Reading Isn't Procrastination, Is It?

from the archives...4 May, 2010

Yet another long moment (by moment I mean weeks) of procrastination, but this time I blame fellow authors and their addictive tales. My urges to pick up a pen, or in the case of this modern world, the laptop, has fizzled a little. I think because I am torn between which of my ongoing manusciprts to work on.

They all call.

Constantly.

I blame some of it on my most recent inspiring books (not by me) of which are tugging me in all directions. Here they are, my current list of reads and still reading's. Not to place blame, oh wise authors, but drat. I am frustrated with your brilliance and ability to fuel my obsessions....

Christopher Moore. You are first because I just finished Bite Me. I hate to pick on you, but I cannot get enough of Abby Normal. And to find your recent novel being written mostly in the tone of Abby Von Normal's Journal of a self-proclaimed Vampire Minion...what is one to do. I thought finishing this one would cure me. It hasn't. I only want more of the Goth Girl. Oh, Mr. Moore, you pulled me in again. Not that I am surprised. (And I am not done with you. See below.)

Julia Quinn. Okay. I thought I had this one licked. I finished yet another installment of her wit, humor, sarcasm, heroes and heroines, and of course, romance. I thought I had this one. I have reread so many of her books and managed to survive. But no, she has announced the release of a follow up to What Happens in London. And I am drawn now to re-read that one. (And-preorder-a-signed-by-the-author-copy-on-line-at-a-small-extra-cost-for-shipping-that-I-would-save-in-waiting. Though wait I cannot.


[Sadly, a good portion of this list is comprised of re-reads. How is that for procrastination at it's best?]

Next, Emily the Strange, Stranger and Stranger. Yes, it is a teen fiction. Yes I am 26 and holding (I won't say for how long) but this whole Goth, darkness, black of night stuff has me caught up. (See above.)

I, Mona Lisa. I am taking this one slow. It is somewhat like a long, refreshing walk through the beauty of Medieval Italy, the sights and sounds glorious, the birds chirping, sculptures simply come alive on the page, history jumps from the page and--Wait! What's this? Murder...Mayhem...Evils of the Church! And Divinci?

Let's just say my Medieval themed Historical Novel has been fueled.

Wuthering Heights. Yes, I said it!! Yes, I am reading it again.

Shut up. Bronte has a knack for stepping in my path of prorastination in the worst way.

[*writer sighs shamfully with head down*]

I also started Fool again.

Not my fault.

It's the catchy Brit Slang! It cannot be helped! How do you put down a book that begins with "Warning: This is a bawdy tale. Herin you will find gratuitous shagging, murder, spanking, maiming, treason, and heretofore unexplored heights of vulgarity..."

And it has a map.

Right. So. All but two I am revisiting. Can you guess that my writer's side is torn between manuscripts of Medieval History, Regency Romance, Goth Teen Fiction and oh, a list of others that whisper, "you know you want to pick up something new by--"

No I don't!

(Sorry for yelling.)