Why I Don't Write About Writing

Well, writing techniques, anyway.

I do write quite a bit about the actual quirks of writing -- writer's arse, habits and such -- but I've never been comfortable advising others on writing techniques. I have no problem talking about my own if someone asks, but I really believe that every writer is different and you need to find what works for you. Plus, there are a zillion writers out there way more qualified to discuss techniques than me (than I? See?!)!

When I first started writing, all the books and blogs I read boggled my mind. Write every day. Don't write every day. Write what you love. Write for the market. And on and on, until I had no idea where to even start. Should I sit down in the chair? Or should I stand? Should I turn on the radio, or write in silence?

The one thing I did learn was this: read all the books, but don't live by any of them. Do what you enjoy; what really makes you embrace the process of writing. I truly believe if you do that, everything will fall into place.

You'll find your rhythm, baby.

The Afflicted

Athletes can get a lot of injuries, yes. But writers? Sure, sitting at your desk isn't exactly a contact sport. But writers can suffer through their share of physical afflictions, too.

This week, I have been suffering from a full-blown case of desk-contact-dermatitis (don't laugh!). Yes, that's a skin condition that has been created by the constant friction of resting the side of my arm on my desk. It went from rosy pink and a little scratchy to bright red and freakin' itchy! Hubby (who trained as a doctor) asked me: if you feel it getting sore, why do you keep putting your arm on the desk like that? To which I replied: I dunno.

That's not all. Sometimes I sit on the chair so much that my butt and upper thighs literally throb when I get up at the end of the day -- even when I do go for a run at lunch. I'm not sure I ever had this problem in my office life (possibly because I was usually fabricating excuses to go 'consult' (read: gossip with) my colleagues).

And of course there's the inevitable writer's arse. Although strictly speaking I'm not sure that could be called an injury, it's definitely a liability!

What injuries have you suffered from your writing? Please don't tell me I'm the only one!

Sweet Sunday: French Toast

I've just had this for breakfast so it seems very a propos to make it my Sweet Sunday spotlight! For me, bread is key to the making of good French toast. It needs to be slightly crispified (or stale). Mix the milk with eggs, put in a drop or two of vanilla extract alongside a generous sprinkling of cinnamon, then heat some butter in a pan and fry it up til it's golden!

Smother it all in rivers of glutinous maple syrup, and if you really want to be posh you can throw in a berry or two.

Could getting to paradise be any easier?

Happy Sunday!