キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Captain’s Log, Stardate 08.23.2006
Self-discipline: So y'all know I've been struggling with this for at least a year now, in relation to my writing, exercise, diet. And I'm still struggling.
So now I come to you guys for more help. How the heck do you discipline yourself???
I've been trying this new thing where I don't check e-mail until the evening so that I'm forced to do work all day. It's going okay, but I don't always fight the temptation to open my e-mail.
So??? Any tips for someone like me???
TMI:
Writing: Speaking of tips, I posted another synopsis-trimming tip on my Story Sensei blog. If you guys have a question for me, just e-mail me.
I'm working on the new story. Using Donald Maass's WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK to find more conflict, obstacles, turning points. This book totally rocks.
Self-discipline: So y'all know I've been struggling with this for at least a year now, in relation to my writing, exercise, diet. And I'm still struggling.
So now I come to you guys for more help. How the heck do you discipline yourself???
I've been trying this new thing where I don't check e-mail until the evening so that I'm forced to do work all day. It's going okay, but I don't always fight the temptation to open my e-mail.
So??? Any tips for someone like me???
TMI:
Writing: Speaking of tips, I posted another synopsis-trimming tip on my Story Sensei blog. If you guys have a question for me, just e-mail me.
I'm working on the new story. Using Donald Maass's WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WORKBOOK to find more conflict, obstacles, turning points. This book totally rocks.
Comments
I tell myself, "Work on this until 10:00. Then you can get up and get a glass of water. Work on this till noon; then you can go check Camy's blog." If I made myself wait until 5:00 or 8:00 at night, I'd go crazy! Start with baby steps. Write one paragraph, then get up and run around the house to get your energy back up.
Or just give in to the temptation. Ack! I didn't just say that! :)
Sarah
The other thing I would add is to be sure to write down your goals and to be sure to reward yourself. It can be something as simple as checking e-mail or blogs or time to just relax and read. Whatever works for you. I try to make the reward big enough to inspire me, so if I have something I'm really struggling with, I'll make the reward something I really, really want.
Why do we all struggle with that so much--at least most of us: Self-discipline and procrastination which go hand in hand? I know very few people who have their life managed so that they get things done promptly.
Sorry, don't have any advice. If I did, I'd take it myself. For me the best self-discipline comes with necessity. If it *has* to be done, then I'll get it done. Otherwise I'll just dawdle at it. Pathetic, isn't it? I'll have all sorts of excuses as well, e.g., I have to spare my arm, it's been hurting far too much. Or, I can't concentrate because everything is so noisy. Or, I'm too stressed out to do a proper job. And it is all true but I still wish I'd get things done in spite of the limitations.
I just got the Maass book, and I'm almost afraid to read it, because then I'll see how many MORE problems my book has, and have to do something about it! Maybe ignorance is bliss? Seriously though, I've read the first few chapters, and they are fantastic.
I keep reassuring myself - it doesn't matter when or how it gets written, only that it does!
BTW I realize the html tags might not work but if you don't want to copy and paste, I do have a link to it from my site as well.