14 Comments
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M.T. Kelly's avatar

"lf l could tell you, l would let you know." and l woill try, great piece

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Thanks Terry — I hope you sink is full of dishes!

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Susan Elizabeth Henson's avatar

I have fallen in love with my quirky writer habits: drinking copious amounts of coffee, leaving the bed (and everything else in the house) unmade and messy, and getting excited about word counts! I appreciate your insights into this condition. :-)

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Thanks Susan! I’m all for this. A couple of years ago I started “experimenting with mess.” I let the dishes pile up in the sink for a couple of hours, left bed unmade etc and prioritised my work. It’s hilarious but it really does make a difference! And I eventually did the dishes — I just didn’t fret or make it a point of anxiety or prioritise it above all else.

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Eleanor Deckert, Author's avatar

wow! This a fabulous! Each part! I just finished writing an article for my publishing company,. They want to feature ME! My desk is 4-inches deep in papers... my bathrobe is still wrapped about me (noon). I am so pleased that there is left-over chicken. And my hubby just came inside from yard work. I write memoir. I have been on black ice. I look in the rear-view mirror. I LIKE tidy, but only achieve it here and there, never daily, rarely all-at-one-time. Yay! NOW I am part of a Tribe... with YOU!

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Oh Eleanor, so thrilled to meet you! Congratulations on finishing your article and scrounging leftover chicken. When I was writing the first draft of my memoir I’d often wake up starving and make a massive six egg Spanish omelette with cheese then eat it in slices throughout the day… cold. With my fingers. While working. Here’s to feral memoirists!

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Gina Burton's avatar

Couldn’t agree more. I've just spent (out of necessity, not desire) the past two days going through closets. Darling hubby: : you must feel a sense of accomplishment? Me: not at all.

The people you’re describing sound more than a bit OCD😉

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Ha ha, yes I know *exactly* what you mean.

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M.T. Kelly's avatar

Wonderful, true, Yeats said, as for living......Leah said it

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Yeats! I bet he was very disorganised.

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Pam Wilkinson's avatar

Love the all day omelette idea. I’m currently on day two of cold spaghettini with pesto ( the latter, store bought and perilously close to expiration date) while I learn to draw faces.

Better to stay in that zone than the fret/nag never ending cycle of dirty counters and all the other crap that drags any sane person to madness.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Totally agree! The Zone is precious. Don't mess with it. Nothing better than a flow state. I will make sure to write something about this. Thanks for reminding me Pamela x

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Pam Wilkinson's avatar

Thanks. It’s actually Pam. Google auto filled.

My Grade 3 teacher the only one who called me that.

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Leah McLaren's avatar

Ok Pam it is!

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