Not the only writer Scrooge
For some reason, Tess Gerritsen keeps posting directly from my brain lately. Here’s today’s psychic connection.
I am SO relieved that someone besides me feels this way. Because having this mid-January deadline hanging over my head has made me the least-elfish (elflike?) Christmas participant. Every time I have to leave the keyboard to go buy presents or groceries, or to cook holiday treats and meals that I usually look forward to, I notice I get grumpier and grumpier. I believe the phrase I used this morning with my husband was, “I have to go buy stupid chicken to make stupid Christmas Eve dinner.” Ho, ho, ho.
But the thing is, I’m having such a wonderful time with the book I’m writing, I just don’t want to leave it to go deal with the real world. And the holidays are so mandatory, you can’t very well skip events just because you want to write another thousand words.
So maybe Tess is right, and we need a specific designation of this type of syndrome so our families won’t get so bent out of shape. I have Noveldueitis. I have Fictionpreferentia. I have Christmasresentamus.
Sorry. Anyone else slightly grumpy this Christmas Eve? Or does the cheese stand alone?
Technorati Tags: Tess Gerritsen, Writing, Publishing, Writers, Authors
December 24th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Scroogie-ness is perfectly acceptable during this time of year, in my opinion. It’s not even worth it to judge someone based on their individual “holiday cheer threat level.” For example: A kid might have “holiday cheer threat level red.” That is understandable: kids LOOOOOOVVVEE Christmas. My grandma has a perpetual “holiday cheer threat level green.”
Also understandable, 80 Christmases later. Personally, I’m just stoked to see family and have a quiet, work-free weekend at home. I guess my holiday disorder is “Justrelaxia,” and my “cheer threat level” is lukewarm.
Me, grumpy? Not at all. But am I gung-ho for carols and ornaments and Santa Claus? Also not at all. And that is fine with me.
So what’s your color this year? And does it matter if no one is really affected by it, including yourself?
December 24th, 2007 at 11:31 am
WOW! I wish I had your determination! XD I’m loving the christmas eve exitment! >_
December 24th, 2007 at 11:48 am
I love Tess’s DSM classification.
I am a bit grumpy too.
I kind of envy that you get to escape to your book’s world. I’ve been trying to escape by reading books, but it is too easy to get interrupted by reality.
I hope that you are able to enjoy the reality of your stupid chicken dinner. I’m going to go work on a stupid roast.
Bah Humbug!
December 24th, 2007 at 11:57 am
Michelle, stupid roast is stupid–especially since both of us are vegetarian, so I know we’re just making these things without the prospect of eating them. What will you be having? I think I’m going to have a big old slice of this homemade chicken pot pie I’m putting together (one of my favorite dishes), and just pick out all the chicken. If essence-of-chicken touches my vegetables, so be it. I refuse to make myself crazy. But I’m interested in hearing what you’ll be substituting.
Dylan, I’m glad you’re into it! Enjoy! I love that people who love Christmas can really indulge in every part of it. Please do that on my behalf, too–it will help balance out the world.
Emily, you are SO funny. Love the “holiday cheer threat level.” And for the record, since you are staying in my house right now (and secretly commenting on my blog from the next room), let me say that I am not in the least bit grumpy about having you here. You, my dear, are a joy.
December 24th, 2007 at 11:57 am
I’m right there with you, Robin. Although I’m revising on deadline, not writing. (A little different?) But I am currently unable to tear myself away to buy ingredients for green bean casserole, even thougth I know the stores won’t be open for that much longer. I’ve just realized there is a new scene I need to add to chapter six! (And technically I don’t even celebrate Christmas. (I’m Jewish.) But I still get together with family for a festive meal. So can I share in your humbug spirit?)
Merry Christmas and Happy Writing!
Jenny
December 24th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I can understand the Grinch comin’ out, but, yes, as someone else mentioned, it’s hard to stay grinchy when there are young children involved. My almost-four-year-old REALLY gets it this year. I’m so looking forward to Christmas morning that I might very well be grinchy *afterwards*, since that one very wonderful moment will be over.
But I’ll enjoy it while it happens.
So glad you’re loving the writing, Robin. Merry merry and happy happy to you and yours.
December 24th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Jenny, I can’t tell you how often I put off grocery shopping to work on just one more chapter–and then one more, and one more . . .
But yeah, you’d probably better run out and get your ingredients. Because even if the stores are open later, you know the rest of us are hoarding all the green bean casserole parts. Enjoy!
Jules, if I had two sweet little girls like yours, I’d be all over Christmas, too. It must be so wonderful to see it through their eyes. And they’re lucky to have a smart, creative, fun mother like you who can make it all the more enchanting.
December 24th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I have to say, I would NEVER EVER EVER allow a book contract to be due in January. These things must be negotiable. Talk about total suckitudeness.
December 24th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
Yeah, Patrick, but what if you secretly want an excuse to opt out of Christmas? Shhhhh . . .
December 24th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Well… the jig is up. My secret squirrel insider blog info which allowed me to be THE FIRST COMMENTER for the first time ever has been revealed to the entire blog. Now you all know I’m not so cool that I just KNOW when Robin has posted a blog, as I would have had everyone believe. No, I am not psychic… and yes, I had insider information…
December 24th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Well, I was feeling pretty good about Christmas (Oblivion on the Xbox, presents to wrap, pies to bake…) and then the UPS man dropped off my latest manuscript with copyedits! It’s become something of a tradition here at Lyga Central: On Christmas Eve, Santa comes a little early and JUST as I’m starting to relax, I get copyedits or page-proofs and then I spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s stressing.
Ah, well. Once I kill a few more dremora and a couple of xivari, I’ll feel much better.
And shame on you, Robin, for outing Emily!
December 24th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Sorry about outing you, Em. No one will remember this tomorrow. You can go back to anonymity.
Barry, sorry to be the voice of reason, but remember back to those days when either of us would have been ecstatic to get copyedits from a real editor at a real publishing house–on Christmas Eve or otherwise? Suck it up, man. This gets to be your real job now.
December 24th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
The stores are officially closed! Merry Christmas Eve! I have that gnawing feeling that I have forgotten to buy an essential ingredient for something…
Barry, I am impressed AND intrigued that you are baking pies. Wow.
Robin, I looked at the Tofurky today. Almost bought it, but decided not to since it serves four and no one else will eat it (wish you were here! I’d share!). I also imagined the reaction it would get from my mother-in-law. Not good. I’ll just fill up on all the side dishes and desserts.
Why are we making special meat dishes for our families, but nothing special for ourselves? Next year, let’s plan a main dish that we can enjoy too!
December 24th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Good question, Michelle–why do we do special things for others, and not ourselves? Have we learned nothing from The Friday List?
December 25th, 2007 at 12:50 am
@Michelle: Only one kind of pie, it turns out. I forgot to get evaporated milk, so no pumpkin pie. But the apple pie came out well, and I made up for the lack of pumpkin by making oatmeal cookies and peanut butter cookies.
Very tired now. Off to bed.
December 25th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
LOL! Other than my annual Christmas Eve surprise, I’m a total grinch. You’re in good company, Robin!
Funny though, two of my best girlfriends and I are having a party on Sunday and I’m looking forward to that totally. Maybe because the Christmas pressure is off. It’s just friends, most of whom are musicians, and will most likely be a musicfest of the most fun sort. Each of us is asking 10-20 of our friends. Yes, we have friends in common, but I think the surprises in the mix will make it even more wonderful. And three times the hands makes one third the work, which takes a lot of the pressure off too.
December 26th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I will! ^^ hehe