Happy Wednesday! I’m not at my best today. I had some dental work done yesterday (nothing major), but I’m still feeling a bit sore. Anything like that usually makes my fibro worse, so I’m having a low-key day while I recover.
I haven’t written much since last week. I did a bit of housekeeping, digging around in some old files. I also added a couple scenes to Minuet. I could write a whole blog post about this, but I realized that a big part of my lack of motivation is that I never envisioned being a career writer. I like writing (and getting paid to do it). But it’s not something I want to do as a means of paying the bills.
Anyway, despite that, I still do like working on my various projects. So here’s my snippet for the week, still from Minuet. We left Mack and Amelia sitting in South Station, waiting for the commuter train. Mack had some angry thoughts about Sage (and himself).
WIPmath: 1/10/2018 = 18 – (2 + 0) = 16 sentences
Amelia tapped Mack’s wrist. “You’re thinking too hard.”
Mack let her take his hand, but he looked away, staring at the long line at the McDonald’s counter. He wasn’t angry with her for trying so hard or for how much she’d once cared about Sage. She’d known him longer than either of them knew Mack. She hadn’t even questioned Mack when he’d called her to say he’d taken the day off and needed her to accompany him. He couldn’t ask her to do any more than she already had.
So he lied about what was on his mind. “I’m wondering if Jamie will be awake when we get back, that’s all.”
“You’re worried about him.” She gently turned Mack’s head so he was looking at her. How did she know him so well? “He will be okay. He’s with the others. I meant what I said. He’ll eventually realize he’s not alone anymore.”
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I wouldn’t be surprised if Amelia knows *everything* Mack is thinking.
She probably does! I think deep down, he knows it, too.
Aw, Mack. I want to give him a hug then a big shove to get him out of his head. 🙂
Heh, he deserves that. No worries, eventually someone will get around to giving him both. 🙂
So Mack’s a worrier and Amelia’s the voice of at least semi-reason.
You’ll hear amazing and often questionable conversations while standing in line at McDonald’s. This would have been an amazing one to eavesdrop on.
Yeah, Mack’s definitely a worrier, but he often funnels that into trying to sound wise and aloof. Amelia is definitely the more practical of the two of them.
I love people-watching in South Station. The McDonald’s there is always busy, too, so there are plenty of opportunities to hear those amazing and questionable conversations.
Overheard conversations spark so many of my ideas. And people-watching in busy restaurants… the best!
I get what you’re saying about not wanting to be a career writer. That’s okay in my book. Does everything we love have to have a “duty” placed on it?
(Sorry to hear about the teeth pain and the ow! fibro… Many non-abrasive, super soft virtual (the least owwy kind) hugs.)
Heh, yes, restaurants provide a wealth of fascinating ideas.
I love the job that actually pays well—my editing. It’s fun, and I like working with my clients. But writing as a career? No. I was offered an occasional slot as a staff writer for an online magazine. But what they were looking for and what I could provide were at odds, so I turned it down.
I’m finally feeling less ouchy today. I’ll definitely take those non-owwy hugs! I sing with my church choir, and I’m the youngest member most weeks by about 15 years. The advantage is that half the members have various chronic pain, so they all know how to give hugs that don’t hurt. It’s nice. 🙂
I’m looking forward to someone knocking (or pulling) Mack out of his head. I’m not at all good with mindreading.
Gentle hugs to you. I also hear you about writing for a living. I edit a lot in my day job, so I can see the attraction there, but I truly prefer writing about what I want, without needing it to put food on the table.
I’m terrible at mind reading myself. Mack will eventually figure out he has to say what’s on his mind.
Writing about what I want…yes. I’m no good at writing to the market.
The conversation here between Mack and Amelia makes me want to know more about their relationship, especially as their interaction reveals much about each character (without delving into backstory). I also liked that story about those choir members older than you. I also have a set of friends about 10 years older. Makes me grateful every day for my health and energy. Good for you in saying ‘no’ to a job that would push your writing in a direction away from your own writing. And I hope all that discomfort re health continues to ease.
It’s been a challenge revealing things the right way, since this is part of a series. Re-caps have to happen a bit at the beginning, but I’m trying to do it in a way that doesn’t feel like I’ve dumped backstory.
I’ve always gravitated toward having friends older than I am. It’s been especially nice as my kids have grown up and I can benefit from a whole lot of “been there, done that” wisdom.