March 23, 2009
Here’s an affliction I inevitably come down with during any long writing project: whatever I’m working on, I want to be working on something else. I’ll be chugging along, making solid progress on the latest novel (as I am now) and suddenly, I’ll start daydreaming about a different project. The other project seems so much more bright and shiny and elegant than the one I’m working on. If only I could drop everything and get to work on it right away. The next thing I know, I’m taking time out from my current project to make notes or an outline, or better yet, to do research on the Internet for my new project. Because hey, it’s going to be so awesome, and the ideas are flowing right now, so why not go with it? Why look a gift muse in the mouth?
Meanwhile, I’m losing precious time on writing the current novel, falling behind schedule. What a pernicious disease, this “Other Project-itis.” Be on guard against it, as am I, and do your best to recognize the symptoms and combat full-blown outbreaks. Understand it’s only natural, when you’re deeply involved in a lengthy project, to want to drift to something that seems easier or at least more fun…but don’t let “Other Project-itis” kill your momentum. Awareness of “Other Project-itis” is half the battle. This message brought to you by the “Other Project-itis” Awareness Council.
And now for today’s travel photo. This one’s from Dover, New Hampshire in 1980. It’s a shot of family friends the Gembinskis along with our family on the rocky coast. Top row: John, Christopher, and Theresa Gembinski. Bottom row, Mary Gembinski, Mom, my brother Scott, and me. We visited the Gembinskis a number of times and always had a lot of fun. The coolest thing I remember? They had Domino’s Pizza years before we did back home! It boggled my mind: pizza, delivered to your house? We were so primitive. See you tomorrow!
Dover, New Hampshire, June 1980
