2010 October » Leah Cutter -- writer/traveler

Where ever you go, there you are

Oct 302010

I picked up my keys this morning. Kept grinning because I couldn’t believe it — I’m here! I’m going to be living here! In this amazing, oh so special city!

I did allow myself a purchase today — my first pair of replacement earrings. I’d felt so naked without any earrings. They were expensive, but handmade by a local artist, silver and tourmaline, kind of pink and green — I guess watermelon color. According to one site, this stone heals old emotional pains and brings emotional understanding. I don’t necessarily believe in that, on the one hand. On the other, I have a sense that being in New Orleans will help heal something inside me. I’m not sure what. I’m not really sure what’s broken. But something.

Tonight there was a Halloween parade. Got lots of beads. I’d given away all my beads during my going away party, so I needed some. Though chances are I’ll be giving many of these away as well. . . (^_^) It was also a lot of fun walking around and seeing all the costumes. I was able to grab a window seat for dinner and got to watch a lot walking by as well.

I’m really too tired to write still. I had a nice 9 hour sleep last night, and two naps today, and am only starting to feel vaguely human. Hopefully tomorrow, after another good night’s sleep, I’ll be even better. I have been thinking about the novels, though.

Blather about writing and process and such

()$%&$*()#()!!!

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Oct 282010

Woke up at 5:30 this morning because I realized one other thing that was in the box.

My box of jewelry.

All my earrings.

All my mother’s earrings.

Possibly my mother’s diamond necklace. (There’s a chance I packed this someplace else. I won’t be able to figure that out until I get to New Orleans. I may have really hidden this though in another box.)

Can’t go back to sleep at this point, so I may as well get up early and hit the road.

Now I’m even more pissed at myself.

Also — one of my credit card numbers has been stolen. People in San Jose were trying to use it at Target. *sigh*

And the road goes on and on. . .

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Oct 272010

I’m exhausted and so rambling. You’ve been warned.

I’m also pissed off at myself. I took a box out of my car, then put it on the ground, intending to bring it into the hotel room. I realized I’d forgotten the box a couple hours later. Checked the parking lot — it isn’t there. As well as the front desk. *sigh* Box had a lot of things that I’m going to want. Like my Aeropress coffee maker. And my favorite mug. My good coffee. My tea. All can be replaced, but still. Argh.

That kind of answers the question about whether I’m going to try to push and get to New Orleans Friday night, or if I’m going to take it a bit easier, and not get there until Saturday sometime. If I’m that tired, I probably shouldn’t push, right?

Kitty is both better and worse. Better — once we get to the hotel she only hides for a little while, then comes out and explores. Spends a lot of time exploring and sniffing. Doesn’t want to play, but will stretch out on the ground and demand skritches. She’s also eating and using her litter box.

Worse — She needs breaks now. The first couple of days she didn’t. Now, she insists on getting out of the carrier at least once an hour. I’ve started setting a timer, because she’ll fall asleep in my lap and we’ll sit there for 20+ minutes.

This means, for every 6 hours of driving, add another hour of breaks, at least. So that means if I pushed myself, driving 9+ hours a day, it’s actually closer to 11 hours of travel time. I’m so tired I’m not sure that’s safe.

I’m sure I have more rambling, but I think I’m just going to bed.

Big Sky

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Oct 262010

I’ve been driving for the last two days. Three more days to go. At least. Possibly more.

Kiera is doing better tonight.

Talk about the kitty, and LOTS of pictures!

Who me? Crazy?

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Oct 242010

I’ve been at a wonderful writer’s workshop for the last week. I feel as though I’ve gained a whole bunch of tools for my toolbox.

I’ve also been really inspired by this last week. So much so, I’m committed to writing another novel by the end of the year. (See subject, above.)

The working title: The Zydeco Queen and the Creole Fairy Courts. I figure the title gives you a good idea of what the book’s about. It’s quite possibly another YA — the protagonist is young, 17, through most of the book. We’ll see.

This morning while I was in the shower my brain thoughtfully supplied me with the first sentence of the first scene of the novel. I didn’t quite believe it. Maybe that was the first scene, maybe it wasn’t.

While I was grinding my coffee (I hand-grind my beans, so it’s another physical activity) my brain said, “And here’s the last sentence of that first scene.”

I don’t write to discover plot. I know the plot of this piece. I write to discover the emotional journey. The last sentence of this scene is perfect, and really sets up the emotional tone for the entire novel.

My subconscious was completely correct. The first scene it handed me is exactly where this novel needs to start in terms of the emotional journey.

You can guess what I did this morning. Any guesses other than “wrote the first scene of the new novel” don’t count.

It’s been storming off and on here in Oregon. The next time it stops raining I’ll pack up the car. Tomorrow I start the long drive, from here to New Orleans. Should be there by Friday. Though I’ve found a place to live, I’ll spend the first night or two when I get there at a B&B, until I get myself settled in. Not sure I’ll post much between now and then.

That long slow fade

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Oct 102010

Packed lots yesterday. Packed more today, as well as organized. Still more to do, but I’m feeling better. Didn’t write yesterday, today — but will tomorrow morning.

I’ve cleared out a lot — got rid of all the books on top of books on the shelves, cleaned off the tops of all surfaces, etc. I really like it. I may have to try to maintain less stuff when I come back.

I have a renter at least for the first two months of while I’m gone. I have a rental manager to help ensure that someone else rents it for the rest of the time.

I made pot roast tonight — I’ll eat off it for the rest of the week. Probably the last big meal I’ll make here for a while.

I get so excited thinking about traveling, about moving. It felt so good to clean out my drawers, throw away all the extra paper. It wasn’t that much, only about a bag’s worth, but it felt freeing. I’m going through my closet, the bathroom, and the kitchen now. Have already done the bedroom.

This is part of why I like to move. This clearing out of stuff. When I started feeling trapped here in Seattle a couple of years ago I cleaned my junk closet out, as if I was moving. And while I may feel anxiety for how much I have to do, the pleasure of the adventure is also riding high.

Moving forward through the mists

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Oct 072010

I may have found a place to live. . .

If Only May Come Someday

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Oct 062010

I have a timer on the work computer (as well as the home computer.) I work for 55 minutes, then I’m supposed to take a 5 minute break. I recently made myself a standing desk for doing the day job (nothing fancy — a bunch of books on one of my end tables.) Instead of taking a break for 5 minutes, I’ve been using the 55 minute limit as an indicator when I should stand up. I’m building up to standing up all day — right now I’m only doing half the day.

But. I really need to actually take those 5 minutes off, away from the computer and the day job and give myself a real break. No wonder I’ve felt so tired, and burned out.

Quick rambling thoughts about fixes to novel #1 — spoilers abound!

It’s October 1st

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Oct 012010

I leave Seattle October 16th.

I will not be finished rewriting the first novel by then, though I’m making a real effort. There are just too many things to do on the weekends for me to dive into it for hours and hours. *sigh* I will be close to finished. I hope. I’m currently in chapter five, out of 17.

I don’t have anyone to rent my place yet.

I don’t have a place to live in New Orleans — they all either want a 1 year contract or don’t want cats.

I have *far* too much on my plate in terms of the day job.

All in all — see icon.

and yes I know I’m just whining I’ve done all of this to myself — no one else to blame.