I Love Writing, But I'm Not In Love With Writing

Yes, you heard that correctly. Writing and I have reached the point where we are definitely an old married couple without a lot of lust involved. Has this happened to you? Perhaps you loved writing, thought about it all the time, couldn't do without it -- but now, your goal is to have an extended vacation away from it?

I say these things because they're stereotypes about married couples -- my husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary next month and we aren't bored with one another. In fact, I hate being away from him even for a few days (I know -- glurge!) Perhaps we're even overly involved with one another. (Although studies say no...)

But writing and I, we have a very different kind of relationship. It's how I make a living, so I don't treat it as something special and capable of capturing my innermost thoughts. Maybe one day I'll see that I can do both and appreciate it more. Until then, I can't say I'm in love with it.

Do Writers Actually Do This To Each Other?



My anti-anxiety meds.

 I received an odd e-mail the other day from Lauren Lipton, of the "Adventures in Freelancing" animated shorts below, asking me to cease and desist  because of my last post, also an Xtranormal animated short because it was too much like *hers.* She asked me to change the characters and voices so they aren't like hers -- well, one of the three she's done.  Does she understand that Xtranormal has only a few free scenarios, and few voices and characters? That one of them is bound to have the same permutations as she has -- and is she also sending an e-mail to Geico because they also include similar characters and voices? (Probably not, because they made it first.)

Anyway, I have no intention of ceasing and desisting anything. It's too bad because before all this, I thought what she wrote was very funny (although I don't write for women's magazines much, I think she nailed it) and only thought of her positively. I guess it goes to show that most writers deal with insecurity in different ways. Mine involves inordinate amounts of ice cream.

Adventures in Journalism -- The Layoff

An animated feature based on an exchange with my former boss two years ago. At least I can find the humor in it now!

OK, How Could I Resist? I Couldn't.

Here's my new animation from Xtranormal! All about blogging and the dangers therein. Bloggers beware!

Freelance Fun!

I saw this on Mediabistro.com and knew my blog had to have it. Hilarious. See the follow up about the pushy PR person.

And everyone's favorite -- the ultra-pushy, annoying PR "professional." God save us!

Take A Break! You'll Need It!

It's a tough market out there. People who tell you otherwise are trying to sell you something. Does that mean there's still money out there? Yes, but it means you're going to have to be a bit more determined and develop a thicker skin for rejection.
I know, doesn't that fill you with hope and enthusiasm?!? I'm still working and making money but I've found out that working less is actually probably healthier for me. I can use the time to get into shape and take care of myself, something I haven't been doing for the last four years. That really came home to me in the last few months.

I've been noticing all the women driving on the highways of Northern California eating over the steering wheel, their eyes on the road. And it's almost always women, even with a carseat in the car. And I've thought, "That's no way to live."

So if you're out there eating in your car, putting off time or health care for yourself but spending it on others, it's time to take a break. For your own sake and the sake of your family. Take at least 10 minutes of your day to eat a meal at a table, think abour your day and what you're doing to get closer to your goals. You owe youself that.