Friday 24 October 2014

And relax...

There's nothing quite like decorating to annoy/infuriate/make you want to leave home and never pick up a paintbrush again... but there's also nothing quite like sitting down in your brand new room and feeling calm and relaxed.


My living room used to be yellow, and now it's blue. I'm sure writing in this new room will inspire me - it's been yellow for a very long time, and change was well overdue. There are some pictures to put up, and a new sofa to buy early next year, but apart from it's all done!

It gave me a good excuse reason to reorganise all my writing folders that have been stacked up in my bedroom for weeks. I probably don't need so much paper any more (two versions of the book I'm working on at the moment??) but I really can't bring myself to throw it all away. Sometimes there will be a gem of an idea scribbled in the margin, or a beautiful phrase that didn't make the final cut but will be perfect in another piece.


Last week, before we picked up our paintbrushes, I was really getting into that current ms. I've had it on ice since February, and as I started rewriting, I found a few inaccuracies that I needed to straighten out and a few character traits that didn't ring true. All written out and replaced with something more believable. I can only imagine what I'll find in the next two-thirds of the book. And I can't wait.

I've also got a great short story bubbling away in the back of my mind, but no idea how to start it or how to write it. Should be interesting!

What was your last decorating project?
Do you still use more paper than strictly necessary?



26 comments:

  1. our house is still in turmoil since a busted pipe back in September. Took awhile to get quotes, get insurance squared away, etc. Next week - new floors, then paint. And I plan to move pictures around, shuffle furniture. It's a blank slate of my 20 year old stuff to rearrange. Your room looks fabulous and I like that blue - very calming. Good for you! paper serves its purpose - I can't imagine not having a pen in my hand. Have a great weekend - enjoy that room

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    1. It must be annoying to have to wait around - enjoy the reshuffle :-)

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  2. Decorating project? Ha! Perhaps when I move into my own place. I doubt straightening up my stacks of books counts right now.

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    1. But, on the plus side Sheena-kay, you don't have to decorate!! :-) Don't straighten the books - just buy new ones.

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  3. Awesome you're excited about it again!
    Your living room looks great. Our last decorating was also painting.

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    1. Painting is the easiest way to freshen something up - although I hated having the room (and therefore my writing) out of action for a whole week!

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  4. It has been so long since I redecorated and my house is greatly in need of it. You're so right about a new look being so refreshing. I need to declutter too. All the chaos makes my brain feel fuzzy.

    Love the blue!

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    1. It was a long time for us too - and half way through, I began to regret all the upheaval!

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  5. Hi Annalisa - the paint job looks quite amazing and so pristine - well done and will definitely make you feel better. Paper is my bane ... still it is slowly being done away with. I really must transfer notes to an ongoing note book ...

    Cheers and enjoy the weekend - Hilary

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    1. I'm not sure I'll ever be able to give up paper entirely. I love the feel of flicking through a notebook of used pages and hearing the crispiness.

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  6. I like the blue!!! And I love to redecorate, though, it's been a while. Thanks for reminding me to get into my mess of a room and toss some unneeded paperwork.

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    1. Thanks Cathrina :-) Sorting through the paperwork was very cathartic - and I found a whole heap of scribblings which I've kept for future inspiration!

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  7. Oh, and good luck with the new story bubbling around in your head!!! That's the best!!!

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    1. I feel very calm today. The next job is the picture hanging :-)

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  9. Great job. I like the blue. Last year we had to paint the whole inside of the house and I hated every minute of it. I have tons of paperwork too. I just file them nicely into binders and tell myself they are crucial for the future. Just last month I filled a box of paperwork and placed it among my college notes, just to make it all seem organized.

    I wish you the best with the new stories that are bubbling away. I hope you get to make them a reality soon.

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    1. It's never fun when you're actually doing the decorating! I have a lot of binders too - pretending to be organised is just as good as actually being it :-)

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  10. I love the blue color. I am the world's worst decorator!
    Exciting that you are back to your story, I've no doubt it's another great one.

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    1. You wouldn't think you're the worst, if you'd sat in on some of our efforts over the years, Julie! And, yes, it's great to be back with this story again - another one that's been lingering for several years, so I really feel like I know these characters.

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  11. We were out and about this weekend and found a funky coffee table at an antique/vintage type sale - I love finding pieces like that, ones that feel inspiring and like "us." :)

    Good luck with the writing!

    Madeline @ The Shellshank Redemption

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    1. I love finding pieces like that too. It doesn't often happen - I'm always in the wrong place at the wrong time!

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  12. I love your redecorated room colors! It's amazing how a new color can transform a room, isn't it?

    I haven't painted any rooms in awhile. I thought I might do some of that when I quit teaching and decided to write full time. Because you know, I thought I'd have plenty of spare time. Somehow that doesn't seem to be the case!

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    1. Lol, Dianne... I think we manage to fill the time we have. Spare time is a myth!

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  13. Dig the blues! And I'm the same way, regarding not throwing out old writing folders/notebooks. But I'm still pretty attached to pen and paper, for first drafts, at least. :-)

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    1. I've got my notepad out beside me... it won't be going anywhere for a while!

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  14. We repainted last year and did some major inside work painting, laying down new hardwood flooring and this year another major repair job awaits. We need to tear down the old walls in our bathroom and put up new drywall. This bathroom is also getting a new floor and new look all due to a water leak from the shower. I think last years project is still on my mind. The weeks of coming home to what looked like total destruction. Now that the other work is complete and my home is back in order sometimes I can't help but sit and look around at the transformation just a little bit of paint made.

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