Glad to hear I’m not the only one who’s writing is patchy this week, Alexander. The hangover, both literally and metaphorically, from last weeks business trip has brought me a spring cold and I can’t get motivation to finish any of the four pieces I’m working on. Perhaps a long train trip will give me the inspiration 🤔😁
Great photos and insight as usual. Night running is really good. Glad to hear you’re enjoying Shogun. I’m on episode 6 I think. It’s very good so far 👍🏼
Thanks, Dan. Sometimes we need to let things simmer, develop, no use forcing words out, never going to be good. Hope you can shake that cold soon, hot toddies may help ;) I watched 2 episodes, really good so far.
If it's any consolation, I have written 0 words so far this week. The demands of week seem to be pushing out the demands of writing.
I wanted to start watching Shogun, but we don't have a sub to Disney+ at the moment. We did watch the first episode of 3 Body Problem, though, and I'm keen to continue (I really enjoyed the book). Maybe that'll be on your watchlist soon?
Thanks Nathan. I’m sure it’ll be gone in a few days. But, yeah, like yourself my day to day work has also got really busy too, so a perfect combination for doing no writing 🙄
I’m watching episode 2 of 3 Body Problem right now. I heard it was meant to be complicated but, so far, I’m enjoying it and haven’t got that confused yet. Was going to review it in my weekly watchlist for this week if I ever get around to writing it! 😳😁
Excellent question. Short answer, no, I did not write anything for the novel on the train. I currently have a few projects, the novel, Carter (due May), Elodie, Storyverse, Foto Fridays (next week's is scheduled), War and Peace recordings, and Flash Fiction each Wednesday, well, almost each Wednesday, interspersed with Worldbuilding and Lore articles and videos for my novel, and two screenplays, one finished (need to try and shop it around) another in draft, and working on lecture material and giving lectures helps a bit with the income dilemma but that's done, so need to look for something else.
Substack doesn't keep me from writing fiction. Although, if I were to only focus on the novel, I would have progressed more by now, but then I wouldn't have written most of what's on Tales from the Defrag right now and we wouldn't be having this conversation.
We often look for excuses not to write, I know I do, reality is, the only person who can keep you from writing is you. There's always a million things that will distract us from writing, and we need to shut that nonsense down otherwise we end up scrolling through Notes and do whatever silly thing there is that doesn't need doing, we consume instead of create, and then we go and clean the fridge, again. Writing is hard work, writing when you don't feel like it is even harder, still, you have to do it, write, even if it's something you'll never use anywhere. At least you showed up, you wrote. Easier said than done, and everyone has their way of doing things, experiment, try different approaches, if it means no Substack for a month, go for it. I might. I probably will. This summer. TFTD closed. Gone fishing.
I like this for many reasons. One is because people talk about all the beautiful places in France but forget the strip malls and highways 😆
Another is because I can feel the loosening of the mind’s movements with the train. I’ve taken the train a ton in the 4 years since we moved to Switzerland and ditched out car. Sometimes I take ski day trips 3.5 hours away. The movement and rhythm along with the views give a unique way of witnessing oneself in motion.
Still another reason is the humble acceptance of perceived failures that aren’t failures but just moments in life that shall pass, too.
Train ramblings. I did ponder a few story threads but nothing concrete emerged and so I let the text go where it wanted, acceptance and hope that it will be received for what it is, moments in life, unfiltered. We may go to Dijon by train during the school holidays. Get some mustard... 3.5 hours from here won't take us to the alps. Wish it did! Thanks, Kate, appreciate the kind feedback, hope you're having a lovely easter!
I loved taking this train ride with you Alexander, looking out the window, watching France roll by, the rain blowing off the window, leaning my head against the glass. I have taken so many European and British trains in my life, and have so many vivid memories. Thanks so much for taking me back.
Thanks, Sharron. Glad you enjoyed the ride! I do remember getting stuck in Croydon once on an interrail trip through Britain up to Fort William due to a train strike. I managed to get there eventually but of all the places to get stuck in... well they do have a little botanical garden, which you may want to avoid at all cost. Yes, many vivid memories.
We stayed at the camping grounds before heading further north, we did a tour across all of Scotland, still many places we didn't visit. I have scanned the map with the route marked, maybe I should do a post on that some time... we started in Hull went up to Edinburgh, and further north, always north. Gortenbuie in Glen Cannel, south-east of Loch Ba on the Isle of Mull was another highlight, truly magical. Took some great images there.
Oh how I long for a lovely long train ride like that. Sounds divine. The perfect environment to sit, read, write, think. A great way to travel.
Really enjoyed blend of thoughts and pictures. A perfect and soothing medley for me right now.
Defrag achieved! ;) Glad you enjoyed the medley. And I must say, I shall travel by train henceforth!
Yes. What Nathan says.
Glad to hear I’m not the only one who’s writing is patchy this week, Alexander. The hangover, both literally and metaphorically, from last weeks business trip has brought me a spring cold and I can’t get motivation to finish any of the four pieces I’m working on. Perhaps a long train trip will give me the inspiration 🤔😁
Great photos and insight as usual. Night running is really good. Glad to hear you’re enjoying Shogun. I’m on episode 6 I think. It’s very good so far 👍🏼
Thanks, Dan. Sometimes we need to let things simmer, develop, no use forcing words out, never going to be good. Hope you can shake that cold soon, hot toddies may help ;) I watched 2 episodes, really good so far.
Hope you feel better, Dan.
If it's any consolation, I have written 0 words so far this week. The demands of week seem to be pushing out the demands of writing.
I wanted to start watching Shogun, but we don't have a sub to Disney+ at the moment. We did watch the first episode of 3 Body Problem, though, and I'm keen to continue (I really enjoyed the book). Maybe that'll be on your watchlist soon?
Nooo, another show I need to watch!
Thanks Nathan. I’m sure it’ll be gone in a few days. But, yeah, like yourself my day to day work has also got really busy too, so a perfect combination for doing no writing 🙄
I’m watching episode 2 of 3 Body Problem right now. I heard it was meant to be complicated but, so far, I’m enjoying it and haven’t got that confused yet. Was going to review it in my weekly watchlist for this week if I ever get around to writing it! 😳😁
Sounds like your trip was Nice! Hahah.
Very niceah. 😅
I'm gonna ask the question nobody asked so far in the comments: Did you manage to write anything for your novel?
I*'m starting to think that for myself it's either writing a newsletter or writing fiction. Can't do both. It's a dilemma.
Excellent question. Short answer, no, I did not write anything for the novel on the train. I currently have a few projects, the novel, Carter (due May), Elodie, Storyverse, Foto Fridays (next week's is scheduled), War and Peace recordings, and Flash Fiction each Wednesday, well, almost each Wednesday, interspersed with Worldbuilding and Lore articles and videos for my novel, and two screenplays, one finished (need to try and shop it around) another in draft, and working on lecture material and giving lectures helps a bit with the income dilemma but that's done, so need to look for something else.
Substack doesn't keep me from writing fiction. Although, if I were to only focus on the novel, I would have progressed more by now, but then I wouldn't have written most of what's on Tales from the Defrag right now and we wouldn't be having this conversation.
We often look for excuses not to write, I know I do, reality is, the only person who can keep you from writing is you. There's always a million things that will distract us from writing, and we need to shut that nonsense down otherwise we end up scrolling through Notes and do whatever silly thing there is that doesn't need doing, we consume instead of create, and then we go and clean the fridge, again. Writing is hard work, writing when you don't feel like it is even harder, still, you have to do it, write, even if it's something you'll never use anywhere. At least you showed up, you wrote. Easier said than done, and everyone has their way of doing things, experiment, try different approaches, if it means no Substack for a month, go for it. I might. I probably will. This summer. TFTD closed. Gone fishing.
I like this for many reasons. One is because people talk about all the beautiful places in France but forget the strip malls and highways 😆
Another is because I can feel the loosening of the mind’s movements with the train. I’ve taken the train a ton in the 4 years since we moved to Switzerland and ditched out car. Sometimes I take ski day trips 3.5 hours away. The movement and rhythm along with the views give a unique way of witnessing oneself in motion.
Still another reason is the humble acceptance of perceived failures that aren’t failures but just moments in life that shall pass, too.
Train ramblings. I did ponder a few story threads but nothing concrete emerged and so I let the text go where it wanted, acceptance and hope that it will be received for what it is, moments in life, unfiltered. We may go to Dijon by train during the school holidays. Get some mustard... 3.5 hours from here won't take us to the alps. Wish it did! Thanks, Kate, appreciate the kind feedback, hope you're having a lovely easter!
I loved taking this train ride with you Alexander, looking out the window, watching France roll by, the rain blowing off the window, leaning my head against the glass. I have taken so many European and British trains in my life, and have so many vivid memories. Thanks so much for taking me back.
Thanks, Sharron. Glad you enjoyed the ride! I do remember getting stuck in Croydon once on an interrail trip through Britain up to Fort William due to a train strike. I managed to get there eventually but of all the places to get stuck in... well they do have a little botanical garden, which you may want to avoid at all cost. Yes, many vivid memories.
And how did you like Fort William? Did you go anywhere else in Scotland?
We stayed at the camping grounds before heading further north, we did a tour across all of Scotland, still many places we didn't visit. I have scanned the map with the route marked, maybe I should do a post on that some time... we started in Hull went up to Edinburgh, and further north, always north. Gortenbuie in Glen Cannel, south-east of Loch Ba on the Isle of Mull was another highlight, truly magical. Took some great images there.
Oooh! Write about this Alexander. I'd love to hear your impressions.
I will have to, one of these days. 30 years later 😅
Nice! Beautiful pictures, and I enjoyed the raw 1000 words.
Thank you, Cherie! Now back to finishing up Book 2 recording of W&P this week.