Adam@Home by Rob Harrell for June 19, 2013

I have a pen and mini-legal pad nearby for the “ooooh, that’s a great idea for a story” or “witty piece of dialogue I need to remember”. Story outlines are taped to the bookcase; I rent, so I cannot pull a Faulkner of literally writing on the walls.

I prepare myself to write daily: got my collection of hair elastics (ouchless/non-metal bands) so the hair is pulled into a high ponytail, got a glass of orange juice or CabSauv depending on the time of day, got ioSoundtracks (movie music) or ’today’s inspirational music’ on the iTunes, got the cat off the keyboard (usually at least three times), got one last look at Facebook (for at least 45 minutes), got the kitchen timer set for 30 minutes (hidden in a drawer so I don’t hear the ticktickticktick but do hear the briiinnnnng!) and I am off and writing. It may not be the current story, but at least I get 30 plus minutes of writing in for the day. Some ideas work, other s*ck, but at least I am getting something accomplished. Took me so many years to discipline myself to do this. Wish I could go back in time and kick my younger self in the dupah (Polish for ‘butt’) to be this organized.

Adam financially contributes to the household. His sources of income include the ghostwriting of holiday newsletters and other documents on a contracted basis. This is in addition to his duties of being a househusband.

I would love to get back to writing. I started writing a book in 7th grade that got great reviews but I never finished – life got in the way. I also use to write poetry.

MY problem is that I can’t focus long enough to ever complete a project, so I guess I have sort of the opposite of writer’s block. Still, getting up and doing something else for awhile does wonders for writer’s block anyway, and who says you can’t have leftover pizza at the same time?

I’m actually kind of surprised at the number of people here who have experience in writing.

Pretty harsh. I’m trying to find time now. I had a sick baby and school and different things. I still have school and now I have 5 children but I will get back to it.

He’s more focused on stuffing his face instead of earning some income that would put more food on his table.

Everything is already there. Sometimes I will reset the timer for longer times. Right now, I have a novel in progress, but sometimes I will pound out a short story, kind of on the order of “3 Minute Mysteries or Love Stories”. Most of my work is science-fiction/fantasy. Thanks for the kudos; I appreciate it!

“Do something else”.There’s a HOT blond sitting there and all this lazy slug can think of is heating leftover pizza?