#AtoZChallenge D: Downtime
Downtime
is essential to keep a writer moving. I used to think that I had to just keep working. Keep going even when the words were crap. And you do have to do that…to a point. But what writers REALLY need to do is walk away from the story and find other outlets for themselves.
In the end it only makes us stronger writers. Even if it’s just watching TV like above. Hi. Um, I want to dive into that theater pit with about nineteen pillows and watch a Dr. Who marathon on my Netflix streaming. Sad, but true. I love immersing myself in a genre outside of what I write. In the end, the storytelling is the same. The goals are similar, just the way of telling the story is the difference.
It also helps me get out of my own way. Self doubt is an evil and insidious thing. It sneaks in just as you think you’re really doing all right on a story. I just destressed with a few mindless action movies and now I’m going to go back and see if I can put my characters back to rights.
How do you destress? What’s your favorite thing to do in your downtime?
REVIEW: Heart Signs, Cari Quinn
Heart Signs
by
Cari Quinn
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
Okay, you’ll see from the quote-a-palooza on GR that I loved this story. (See them here.) Sam Miller is one of those characters that climbs into your brain and burrows in for a good long stay. He’s emotional, rough around the edges, sad, guilt ridden, hopeless, hopeful, and a host of other adjectives. You know why I can keep listing off things to tell you about Sam?
Because Cari showed me again and again just what Sam was thinking, feeling, and doing all through this novel. And man…I felt for him every inch of the way.
Then you have Rory Fowler. She’s never trusted her own instincts when it comes to relationships. Instead, she hid behind friends with benefits relationships that she knew would never move beyond that level. She liked the uncomplicated. She may have even needed the uncomplicated. Watching her come to terms with the emotions that Sam brings out in her is messy, funny, and sometimes sad. And through it all you couldn’t help but root for these guys.
The sigh factor is about as huge as you can get.
Read this.
NOW.
Even if you’re worried about the ‘sad’ factor because of Sam’s circumstances. It’s worth the journey.