Savoring the Experience
Does it ever feel like things are moving too quickly these days? Why is there so much focus on speed? I admit, life has slowed down for me a bit, being home and setting my own schedule, and I enjoy it. I don't know if anyone has ever heard of the Slow Food Movement, but it's something I've tried to incorporate into my daily life for a long while now. The basics are described nicely here:
Slow Food is also simply about taking the time to slow down and to enjoy life with family and friends. Every day can be enriched by doing something slow - making pasta from scratch one night, seductively squeezing your own orange juice from the fresh fruit, lingering over a glass of wine and a slice of cheese - even deciding to eat lunch sitting down instead of standing up.
I have taken this to heart with food, and it does make a big difference in the quality of even a simple meal. Gardening is one of the things that taught me that sometimes you have to go slow -- I've waited up to three or four years to see a plant really root to its spot and bloom. I've seen the difference recently in how that can happen in my writing, too - how an idea matures and becomes different if I let it sit for months and not weeks. In fact, it changed my perspective on writing such that I have become an even pickier reader -- the sloppiness that comes with speed seems to be more apparent to me now, and the books I come across that really hold my attention are fewer but wonderful when I find them.
So how about the Slow Reading Movement? How about Slow Writing? I'm with Kevin Costner from Bull Durham on the "long slow kisses that last three days" thing -- what if we approached everything we did like lingering meals and long slow kisses?
I'm doing some painting around the house and decided I'm taking it slow. I felt the pressure this weekend to push to get it done, and then thought, why? A room that could, arguably, be painted in two days I am taking a full week. A little each day, that way I can sort of putter through it and spend an hour or two, then go do something else. In that, yesterday I found myself really focusing on liking the color we chose, and all in all, the painting I did didn't need tape or tarps or any of that as going slowly was also much neater.
Readers sometimes go through a book or more a day, and I see on the Harlequin book challenge that many people feel too pressured to "drill through" TBRs and post reviews and end up apologizing for not reading faster. I have to question if the reading or the writing experience are meant to happen on fast forward.
Reading, like eating and sex, shouldn't be about speed. It should be about savoring the experience. It takes me at least 3-4 months to write a Blaze, and as flattering as it is to hear that someone stayed up to read my book in one sitting, it would be even better to have them sit with it for four or five days, you know? Or, if they read it once fast, read it again, slow. Really pay attention to what I did there. Let's talk about it and really enjoy it.
I read, maybe, 4 books a month, and I only publicly review books I enjoy, so that means I review very few books, which confounds some folks. They'll say (or I have said) that it's because I'm so busy writing, but aren't we all busy with something? Why on earth do we have to explain why we "only" read 4 books or less a month or write less than 3 books a year?
When I read a book and like it, I think about it and usually take time to post a review somewhere saying why in detail. This is one way I show my appreciation for the author's efforts. I'll admit, one of the reasons I didn't post the Harlequin Reader Challenge on our sidebar for a while was because I felt it pushed people to focus on quantity more than quality of the reading experience. They push through reading and then say they don't have the time to post about why they liked a book, they are just going for numbers. I don't like that. However, it does suit a good cause, so I posted it. Still. I have doubts.
I keep wondering, if we read slower and wrote slower, would the experience and results be better? Would even a good book become really good or even great? People often complain about how popular fiction and romance is looked down upon, but isn't the root of the problem the image of the books as quickly consumed and thrown aside? Quickly written and on the shelf for only a month? This sends the wrong message if we're looking to change the impression other people have of our reading and writing.
Considering that I have a growing partial TBR of books that don't grab me, are badly written or just uninteresting, and writers I love who have series books that in the beginning were fabulous and then seem to weaken as time goes on (due to pressures to produce, I think, sometimes past the point where a series should have ended), I think "write faster, writer faster," should be replaced with "write better."
LOST, I hear, was pushed past the vision of the original writers' vision for the show, because when it became so popular, the networks demanded more, and I can't help but think pushing past this vision will not make for a better show. Same with writers' series -- as successful as some of them are, the writers should be the ones to say when enough is enough, rather than writing them into the dirt. Like Seinfeld, quit on a high note, before the thing crashes, and move on to do other good work.
How about you? Do you feel guilty for not reading/writing fast enough, and what do you think would happen if you just slowed down? Maybe only read one book this week, or read it, then re-read it again, slower. What if you make yourself set the book down and go take time to work in the garden and think about it and then go back and read a little more instead of slamming through?
Writers, what happens if you chop your writing goals in half, just for a week, and instead of the push forward, pull back and mosey around your manuscript a little? And if you can't do it right now because of a deadline, think about doing it the next time, and see what happens.
Share your thoughts on going slow, and I'll pick some folks to receive some surprises from my backlist, and maybe some books by friends. And if you receive them, I hope you can enjoy them. Slowly. ;)
Sam
I truly agree that going
I truly agree that going slow is much better for some things; it definitely holds true for reading a book. Sometimes I find myself reading quite fast and then I have to go back and re-read so I get the jest of things(this time I read slower and comprehend better the situation of the story).
Take for example a savoury meal that you yourself or someone else has prepared. Take the time to chew and taste, chew and taste; let your tastebuds savour the flavor and give your brain a chance to have it register what it is that you have just eaten. Enjoy books, meals, life....
Hey Robyn
Yes, exactly. I find that when I take time to cook, I usually take time to eat. And when someone else has cooked for us, it's really important to slow down and enjoy it.
I am always resisting the impulse of my own impatience, and the pressure that comes from "somewhere" to get things done -- however, like with the room I'm painting, it will get done, and be easier and more pleasant if I take it a little slower. Sometimes I wonder if we're not more productive if we slow down a little, in a strange way. Work slowly, but constantly, etc.
Sam
I also wish we could all go
I also wish we could all go a little slower. What kind of enjoyment are you taking from life if it's all passing you by in a blur? There are some things that I want to get over quickly, like trips to the grocery and housecleaning, but there are also things that I refuse to rush (or forego) like an evening out with my hubby, or helping my son with his homework. These are the things I think of at the end of the day and I cherish them as I go to sleep, wouldn't want to have missed it because I was too busy.
J.K. Coi
Immortals To Die For
www.jkcoi.com
Oh man
Agreed. Life goes by quickly, and we need to slow down and pay attention.
Am I ever with you on the grocery store thing, I don't really enjoy it, though I tend to be a painstaking shopper, looking for just the right melon, just the right lettuce, etc -- I drive the produce people nuts. ;) I read labels on everything.
I think with anything, slowing down isn't so much about really going slow as enjoying and being mindful of the process... when you have to cook, you really touch your food and maybe enjoy eating it more, than when you buy a burger at BK and scarf it down (though there are moments that a BK burger can be bliss). But in general, I think when we are feeling too pushed to do things so we're rushing through, that's a bad sign.
Sam
Reading Slower
I find when I 'have' to read something for some sort of deadline, library book due, book club read, etc, I just don't enjoy it as much.
So when I pick up that book on hold at the library, it's the ONLY book I'll pick up. I used to never leave the library without 10 books, including the one I'd gone in for. Now I focus only on that one book and I don't feel the pressure to have it finished weighing on me so much.
Book club is the same thing. We've pushed our dates out so we aren't trying to buy/read/report within 2 weeks. Too many of us were skimming the ends to be finished on time. And, frankly, if I have to skim the ending, I'll rarely go back to it.
Sometimes if I'm sending a book to a friend, I'll try to hurry through it so I can send it AND another to them at the same time. Now I just tell them, look, I'm now sending you 2 books so you'll have to wait a bit longer. No one has ever complained.
Reading is one of the few things I do for me. So why hurry it??
ani
I'm with you ani
And I'm thinking the same way about writing, in some ways. I want to enjoy writing, even when it's hard and killing me, LOL.
My academic background left me with a mix of skills for both quick reading (when I had that much reading to do for school, both as a student and eventually as a teacher, I had to learn to read fast) but I also had to read deep, for meaning. Most of the time, I had to respond to what I was reading. I had to think about it and process it. It's nice to be able to do that these days, but not having to feel like I rushed or to feel pressured about it.
Sam
I love slow walks...
with the hubby and the kids. But there are some things I like to go quickly. Trouble, for one, lol. Waits on submissions, hee hee. I've come to enjoy most things in their own time because wishing for more or less can sometimes steal my enjoyment of what I have.
Plus, I don't think I could read slower. LOL!
Dee
Well, yes
I agree, things like pain, sickness, trouble, etc those are not experiences we want to linger. ;)
I think it's more the stuff we can control, but don't. The things we should enjoy, but don't. Even simple things.
My reading is way slower than it used to be -- except when I am reading my own work. I can go through 300 pages of edits very easily. I guess I have "work mind" and "play mind." :)
Sam
PS: Oh, and the wait times -- we all know that torture, but honestly, without long wait times I wouldn't have gotten as much done this year, and they do teach us patience. Like you, I am trying to really develop the "all in good time" kind of mindset. You have to be proactive at some point, but we really can wait a while and it's okay...
I don't think I should read
I don't think I should read slower. Sometimes I read a book a day and can tell years later if I have read the book, so my comprehension is good.
I do believe that you should savor your meals and not gulp them down.
Hey Estella!
I think that's great, but I think mainly that it relates to how you feel about it -- when I see people feeling "guilty" that they can't read faster, or zooming through a book so quickly they don't want to stop to even talk about it, or writers who are frenetic with pressure... this says to me, "too fast, slow down." And a lot of people have to give themselves permission to do that. Like the pressure I felt to paint faster -- why? LOL
There may be people who can write really good books in 2-3 weeks as well, though I'm not one of them, and I think the majority of writers can't do that, and we all stand to learn something by slowing down somewhere in our lives... :)
Sam
OMG, 2-3 weeks to write a
OMG, 2-3 weeks to write a book, AND make it good? Who is this superperson? I'm sure it happens, though I can't imagine. Now I feel really really slow. LOL
J.K. Coi
Immortals To Die For
www.jkcoi.com
Totally Agree...
Sam, I'm in complete agreement with you on this...some things are just so much better when they're savored, or when you take the time to really do it right. I envy you the joy you get out of cooking, because for me it's just a chore I have to get through in order to get on with my evening (and my writing). But on the days when I stay home from work (one day, every two weeks), I find I actually look forward to cooking dinner and I try to plan something special. On those days, I've had all day to write, so I don't feel rushed or resentful. And I find my family really does appreciate the break in routine (i.e., not having spaghetti and Prego sauce practically thrown at them, LOL) and we tend to linger longer over the dinner table, just talking.
I love taking my time reading a really good book, and I'll think about it as I'm cooking dinner, cleaning up afterwards, etc. I'll anticipate curling up with that book and savoring it for an hour or two, knowing if I only read a few chapters and then put it away, I'll have more to look forward to the next day.
I took on a lot this past year with my writing, imposing short deadlines on myself, and I don't think I'll do that again. I think writing does improve if you can concentrate more on the process and spend more time with it. Great topic.
Aw, Karen
You deserve to slow down with all you do -- so many of you folks with kids and jobs and still trying to write -- I did that when I was teaching, with a commute, and so I know how it can be. Though I'll admit, a commute is an interesting way to transition from fast to slow, you have that time in the car to move from one part of the day to the other.
Have you thought of having your kids cook, or your husband? Or do non-cooked meals? (Things like putting out trays of fruit with cheese and peanut butter, cracker and fresh bread, etc?) We do dinners like that sometimes. They can be simple, but pretty and much slower than the Prego route. ;)
I hope you get a chance to slow down in general, and yes, it's true -- as writers, we need to remember that we can negotiate and set deadlines that work for us.
Sam
Ice-Cream
Well, last night the kids did ice-cream sundaes for supper, LOL. Does that count? And sometimes we'll do a picnic out on the patio; just tahini and bread and kalamata olives, which we all love. My girls and I sort of have this unspoken pact not to let their dad cook...although he does do a mean lazy-man's-lasagna!
ROTFL
I just caught sight of this line from my above blog: "I only publicly review books I enjoy, so that means I review very few books"
I guess that makes me sound like a mean old reader who doesn't enjoy many books, LOL. Not so, but I should have said I save reviews for books I feel I can really say something about -- if I can write a review that has something interesting to share in recommending a book, then I do it. I don't like to write a review that just says "this was great read it" LOL
Aiy. See, if I had taken more time to write that blog, I could have stated that better, huh? Although as it was I posted it an hour late! :)
Sam
Taking It Slow
Hi Sam,
Sometimes I find myself rushing through a book because it's not holding my attention and I just want to finish it and move on to the next book. I definitely think good books need to be savored. Sometimes I need to reread passages to make sure I didn't miss anything important. I like the idea of slow cooking even though many people don't have time to make home cooked meals everyday.
So true
I don't make elaborate meals every day either, but sometimes the best things can be very simple, especially in summer, when everything is fresh and available.
I have to admit, when a book doesn't hold my attention, I put it down, and rarely go back to it. For this reason, I do have a pile of titles that were only half-read, but that's kind of how it is. I rarely spend time on a book that's not grabbing me.
Sam
Putting books down
I remember the first time I gave myself permission to not finish a book that wasn't holding my attention. What an eye-opener that was! Okay, so I read the last few pages so I could put it to rest for me.
Still, if a book now doesn't capture my attention by Chapter 3, I know it's okay to say this just isn't me.
And that's empowering in its own way!
ani
Hmm...
I agree in theory, but I think I find it hard to practice this slower paced living! I do find myself skimming more when I try to finish something quickly, and sometimes that's fine, since what I'm reading isn't exactly a work of art, but then I guess maybe what you're saying is that I shouldn't waste my time on the mediocre, but truly just savor the sublime... It's so hard to do, because even if I just try to focus on a narrower group of books or authors, my TBR is huge!
As for food, it is lovely when we have the time to sit more slowly and savor the food and the company--we did some of that over the weekend with a friend we hadn't seen in a while, and that was a real treat! I guess it definitely takes discipline though, to plan enough in advance to have the time and the meal plan/reading list to do this!
Although I do like Karen's family's ice cream night idea... that might be a yummy one to try soon! :)
Hey Fedora
LOL, well, I think the point is to take the pressure off. If the TBR is so large you feel pressured by it, I think it becomes a matter of rushing through it, so I tend to not let mine get larger than 6 books, and I don't usually buy more until those six are read, so I'm buying more books about every 6-8 weeks. Or for me, setting deadlines and working in such a way that I'm not rushing what I'm writing -- and sometimes I can write very quickly if I have the idea and it just comes out easily, and that's fine, too, it's more the feeling of "having to get through something" and missing the experience, you know?
Sam
No more than 6 books?
*blush* I have about 80 books in my TBR pile. And I'm trying to knock 30 of them off in the next month--30 Days of Blaze, I'm calling it on my blog. LOL I'm not doing it just to be able to move them to a different shelf, however--I'm doing it as research. I'll be unemployed in a couple of weeks (not sure if that's a good or bad thing just yet) and I'm really hoping to get back to writing again during my time off. And since I want to write for Blaze...and I've really ignored my TBR pile...working my way through most (not nearly all) of the red covers as a warm-up seems like a good idea. Er, at least it did yesterday. :( I might be better off slowing down and really picking the books apart to see what makes them tick instead of, um, blazing through them. Hmm...
As far as slowing down in general, I agree wholeheartedly. It may seem like I get less done, taking the scenic route through life, but those times are the ones I'm more likely to remember and cherish for the long term (I'm thinking of quality time spent with my DH and the kids). When it comes to writing, I also agree. I've tried to fast draft before and while I may get the ideas down, I have to essentially rewrite everything from scratch anyhow, which ultimately takes longer than if I just go at a slower pace from the get-go. For me, writing fast is more stressful and, really, pretty pointless.
Excellent post today, Sam. Very thought provoking. Thank you. :)
Hey Sassa
So sorry to hear about the unemployment :( but it sounds like you have a plan, and I do think sometimes this kind of thing is a gift, making us make a change we wouldn't have made on our own.
I have to admit, I'm leaning to the read more slowly and pick the books apart. I DEFINITELY recommend reading the line you are aiming for, but a book a day might leave you more confused about the tone/feel of the line than helping. If you know the type of story you are mostly interested in (light and funny, or military heroes, or paranormal, etc) then maybe pick out the Blazes with those themes first, and see how they are handled, and yes, study them closely. I read a lot of Blaze at the beginning, but not as many as you are planning to, LOL, but I did read them closely, then I went to eHarl and talked about them A LOT with the authors, emailed some of the authors to talk about them and ask questions, etc... it really helped when I was writing mine.
I wish you luck, and can't wait to hear how it goes! :)
Sam
Wow...
I'm in awe--and I'm not going to divulge the size of my TBR... WOW! Out of curiosity, what's on your TBR at the moment?
Unsure if you mean me or Sassa...
I didn't think anyone would be in awe of my little book pile, but I'll answer anyway. Right now, reading Larissa Ione's Pleasure Unbound. I started it Saturday, I think, and it will take me until Friday, most likely to finish. Larissa is a friend, and I'm very much enjoying this book. :)
Next are Helen Brenna's Superromance, Treasure (which won the Rita and sounds wonderful), and Heather Graham's Mira, The Seance, all I have on the shelf at the moment.
Since the start of July finished Karen Foley's Overnight Sensation, Sarah Mayberry's Below the Belt and Burning Up, and also Charlaine Harris's From Dead to Worse and JD Robb's recent one... Creation in Death, I think it was. Oh, and Patricia Brigg's Wolf's Cry. I love all three of those authors, but I have to admit that none of these three recent releases wowed me, though I did finish them. There were some others in there that I started and couldn't get into, so I won't mention those. They were books other people loved, but just didn't do it for me, so after maybe 3 chapters, like ani, I set them aside.
Looking forward to Richelle Mead's third Succubus book, on pre-order, and will get that with Jeannie and Tawny's, and Dee's new books for the Sept run.
Sam
PS: Forgot I did read Kay Stockham's His Son's Teacher, as well, in July. Wonderful stuff.
I'm pretty sure...
She meant you, Sam. LOL I have way too many to list. ;)
Ah and Egads
Hey Sassa. I re-read my post, seeing yours, and wanted to add that it was the three single titles that didn't impress me this time around. The Briggs was the best of the three, the JD Robb probably the worst, and I love that series but this book didn't work for me.
However, Karen's Overnight Sensation and Sarah's books were amazing -- snap them up if you haven't already!
Sam
Hee!
Sassa, you and me both, with the too-big-to-list TBRs... :)
Thanks for sharing yours, Sam! I loved Sarah's latest, and can't wait for her next ones! And I'm looking forward to Karen and Kay's books--on that TBR... ;)
Omega and Alpha
Really? It didn't impress you? Admittedly, I wasn't going to read it. I really don't need anymore books (I keep telling myself that as I troll the aisles of the bookstore).
But I gave in and bought it. I enjoyed it. Not the same way that I like Mercy's books but I put aside some other things to finish it (I made the mistake of starting it while I was waiting in the car for my guys).
I thought it was interesting to get more back story on Bran and the rest of the Montana weres.
It will be interesting to see where she goes with this series.
The one thing I didn't like about it, is I felt like I should have reread the story in On the Prowl first. Talk about starting off exactly where'd you'd left off in another story and not filling in all the deets!! Yikes!
Just my perspective.
ani
I didn't hate it...
I actually wrote a review on eHarl recommending it, but I think what bothered me was the structure more than anything, like it happened in two parts... first half, she comes to MN, second half, they fight Mariposa. I really think it should have been more interwoven, and that would be have been more interesting, but also, I questioned how Anna's powers unfolded... it wasn't clearly defined, and seemed a little convenient to the moment, you know?
But overall, I like Briggs, and will keep reading the series. This definitely wasn't as smooth a read as any of the Mercedes books, tho.
Sam
Now that you point it out
I would have to agree with you about both of those things. I hadn't thought it out as clearly as you had.
Yes, I was waiting for a little "more" when it came to Anna's powers unfolding. In fact, I went back and reread that part wondering if I'd missed something the first time around.
But I enjoy the characters of Anna and Charles and that's what I read for so I was okay with it all.
ani
It was a decent romance
Though maybe a little dragged out...I have to admit, there was a lot in the end that seemed "smushed" and the convenient sense -- which is because the structure of the book was off. But also because writing romance is a very specific thing, and I don't know that I've always seen UF or mystery authors do it well. I know, I'm such a critic. *G* I can't help it, and I hold books (or authors) in higher income brackets more accountable. ;) But I'll definitely read another one to see if it gets better... All the good things that make a Briggs novel worth reading were there, they just weren't there in the right way, if that makes any sense...
Sam
Romance
I didn't view it as a romance, although, in a lot of ways, it was more of one than the Mercy books. We're still waiting to see Mercy and Adam "really" get together, after all.
In a lot of ways, it was more traditional than the Mercy books. I know Briggs has written other, pre-Mercy, stuff but I've never been tempted to seek it out.
I would think that would be the hazard of reading, if you're an author. You can see the way it "should" be, whereas, the rest of us can just get caught up in the story.
An occupational hazard, so to speak.
ani
Good point
Funny, I did see it as a romance -- I think because of the anthology lead in.
I think you're right that my perspective on reading has changed. It's relatively recent, but I find it much harder to set aside writing considerations than I used to...
sam
I agree with taking the time to smell the roses
and all that. When I first started writing I knew I had a big learning curve to climb so I wrote really fast. Once I found my groove I slowed down quite a bit and found the pace that works for me. If it's not coming out quite the way I planned, I let my subconscious sort though thinks for a bit and that always helps!
Jen (in Cape Cod and thinking about your hunky hero from the Anthology!)
http://www.jenlewis.com
Hi Jen!
So jealous of you out there on Cape Cod! Yay for you!
I agree with letting things form... I had a story I started back in Feb, for Spice Briefs, and I messed with it, but set it aside because it wouldn't take shape. Then, last month, I felt the urge to go back to it, I sort of saw the solutions in my head, and sat down and finished it in a week, and now it's on Susan's desk, so here's hoping. :)
But it sat for what? almost 6 months, and I think it was better for it, than if I had tried to force it back in Feb.
But that learning curve at first is sharp, and I did the same, wrote like crazy for the first few books. I found it somewhat different when I decided to switch genres and try my paranormal mystery -- who knows if it will go anywhere, but I didn't so much write slowly (w/out a synopsis, I sat and wrote the first draft in about 2 weeks), but then I spent 6 months rewriting the first 150 pages. I consider that pretty slow, LOL. It's amazing how much pops up during the times I set things aside and just wait... We don't always have the luxury of doing that, of course, but I hope I can structure my work so that I have some time to let things mull, anyway.
Sam
Good point
Sam, I think slowing down is something a lot of people can, and should take to heart. Driving is a big thing. Everyone has road rage, and I'm guilty of it too. Maybe a lot of it is due to "stupid driving" - people going waaayy too slowly, cutting off someone else, swerving into other lanes, etc, that's bad. But then there's the person riding up on your bumper, or going 20+ miles over the speed limit. That's just asking for a horrible accident.
I think it's important for families to slow down and eat together. My family always did when I was growing up. And cooking together, or even just hanging out in the kitchen is nice too.
For reading... I haven't had as much time to read - I've just been tired and busy, unfortunately. My favorite days, however, are when I can read all day, and generally get in 1-2 books. I read every page carefully, I just read quickly. I always have to know what happens, so I force myself to put a book down to eat, generally :P. I do think there is a problem when people read as much and fast as they can just to post reviews and get more books. [It seems that's a problem with the vine program? A lot of those reviews, I wonder if the person even read the book, because their review is off the wall and nothing like the book I read.] Ah well. I'm not sure there is some way to slow things down, but it sure would be nice.
Oh, driving.
I am a pretty relaxed driver. Unless someone else is really being unreasonable and being very slow, I generally just go with the flow. When it's really bad, as you mention, someone riding the back or what, I will pull over and let them go. I'm not really a confrontational driver at all.
You're in school, right? When I was a student, and even when I was teaching, I didn't read much for pleasure -- my job entailed too much of it all day long. I think that's why I enjoy TV so much. But it's part of the reason I left academia -- I never wrote when I was an academic, because it was too much of my work life...
And yes, believe me, authors often wonder if a reviewer ever read the book -- and I've heard that sometimes they only read the first few chapters. I find that highly objectionable.
Sam
Yup
Sam -
I'm a student- I like reading as a break from everything else. I've always loved reading, and can't imagine not reading.
Good on the driving! I try, but can't help it. I think I'm also cursed with ... well bad drivers. There are those who go waaay under the speed limit and mess everything up - it's dangerous to disrupt the flow of traffic. And then going 90 on a 35 road - I can't even imagine any reason for doing that. [I generally go about 5 over, like everyone else does :X]
For reviews, I definitely read a book cover to cover if I'm going to say or post anything about it. Even if it's a book I've read 6 times before, if I mention it on my challenge blog or anything, I'm going to make sure I just read it cover to cover before posting. I feel that's only fair. And even so, if I say something, other readers will have noticed something else, etc. I have, however, happened upon some of the "big name" reviewers [H.K. being one?] And I honestly wonder 90% of the time if we read the same book. B/c she'll mention something that changed by chapter four, etc. Or there are the reviews that say "I only read 2 chapters and hated it." OR I recently saw one where the reviewer gave the book a horrible rating, based on how a character was in the PREVIOUS book in the series [and the character had changed about 1/4 of the way into that book anyway.] I wanted to pull my hair out. I can't imagine how the author felt or would feel.
Summer Slow
We've had extreme heat and humidity here in MO, which means a lot of staying in-AC time for me. Frankly, I've enjoyed a slower summer and had prepared a stopping point after a really hectic last year and spring. I usually travel more for promotion, but am only scheduled for one long distance trip now, this driving. I enjoy driving, and maybe listening to my ipod from the car stereo, not music, but writerly stuff, and maybe an audio book. I think with the changes in the economy, a lot of people are looking more to homes and enjoying them and family. Books are a mini-vacation in themselves. But this summer has definitely been slower, easier, this by careful planning. I'm planning to change my holidays, too.
CaitLondon.com
http://caitlondon.blogspot.com
Cait, so good to see you!
Yes, it's been that kind of summer for us, too. We bought a fire pit and have gotten so much enjoyment from that little addition to the back yard -- is there anything more relaxing than a fire? But also the patience to build it.
I drove to Toronto on my own last year, and it was great, though I was a little nervous about it at first. I'm thinking I might drive to DC next year, but we'll see -- I know that route in summer can be riddled with construction, so I may end up flying to nationals, which would be my first conference. :)
The holidays are always a challenge -- I'm hoping to make ours more relaxing, too.
Sam
heh heh heh
We've talked about your work and mine and process...extensively, LOL...so you know my Type A worrier disposition, but I'm in the middle of my own "go slow" lesson. I've injured my wrists from too much typing (and mowing the freaking lawn with a reel mower) and am a bit baffled by the whole "slow down" thing. What would I do if I had to take a break from writing and knitting? Meditate. Yeah. Ice my hands while watching the Olympics. Yeah. Sit and think and read? Yeah. But...but...but...I'm not Doing Anything.
Uh huh. That's the point. That's where healing and ideas and a sense of communion with the universe comes from. It's tough, but good.
Margaret (who's off to sit around some more with bags of frozen peas on my forearms)
Hey Margaret, my ice-bag friend ;)
I think the key is not doing less, but doing what you do with focus and not the feeling of "rushing through" to get it done -- you and I have discussed this mindfulness before, the idea of really sinking into something when you are doing it, not rushing through to get to the next thing.
So, be one with the bag of peas... feel the coldness spread up your arm, the little points of each pea thawing... ;)
LOL, sorry -- you know I sympathize greatly with sore hands, for sure. And you are...doing...something. You are taking care of you.
Sam
SAVOUR AND ENJOY
For me the entire point is to become immersed within the pages of the wonderful story so that I can be transported to another place, realm and time. This provides me with great enjoyment and entertainment. That is the purpose of slow reading and a worthwhile and memorable experience.
SLOW WORKS
Since I used to do everything like a busy bee and never slowed down for anything, I realized that I missed out on a great deal. Now I eat more slowly and know that it is healthier in many ways and the only way to enjoy a meal. The same holds true for doing a complete and thorough job no matter what it may be. But I know that holding an unforgettable book in my hand and reading it leisurely makes it last and this book becomes even more important.
LIFE
Your post today has posed very interesting observations which have resounded with me. It is true that everyone is consumed with speed, rushing around and trying to accomplish as much as possible as quickly as they can. I don't recall that this was the case when I was growing up. Things were much more relaxed and fun. People gathered together and weren't always rushing off with their kids or under such deadlines. Slowing down is healthy and helps us realize what matters in life whether we are reading a wonderful novel or eating a gourmet delight. It should be treated with respect and time.
Slowing Down
I agree with you that, in general we all seem to speed through life. While sometimes it's necessary, I think we have to do everything in fast forward. I have slowed down on my reading during the past year and I do enjoy a book when I take a little more time although there is something to be said for taking a big block of time and just reading.
Agreed
I think taking a big block of time to read, write, or anything IS slowing down. ;)
It's not that you have to "go slow" it's that you need to take time to savor the experience, and not rush through things.
I think ultimately we get more done that way, too, ironically.
Sam
I was just talking about this yesterday...
I'd mentioned to my mom that I'd been working on my Blaze WIP since the end of June and I was only 60% of the way through. After reading your post, it made me think - I write because I love to do it (among other reasons) and I'm certainly not enjoying the process as much if I'm gulping down each chapter just trying to get to the finish line. Life's too short to make it a race needlessly.
Thanks, also, for the submission advice, Sam. I'd been unaware of the restructuring going on and that does make it a difference in my strategy. BTW, I received What I Did on My Summer Vacation the day after you sent it last week and can't wait to dive in. :)
Cari
How true!
This has become a problem for me. With two kids under the age of 6 the only time I have to read is when they are in bed so I feel rushed to read as much as I can because I need to get some sleep. Especially since I never know when my 22 month old daughter might have a bad night. Lately, I have been feeling like I rush through my books and savor them. So I found it interesting that you would mention the very same thing I have been thinking of lately.
Slow
I truly agree that going slow is the best way to do anything. I think if you go to fast you wind up screwing up something. I like doing things slow myself and I am slow. I read slow and everything else I do slow. I think you enjoy things more if you go slow. Life is to short to rush through it.