Here's to you, Mrs. Kennedy

Eden was here for two weeks. And oh, how we worked. By the end we had added almost 9,000 words to our manuscript. We actually wrote quite a bit more, because countless other, less-good words were deleted. So many words. My brain still hurts, from all the idea-making and subsequent word-typing actions.

We've got 17 chapters. Plus an introduction. And holy crap, they're almost done. I stress ALMOST.

Sometimes we worked at my place, but mostly we were at Eden's mother-in-law's apartment. Which was nice, but, sadly, pet-free. And everyone knows you need pets to get you through when you think everything you're writing sucks.

Being here also meant being with Scott, who liked to take pictures of us at work. Oh man, do I need a haircut.

I think we consumed at least 30 cups of tea. Maybe almost that much coffee.

And yet still I kept falling asleep. What can I say? Writing is hard, and hard work makes me sleepy. But then, most things make me sleepy. Sunlight, for instance, and sitting. It's not hard to get me to nod off.

I invited Eden more than once to an afternoon dance break, but she never once took me up on it. Not once! She just smiled and kept working as I jerked my limbs around in a futile attempt to stay awake.

Then she called Jackson, so he could say hi to the cat.

It was hard, all that work, but I kind of want to do it all over again. She makes an excellent writing partner. These are not easy to find. If you're going to need a writing partner, you couldn't do much better. Hands off Eden, though--you get your own.

Dance break!

Comments

[Nicole]

I love the photo of the cup of tea with steam.

[Heather]

You two are too adorable for words. Please be my friends? Pretty please?

[Viv]

How lovely to see two fantastic writers (and great women to boot) together.

[Accidental Olympian]

ANYTHING is manageable with a dance break.

[Ruth]

I'm sorry .... my brain stopped translating letters after the picture of somebody's handknit socks (the green ones, on the left). It literally stopped considering everything else and turned to figuring out what kind of heel the knitter had used (looks like slip stitch).

I think I need a dance break.

[Anne]

The wall of posty chapter organization WARMS MY HEART. I would organize my life by posting shit on the walls like that, but I have three cats and those fuckers are always messing things up by distracting me from organization with warm cuddles and...and...I think I need a nap now.

[Jen]

OMG - afternoon dance break? What a fabulous idea!

[Alice Bradley]

Ruth: I do believe that is Angela of Fluid Pudding's work. 

[Mrs. Kennedy]

They are! Angela Fluid Pudding made those for me! http://fluidpudding.com/

[Riann]

hats off to you both! Hard work always makes the end result that much sweeter. I recommend the both of you getting some sort of computer cart. I just got one at you-know-where-Mart, and it's cheap and functional and to-die-for.Way to go!

[Average Jane]

I cannot wait to buy lots and lots of copies! And read it, of course.

Your cat looks much like our cat, Xena: tiny head and HUGE body.

[Wahlyn]

In a comment completely unrelated to your post, I LOVE your lamp. And I'm not usually fond of lamps in general. But that one is pure bliss.

[Daniel]

I see I'm not the only one who admired the socks.

[Leeann]

You guys are so stinkin' cute. Can I write a book with you next? My qualifications include liking tea, dogs and dance breaks.

[Eva]

I really love your lamp.

[Christy]

Your home looks so cozy and lovely! Very jealous of that bay window.

[JustLinda]

Nobody wants to be my writing partner, darnit. I'll just have to settle for the voices in my head, I suppose....

[anita]

You need one of these laptop stands so you can work up to the very last second before you nod off: http://www.matalangit.com/urban-trend/nottable-laptop-stand-support-multi-articles-notebooks/

[Jen]

So I am doing an afternoon dance break in your honor...I am almost certain that this was learned behavior from a certain institute of higher education that we both attended. I certainly participated and honed my afternoon dance break skills throughout my four years there.

[JRM]

Ooh I like your place, cool lamp!

[Ruth]

Lucky Eden! The only thing more fun than wearing socks you knit yourself is wearing socks someone knit for you.

[jenB]

This post made me all smiley. You two working together is a genius move created by the universe or unicorns, or Unitarians? Anyways, it's awesome and warms my heart to read a bit about your process and see the photos. (thanks Scott)

[Alexandra]

Totally out of the blue, but I just happened to catch a "Momversation", the one called "How flippin' tired are you?"

Oh, you are so very very funny. Your story on flashing the FedEx guy, just wonderful. I love it..."...here's my package."

That one is a gem.

[Alexandra]

P.S. Can't wait for the book! I know I'm going to just giggle my way through it, along with moments of sad head nodding while I relate, in between murmurs of "It's true..it's true."

Thank you for your love of writing, where would we be without encouraging words from others, and laughing at circumstances...when you just get so tired of the crying?

Women and words, they save me daily.

[gill]

Hey Alice, great stuff. I so identify with the anti-birthday party thing. I spent most of my life thinking I was the only one who hated parties. The cure for me was doing an anti-social party: as in your teens when you party at the house of one of your group whose parents are out. Tip: try anti social behaviour as an anidote to social anxiety. Works for me (and my son)!