Hot Mess

I took the inspiration for my blog title from Amy’s newest release (doesn’t it look pretty over in the sidebar there?).

Why am I feeling like a hot mess at the moment?

Because this week I’ve started a new book.

Oh, it’s not that the book is a hot mess. No, no, no! It’s going like a dream. I LOVE my characters. I LOVE the situation I’ve so meanly thrust them in. ;-) I mean, I’m only at day 3 so one would hope my book and I would still be at the honeymoon stage where we’re totally enamoured with each other. It’ll be another week or so before I’m banging my head on my desk and moaning “Hot mess!” out loud.

If I can find the room to bang my head against said desk, that is.

You see that’s my current problem. I always—always—clean my desk between projects. It’s a mind thing—fresh start and all that, a clean slate from which exciting new ideas can spring forth and help me to create magic. At least, that’s the plan. :)

But, Dear Reader, I’m currently in the throes of a PhD (oh, and, yes—it’s a steaming Hot Mess!)…and the PhD in true metaphoric fashion it has taken over my life, infringing on every part of it. Including my desk.

This will give you an idea of the scale of the problem…

See what I mean? In addition to this I have pile of textbooks right behind me, they’re also on the futon, under the futon and beside the futon. I even have a tottering pile in the ensuite of my writer’s loft, but I’m too embarrassed to show you a picture of that. ;-)

But you know what? I’ve discovered that I can work amid the clutter. Who knew? All I need is pen and paper, and a little orange oil burning away in in my oil burner, and I’m all set.

So rather than whinging I’ve decided to embrace my clutter.

I guess that means it’s time now to get back to my twin-swap, doorstep baby story. ;-)

What about you—can you work amid clutter or do you absolutely have to clean up first?