Toys!
All writers have toys. I don't care if you are as prolific as Nora Roberts or as reclusive as the late JD Salinger, as a writer, there is something on your desk that you use to distract you when you need a break – that will then get put away when you need to concentrate.
Of course, my biggest toy is my computer… with its internet connection, there is no end to the "research" that can take me away from writing (and contrary to what some might say, I *do* need to know the details of the latest celebrity breakup. Really. I do. For research.)
But I'm slowly amassing a small collection of more analog toys, and the more I sit at my desk and type, the more they develop personalities of their own.
The Dancing Man.
Or the dancing woman. This little posable figurine is meant to be used for figure drawing in art classes, but I'm thinking of painting a small tutu on it and having my own reenactment of Black Swan.
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The Pinatas.
I had a small obsession with the video game Viva Pinata. Yes, it's geared toward children. It still took me almost two years to beat the darn thing, so I think I got my money's worth. These were given to me by someone who was geeky enough to know that when the game first came out, these toys were in kids' meals at fast food restaurants. Ebay is a marvelous place, isn't it? Don't worry about the Sparrowmint in the middle. Horstachio's his buddy, and will protect him from the Cocadile.
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The FuBall.
A stress ball should be in every writer's arsenal. There are times when your agents/editors/characters/downturningmarket/family/gasprices frustrate you to the point where the only thing that can make you feel better is to squeeze the living daylights out of something. The fact that this one is emblazoned with a particularly succinct abbreviation is just bonus.
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The Tardis.
This is my piece de resistance. My favorite plastic thing ever acquired that just sits on a shelf. My Tardis surrounded by weeping angels. I don't move this one around much – after all, the angels can't move as long as you are looking at them, so I find it best to keep the delicate balance in place.
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What about you? Any fun toys on your desk that distract you when you need (or don't need) distracting?
Lots of writing for me this week, hopefully putting the finishing touches on one project, so I can clear my plate to work full steam ahead on another. Of course, this means lots of procrastinating and playing with toys. Until next week, everyone, Happy Reading!
