Freida Schultz Has Returned

From Wikipedia:
Grisaille (grɪʼzaɪ, -ʼzeɪl; French: gris, grey, French pronunciation: /ɡʁi.zaj/)
is a term for painting executed entirely in monochrome, usually in shades of grey or brown, particularly used in decoration to represent objects in relief.
__________

That's what I see outside my window this morning.

Gray. Dense overcast. Fog. Drizzle. Cold.

And it's Monday.

What more could I ask?

I really don't feel like about writing about writing today, although that's what Monday's posts are supposed to be about. But since I completed the first draft of my manuscript last week, I'm trying to take a little non-writing time for myself and my live-in handyman.

Last Thursday night when I typed 'The End,' I told myself I wasn't going to think about anything writing-related for a week.

Guess who showed up ready to work early Friday morning?
Freida Schultz.

For those of you who are newer readers or for those with shorter memories, Freida is my inner editor.

Already I have a stack of new notes to incorporate into the second draft. And I'm sure more are coming before I open the manuscript again.

Freida is such a taskmaster:
You must do this.
You will do that.
Whatever this was meant to be, it's now meant to go. Cut it now.
What were you thinking?

Sigh.

I love Freida. Really I do. But don't I deserve a teeny little break?

And next week, when I'm ready to begin on the second draft, and I need her?

Freida said she'll be skiing.

Comments

Terry Odell said…
That's always the case, isn't it? I finished my mystery, submitted it, and am waiting, but I don't know which direction to take for the next project. I'd rather not write a sequel to a book that won't be picked up.
Carol Kilgore said…
So it seems. Perhaps start Book One of a new project. If this one gets picked up, then work on a sequel. If you have sequel ideas, they won't go away while you wait.
Joanne said…
Looking out on a grisaille day seems like a perfect writing day, very atmospheric! I like to switch to smaller writing projects when I'm in that in-between time, or really organize my files. But still, there's just no controlling that inner editor, so I do keep a writing journal handy for her visits, too.
Elspeth Futcher said…
Tell Frieda firmly that you're taking a small break. Smile sweetly and offer her cake if she'll just go away for a while. Or tell her you could really use some help with the laundry; that'll make her skedaddle.
Mason Canyon said…
Isn't that just the luck of it? Never there when you need her, always there when you don't. What's a person to do?
I finished the first draft of my ms. last week too! We are writing twins.
Carol Kilgore said…
Joanne - I'm the same way. Before I begin on Round Two, I have several organizing projects around here, some involving writing, others involving nasty things like closets and The Pantry. And two small writing projects. Until then, it's notes only from Freida.

Elspeth - Freida said if I make her do laundry, she'll wash my white socks with my new red sweater. Maybe I'll see if she dusts.

Mason - Maybe I see about renting her out?

Karen - Congratulations! Isn't it a great feeling :)
Arlee Bird said…
I think Frieda's trying to trick you. She wants to see if you're paying attention. She can't be skiing without you because she's like your shadow--the two of you are inseparable.
Southpaw said…
That Freida sounds likea tricky one.
It’s grisaille in southwest Florida, too. My muse only seems to come out in the sunshine. If you ever find a way to control Freida so that she comes and goes at your command instead of hers, please share the secret.

By the way, congratulations on finishing the first draft.
Carol Kilgore said…
Arlee - Would you please tell that to Freida? She's messing with me all right. This afternoon I pulled out an old manuscript to rework the first pages for a contest. You think Freida was around? Ha :)

Southpaw - There are days Freida makes me want to pull out my hair.

Jane - Thanks. If I ever learn Freida's secret, you'll be the first to know.
Carol, I gave you an award today, come by my blog and get it!
Helen Ginger said…
Take the week off. Freida will break her leg skiing then she'll be back sitting on the couch, nagging you. A break is not only good for the soul, it's good to put distance between you and the manuscript.

Helen
Straight From Hel
Anonymous said…
I enjoyed looking over your blog
God bless you
Carol Kilgore said…
Karen - Thank you for the award. Look for it here tomorrow.

Helen - I'm trying to take the week off. Really I am. "Shut up, Freida!"

The Old Geezer - Thank you, and backatcha. The Tiki Hut is always open.
Anonymous said…
I find it so hard to get going with editing that when my inner editor shows up, I listen. Even when I wanted that small reprieve. I know that next week I won't have the drive to do it so I might as well get started.
Wishing you luck.
Laura Eno said…
Give Freida a margarita then hide her skis.
Carol Kilgore said…
Cassandra - Thanks for the good wishes. For some reason I don't usually mind the editing process. I think because it lets me spend more time with the characters and get to know them better instead of just getting the plot down like I do in the first draft.

Laura - Perfect! I'm going to whip up a batch right now. Can't let her drink by herself.
Anonymous said…
Maybe that was Freida that woke me up this morning. I couldn't lay there without thinking of the ONE WORD that I needed to change in my last blog. She's quite pesky, isn't she?
Anonymous said…
Haha! My inner editor doesn't shut up until I'm done with my second draft. Well, at least it seems that way. Currently I can't get that voice to shut up while I'm working on the new ms and it's making things go painfully slow.

I think you should crack the whip on her and tell her she can't go skiing since she is scheduled to be back at work. :)
Carol Kilgore said…
VV - I'm sure Freida gets around, so it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Kimberly - Oh, how I wish! Freida doesn't listen worth a darn. I beg, plead--nothing works.
Maryannwrites said…
LOL, the muse, no matter what her name, does like to play with our minds. Pun fully intended. LOL

You can thank Elspeth for introducing me to your engaging blog.
Carol Kilgore said…
Hi Maryann!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll come back often.

And I'll definitely thank Elspeth.

.