Monday Musings…
I was attempting to write a story to enter into the Writer’s Digest BIG CONTEST. The one they have every year. I’ve entered 3 times and received one honorable mention (I think I was 40th out a 60 gazillion writers). The deadline is May 6. There is a later deadline but that is neither here nor there.
So the pressure was on and I stalled out and wrote a story then posted it HERE. Hmmmm. It was ok. But it was a Vampire story. Nothing deep. Nothing literary. OK it was deep. Vampire meets girl, Vampire loses girl, Girl meets boy, Boy cheats on girl, Boy leaves girl, Vampire kills boy. Short, sweet and to the point. I liked it but…fun story, not great writing.
Then I thought I’d just use my last post about the Elders as a stand alone story. Hmmmmm. I liked it but will anyone else? I loved it. But it was so simple. Simple is good. Cats are simple (ok, bad example). Dogs are simple. Men are simple (HA HA just kidding guys, I still can’t figure you out.)
I write alone. I write in the dark. I write to amuse myself. So when it turns into work or it isn’t a huge project I stall. My brain, which is usually working overtime just quits. Completely quits like a cat sleeping on a warm day, curled up in a law chair, not a care in the world and not a single thought going through that feline brain. That is me, not a thought in my head.
Having a self-imposed deadline loom is like being on stage and forgetting all of my lines. It is like accidentally pouring peppermint schnapps in the cranberry sauce instead of triple sec (oh so bad). It is like drinking blood from someone on meth (I haven’t but I know Vampires who have). It is like driving a Fiat (believe me I can’t even count how many times I was stalled out on the side of the road.)
So I tossed the deadline and said…NO. I don’t have time for this. I’m ready to have a nervous breakdown (pretty pathetic for a Vampire.)
There are too many other deadlines, work, kids school stuff, planting night-blooming flowers…
I rarely say no but alas I must…maybe…I have another 24 hours to edit a little more.
Then I think about my kids saying “Go for it mom”. I’ll see…
~ Juliette aka Vampire Maman
Vampire Maman 
I suspect that people who talk of nervous breakdowns don’t have them, but just in case, there may be an upside – at least according to Andy Warhol:
“The girls in California were probably prettier in a standard sense than the New York girls–blonder and in better health, I guess; but I still preferred the way the girls in New York looked–stranger and more neurotic (a girl always looked more beautiful and fragile when she was about to have a nervous breakdown).”
Sometimes common sense has to trump “go for it”. Good night, J.
Paul
Thanks Paul. I think I will go for it! ~ Juliette
Good for you !
I seem to remember there was a story written somewhere in your past that you did not submit for another contest. Why not drag that one out? <yes, I'm your over achieving friend and you can tell me to shut up because I do admire that you've learned how to say, "no", although it's taken a few centuries.)
There were a lot of those stories. Oh right, THAT ONE. It doesn’t fit for this contest. But there are others. Many have been already published in the WPaD anthologies. But yes, without the creepy Cathy Bates thing going on, you’re my biggest fan and I always appreciate your feedback. I wouldn’t be doing this without your support.
I agree. There are too many deadlines. I never submit anything to anything. Could be a failing. And I will certainly never be known for what I write, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to…
It is hard. The deadlines for anything I’m getting paid for, or for my family are no brainers. They are all met. It is the other things, those optional things that for some unknown reason seem scary – like facing a pissed off Werewolf with a plate full of vegetables.
Deadlines are a mixed blessing.
Yes indeed, but always a blessing when you have support from the children in your life.
My son is one of my biggest supporters. He loves to tell people about my writing and my art. It’s sweet and heartening.
Ugh… I worked with deadlines before and hated the pressure. Well written, Juliette!!