Sharon Creech's Blog, page 26

Puppy

Children with New Puppy
The grandchildren got a new puppy. 
They'd been hoping and dreaming and wishing.  
Look at these faces.
Lucky children.
Lucky dog.
Bliss.

Catching Bats and Ideas

I took this photo last night at sunset, trying to capture the bats flying just below the branches, black flashes silhouetted against the lake. There were about a dozen of them zinging back and forth.  I took six or seven photos in quick succession, sure that I had caught them, but I don't see them now.

When I am in book-writing mode, I often try to capture quick flashes that flit through my mind–a scene, an image, a snip of dialogue–but sometimes they elude me, like the bats. I know they were there, but where have they gone?

Quilling

I've just discovered quilling. Please, please do not let me become addicted.

Check out this 40 second video:

http://vimeo.com/15033988

Writing Day

We've had a week of rain after a dry spell, and the roses in the garden are loving it.

In the shower this morning, the next two chapters of current work-in-progress revealed themselves to me.

Just like that.


All that pausing for paws (last blog) and flowers and what-not, watered by the shower, must have nurtured the story.

Writing Pause for Paws

I'm working on a story.

I'm sitting dutifully at my desk and my fingers are tapping out words.

Out of the corner of my eye, I sense something waving at me.

Squirrel.

Having a picnic on the deck.

Making a bigga mess.

What was I doing
What was I thinking
Where was I . . .?

Why It Takes So Long to Write a Book

Sure, there are the normal things like cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, doctors, dentists, children, spouses, friends, family that need attention.

But then, also: there is the pale moon framed by branches

and


the flowers waving
and 


beckoning

and so

you have to stop

and pay attention

right?

On the Desk, Part Two

More things on the desk . . .
Above, the essential computer plus a couple lucky turtles.

Dozens of family photos . . ..

Flowers from the yard (these are Rose of *Sharon*) in Ikebana vase

Mini-dark-chocolate Milky Way

Camera

And oh yes, the manuscript-in-progress:66 pages of rough draft prose

And observing me and my desk is this squirrelthree feet in front of meeye level.
Is your desk near a window? 

On the Desk

Back in the writing mode.  Here are a few things on the desk.  Above:  Rotring T 0.7 automatic pencil; Sharpie ultra fine point marker; Pilot Precise V5 RT pen; and Magic Rub eraser.


Above:  small index cards and colored pieces of paper for jotting notes as I go - reminders of things to fix or include in current pages.


Above:  hot tea and cold fizzy water (usually with lime).

Above: what I call a 'fingerling' - a smooth piece of wood in a pleasing shape and pattern (gift from an artist/craftsman friend.)  Helps me think in between scenes.

More 'things on the desk' in days ahead.

Do you have a favorite pen/pencil and/or beverage that aid your work?

August Mishmash

It's nearing the end of August, and the giant hibiscus (above, about 7 inches in diameter) offer up their fragile blooms for a last bright burst.

Pears are nearly ripe:


A few plants are showing autumn colors:


This young chipmunk will soon be gathering nuts:

And I am returning to the work-in-progress, gathering my words, hunkering down.
How does your life change as the summer ends?

Storm and Baby Squirrels

Yesterday morning a fierce storm blew through here, shearing the tops of solid, old trees.  Scary, but no damage to people or structures.

Today, when we were investigating the tree damage, we had this hollow hickory taken down, and -


- we heard squeaking.  Out of a knothole, fell these baby squirrels:

We saved a section of the tree and, using sterile gloves, placed the babies back inside. We could hear the mother scolding from nearby, so we know she's aware.
I was going to write this morning, but . . . I got distracted.