that cabled hoodie in Debbie Bliss’s book Cotton for All Seasons would be great in Calmer….. Yep.
And before I forget (I just keep going, don’t I?), reader Anna who came to our knitting meet-up is doing the Aids Ride, something I am in awe of. If you’d like to donate and make a difference, go here. Go Anna!
I think even if you hadn’t stated that you were writing again, it would be obvious from the tone of your last few blog posts. I’m so happy you’re back at it. You sound great. 🙂
And beware – once you start cutting your own haor, it’s very addictive!! It becomes waaay too easy to cut it on impulse… like I’m thinking of heading into the bathroom with scissors in hand right now…..
I’m with you Mandy… Hmmm, now where ARE the good scissors….
Hey, a hell of a lot can happen in three weeks if you take the time to watch it unfold! How close are you to finished first draft? Are we talking weeks? Days? Is it too soon to tell, or can you see the end? I’m so far away from even halfway yet that I have to live vicariously through you on this one. I’m so proud of you!
MWAH!
PS: Is the entry title a subtle 12-step reference to point to the collective yarn addiction we all seem to suffer from? Clever girl. I just noticed it.
Thanks Rachael, you’re the best! And may I say, I’m a huge fan of self-made haircuts. Yours is veddy cute!
I was going to gush about the cuteness (and froogality) of the haircut, but then I saw the hoodie picture and imagined it in Calmer and forgot EVERYTHING else. HUNH? What was I about to say? That knitting in no way interferes with my regularlife? That I can stop anytime I want? Somebody oughta write a book.
*hee* and how do I love it that your comment was the 11th? Bunches.
How to know if your novel is coming to the end of its ‘open’ lifespan: if you pour a bucket of water on it and it starts yelling, I’m melting, I’m melting…. it’s time to pony up and run it through to the finish line.
I’m in favour of finishing the draft and then starting on the next one right away. Do the edits of the first one in six months when your head is in a new space.
This says she who is still to complete draft one…. Ready, set, write.
By ‘next one’, I mean the NEXT book.
PS: You and your apt make very pretty pictures together.
Your haircut looks great- says the girl who is totally opposed to self-hair cuts. Really, I have this weird thing about it. It makes my gal crazy. I pay a ton for my haircuts. A few months ago, Michelle decided she wasn’t doing that anymore and has been paying $10 at a local place.
You’re braver than I. I would never cut my own hair!
great haircut! you are a brave woman– the back of the head always scares me. my roommate cuts my hair to 1″ long now that i’m in grad school & can’t afford the fancy stuff… and of course, more $$ for yarn. 🙂
I’m a BIG fan of “do it yerself” haircuts. I cut my own for years and found I could do it better than most “professionals.” Until….I found my beloved Jon, the world’s best hairdresser. Your cut looks MAH-VELOUS dahling. I can’t wait to hear more about your book! I want plot teasers! I know what you mean – my book has been finished (and it’s only a knitting book) for about a year and the photos/finishing are just looming over me. Don’t be too hard on yourself – we’ll wait for what, I’m sure, will be the BEST novel of all time.
Hey – I read your pioneer lady and noticed that you’re a fellow nanowrimo person. Was pioneer lady your novel?
I did one on the Russian daughter of a post communist scienist who travels in time in order to protect Bobo St.Clair, the bon vivant heir to a vast american fortune.
your hair looks darling!