Jennifer Crusie's Blog, page 58

Happiness is Simple Clean

I’ve decided to sell this house which won’t be easy for any number of reasons, but a big one is that it’s full of stuff I’ve accumulated for years. I’ve tried sorting things out into separate piles, finding new ways to store things, prioritizing, and none of it worked. So this month (and next) the things in my house come in two categories: Things I Need To Take With Me When I Move and Dumpster. No trying to value things, predict future usability, remember how much I dropped on the damn thing, nothing but “Am I willing to load and unload this in the next move?” If no, it goes into the dumpster regardless of value, monetary or sentimental. The simplicity of it makes me happy. And the dumpster makes me ecstatic.

What made you happy this week?

State of the Collaboration: How to Brainstorm a Sex Scene

Yes, I’m still alive. I’m filling dumpsters and throwing out things with abandon. I’m sure when this is all done, I’ll be thrilled. Or at least glad it’s all done.

But we are still working on Rocky Start. Bob is solving a Russian problem, and I am once more stuck with the sex scene(s). Because the YEC is my part of the partnership.*

**

* YEC = Yucky Emotional Crap
** Taking One for the Team Debacle
*** Inspiration for Sex Scene

This is a Working Wednesday on Friday Because I Was Overwhelmed and Forgot What Day It Was, Sorry About That

This week I revised a novel, plotted a sex scene for another novel, filled a dumpster, bathed a dog, and forgot it was Wednesday. Really sorry about that.

What did you work on this week?

This is a Good Book Thursday, March 23, 2023

I missed Wednesday. We’ll do a Working Friday instead. It’s been nuts here. Never try to do four big things at once. I forgot to shower, too. Like for a week. TMI? Really sorry about that.

This week I read the side of a dumpster to make sure I didn’t put anything in there that I shouldn’t. It was riveting.

What did you read this week?

Happiness is Progress

So this week two guys came in and basically scalped my yard, getting rid of a ton of limbs and grass and miscellaneous trash, and then I ordered a dumpster to put it all in along with all the stuff I’m discarding as I empty out this house. It’s stressful, but it also makes me happy. PROGRESS!

How did you progress on happiness this week?

This is a Good Book Thursday, March 16, 2023

Connie Willis’s Crosstalk is on sale for $1.99, which is a great deal because it’s a great book. “Science fiction icon Connie Willis brilliantly mixes a speculative plot, the wit of Nora Ephron, and the comedic flair of P. G. Wodehouse in Crosstalk—a genre-bending novel that pushes social media, smartphone technology, and twenty-four-hour availability to hilarious and chilling extremes as one young woman abruptly finds herself with way more connectivity than she ever desired.” So yes,it’s quirky–at the request of her boyfriend, a woman signs up for a procedure that will increase the empathy between them and it works really well, just not with him. I loved it, but then it’s Connie Willis.

What did you read this week?

Working Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Today is the Ides of March. Word of advice: If you’re a Roman senator, today is a good day to work from home.

What did you work on this week?

Happiness is a Goal

You know those times in your life when things seem overwhelming so you gear yourself up and say, “The only way through it is to do it”? Yeah, I’m in one of those, have been for awhile, but I was doing things because I had to not because I wanted to. The slog. And then something appeared on the horizon that I decided I wanted. And suddenly everything I was wading through became Things To Get Done Because I Want That Goal. Which is an ENTIRELY different thing. A goal is a good thing; a goal with a brand new future waiting behind it is an excellent thing. My advice? Get yourself a goal.

How did you aim for happiness this week?

This is a Good Book Thursday, March 9, 2023

This week I’m watching Apollo Robbins videos and reading about magic and neuroscience for Rocky Start. It’s fascinating. And I also started Louise Penny’s mystery series and it’s great so far. I love it when I find a series I like: endless possibilities.

What did you read this week?

Working Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Today, I am writing Rocky Start and Bob is revising Lavender. Then we’ll trade off. It’s a plan.

What did you do this week?