When Remodeling Your Kitchen Overtakes Your Writing

So, I am remodeling my kitchen. Not refacing, or upgrading, but actually demolishing the entire kitchen and moving it into the dining room where we can have a much more spacious area in which to cook.

What does this have to do with writing?

Well, two things really.

One: instead of upgrading or refacing, I really pushed for a complete redo. I often do this in my writing as well. Revising just seems pointless and so I will often just rewrite something. Completely. It usually turns out better and I often say it better the second time around. Now if it just needs some minor tweets, then I will touch those up, but if it is in need of a major overhaul, I start again. This was the attitude I had with the kitchen. It needed work--and a lot of work, not just a small amount. So why just place pretty doors on a crappy kitchen? Have you ever read a book because the title and the cover were really cool--only to be sorely disappointed with the actual words? I have. So this is something I have discovered about myself. First, I am attracted to pretty covers and titles; and second, I really don't like revision.

Two: I have been consumed by this project and let it get in the way of my writing. I didn't write for two weeks. Now, I only write on Sundays and so I really only missed two days, but two weeks away from your novel is heart wrenching and I began to miss it. By taking that time off though, my heart did grow fonder of my work and I was very happy to come back to it last Sunday. All of the manual labor was also nice because it allowed me to do something different and creative from another perspective. I learned how to build a wall and what size is the smallest item you should put in a 12 inch blade saw. That would be 6 inches (thank you Eric). Luckily, I still own all my digits and truly just enjoyed the power I welded with that machine. This helped me to also understand the power I also weld with a pen when I write and create stories, images, ideas that can be lifted from the page.

Of course, my kitchen isn't complete yet, but our floor is down and most electrical fittings and plumbing is now in place. Our cabinets and appliances are coming this week and all we have left to order is the range/hood and the faucet.

If you want to see our progress, check out my previous blog.