STOP CLEANING

Cleaning the Apple

I am spending a lot of time cleaning my desk.

I've cleaned the computer screen, the keyboard, it's very dirty between the grooves, and I've rearranged the bookshelves.

Cleaning is a dangerous activity for any writer.  It can take hours or in my case – days.

Just one more wipe over the rosewood slab that is my desk. It shines and a pink hue at the right time of the day, when the sun is low in the sky, reflects against my face as I write.

That is . .  if I was at my desk writing.

Something has happened in the last month. I haven't written much. About 1,000 words.

I've carried my manuscript everywhere I go.
I've thought about the story, the characters and even sent off the first 50 pages for selection to the 2011 Harper Collins/Varuna Fellowship.

Trouble is, I have a lot more to write. 50,000 words at least. And cleaning my desk or screen with fresh smelling euc oil isn't going to get me a novel.

The less I write, the less confidence I have in myself and . . .  the less I write.

I know the solution is to write hard, write fast, don't edit, don't think to much, get in the zone. Write, write, write.

Stop cleaning and write.
I am shouting this at myself right now.
I need to be much harsher on myself.
I need to create my own deadline and write to it.

Write for god's sake.


Pic taken in Sydney CBD, late at night when the Mac Shop gets its Apple cleaned.