Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Crunch Time

While driving across town last week, I was stopped at a stop light. I watched as two rather strange men used the cross walk in front of me. I was trying not be be obvious as I stared rather rudely, and I hope they didn't notice me. Though I'm sure they must have been used to it. EVERYONE was staring.

Lucky for me, I had a distraction. It wasn't the kind of thing that would have distracted most people. It was a small twist of irony, in fact. Another - much more normal - man was crossing the same street, in the opposite direction. In his hand, he held a copy of a book. (One of these days, I hope to be able to write a post about how it was MY book he held, but no - not today.) But it was the book that caught my attention.

It was a copy of the book Nauvoo, Kingdom on the Mississippi. I've had a copy of that very book on my desk for the last couple months. I was supposed to be reading it, researching for my novel that takes place in modern day as well as old Nauvoo. Supposed to being the key word. It's a library book, and every time it comes close to being due, I just click on the renew button, and I'm good to go.

When I saw this guy with my book, it made me curious. What was he doing with it? Why was he reading it? How did he like it? Was he reading for work or for pleasure? I'm technically supposed to be reading for pleasure. I've chosen to be a writer. I've chosen to write this particular book. I even like to learn about history. So why can't I make myself read it!

A couple of days ago, I got an all too familiar email from the library, once again telling me the book was approaching it's due date. I once again went to the website and clicked on the renew button, promising myself I really would read it this time. If some random man walking down the street is reading it, surely I can too.

The problem was, I'd renewed it one too many times. It's due this Friday, and I have to take it back to the library, or I'll start building a fine. I know I could take it back, and then re-check it out again. Maybe that's what I'll end up doing. But I'm hoping that the pending due date will be motivation enough to bare down and do the stink'n research! (Honestly, you'd think someone was twisting my arm to get me to write this book!)

6 comments:

Janet Johnson said...

I've done that many a time. Yeah, the due date has never been enough motivation for me. Because I KNOW I CAN CHECK IT OUT AGAIN!

Good luck! :)

nephite blood spartan heart said...

That's happened to me quite a few times too and I can't explain it. Sometimes I am driven to read on a particular subject and I blaze through a dozen books related to it and other times I know I need to do research and it drags-somehow either I have lost vision of what I need to do and other times perhaps I should be working on something else entirely.

Keep at it.

Joanne said...

Maybe once you get into it, you'll find ways that the research can layer and build your novel, moving the plot along with a fresh authenticity from the facts? Sometimes just bringing fresh ideas to a project sparks motivation :)

MTeacress said...

*twisting* I can't wait to see your next chapter Kim!
Maybe once you get into the research, you won't be able to stop yourself.

Angie said...

It must have been fate. You can do it! You'll probably be glad you did.

Tiffany said...

Good Luck!!!