Posts
For the first time in weeks, I made a hundred bucks in roofing. Yay me.
You know the man has reverted into typical student behavior when he looks at you with a foolish smile pasted on his face the NIGHT before spring break ends, and says, "Uh. I have a paper due tomorrow that I need typed." Uh-huh. And to think I'd been so smug about dodging the teenage-nagging years. So, like a good mommie, I typed out "The Theme of Revenge in the Movie, The Count of Monte Cristo (2002) ."
Ranger Buddy has not seen this remake. He much, much preferred the older version. He called this new one "superficial nonsense." Heh. And, he mused, why must they have smart-alecky remarks while they're fighting to the death? I told him it was all Antonio Banderas' fault, but that just swished by him like Zorro's whip because the man had never seen that movie version either.
Admittedly, I'm envious. This man, who doesn't like to write, WROTE FOUR PAGES while I sat across from him struggling with my one page. At one point, as his pen's squiggles rivaled my keyboard tap-tap-taps, I wondered, in my authorly pain, how it had come to this.
I felt like the old SNL skit where the actor put a hand on his forehead and went, "I'm ACHT-ing!" Yeah, I was the WRIT-OR, but unfortunately, I had one page to his four. This man across the table was writing about Re-Venge and Ho-Nor, the human psyche that sought one and tried to live for the other, the power of Hate that fed the will to survive. And my one page? Reads like a medical journal entry dissecting a pile of rabbit turd.
Yes, I'm harshing on myself. That's what happens when I spend an hour editing four pages that don't belong to me. I made his paper so much better--A material--so why couldn't I make mine? Gah.
But I made $100 today, so I'm grateful. I'll pour myself a cup of coffee and I'll turn on the word processor, and hopefully, catch those illusive four or five pages this time.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Uber Roofer Vs Uber Writer
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Ah, writing. Fun, isn't it? I used to write a lot of computer articles for various magazines, most of which are now non-existant. And on a couple of occasions I just could not seem to write the damn article, so it ended up being an all-nighter the night before it had to leave. Pre-Internet, so this meant mailing the articles next day air.
Hope your writing is going better. And may more roofs come your way.
I call it the editor epiphany--the moment you realize just how much easier it is to correct than create.
Welcome to my world. The pay sucks. The snarky comments are unlimited.
Congrats on making roofing moola! Know how much Ben & Jerry's that's gonna buy you?
In my experience, non-fiction writing is much easier because you don't have to consider characterization, pacing or plot.
{{{hugs}}} on the writing. I'm in the same boat. It's like push, PUSH, PUSH!!! just to get a page done.
I'm sending my muse down to see you, since yours is off to Acapulco. Just remember to feed it a steady diet of Godiva and Number Eight.
Vince,
I hope you're feeling better.
Yeah, it's been a struggle lately to be creative. I hope to work through it. Getting some bills paid might help ;-).
SQ,
Ahem, I prefer ICHIBAN.
Kathleen,
Sometimes I wonder whether all this pushing is burning out the oil. I feel like traveling, immersing myself in the delights of a foreign culture and language. It's been a while.
Lady Zannah,
If your Muse has to stay with Number Eight, he'll tie her up and she'll be of no use to me afterwards! :::grin:::
That's half the fun, you'll be plenty creative should you be in that...ah...situation. Or so I've heard.
When you're finally done with those 4 or 5 pages, give them to RB to edit.
I feel like traveling, immersing myself in the delights of a foreign culture and language.
Right now I think travel is overrated. February in Minnesota during record lows. Enough said. My wallet is still reeling.
Of course, my opinion will probably change by the time July and San Francisco rolls in. ;-)
Post a Comment