Distractions and Writer's Block

You'd think looking at that snarling face would get me going but even putting that as wallpaper on the computer isn't helping.  Sucking down a big cup of coffee isn't helping either.  I even tried watching some of my favorite romantic movies.  Fell asleep.  Not promising.  My Muse is sitting in the garden ignoring my pleas for help.

So - what do do, what to do.  My deadline is the end of the month and the story's stuck, stalled, bogged down, mired in mundaness(is that even a word?) and so on.  I'd pull out my hair in frustration except that it'd hurt and I don't do pain well.  Banging my head on my desk isn't an option, either, as there's so much junk piled on my desk I'd probably end up with a serious injury and wouldn't want to try to explain to a doctor why I needed those stitches in my head.  If nothing else he might suggest I clean off my desk.  (Oh, the horror!)

Tried all my usual tricks.  Watched movies, as I said, even ones that have nothing to do with romance.  Tried playing around with some other story that's been tickling the brain only now it's decided to go away, too.  Even tried shopping and now have more plants than will probably fit in my garden plus more books I don't have the time to read right now.  That deadline, you know.  Tick, tock, tick, tock.

It's all the distractions.  Doctor appointment.  Car needs the oil changed.(or so says the little message flashing on the dashboard)  Arrangements for two conferences in July, including trying to put together what goodies I want to hand out.  Page proofs for the reissue of Compromised Hearts coming out in November.  Synopsis and info on characters and dress needed for the next Wherlocke story.  A cat with an allergy to fleas that needed several trips to the vet before that was figured out.  And so on, and so on.  Oh, and let's not forget all the taping I have to do for the World Cup so hubby can watch the games played during the day when he comes home from work at night.  Throw in all the usual stuff you have to do - like get groceries - and this starts to add up.  It's one long series of interruptions.

I need minions.   Unfortunately, there aren't any to be had.  So I guess I will have to make the world talk to the palm.  When the hubby comes home tonight, he will be informed that he's on his own for the next 2 weeks and if he interrupts me for anything less than arterial bleeding or heart pain, he's dead meat.  He's also going to be made to scan my calls.  For my part - the internet gets only 1/2 hour while I have my morning coffee.  And - let's be honest - the internet is a deadly time-suck.  It lures you in and next thing you know - hours have slipped away.  I have a suspicion that Ilsabeth and Simon curse every time they hear 'You've got mail'.  Fortunately it's the season of repeats for my favorite TV shows so there's no real problem there.
Now - all I have to do is train the cats to open the door themselves and I'm home free.

And, no, these measures will not completely fix the blockage but it'll force me to sit down and tackle it.  Right now I'm into avoidance with a vengeance.  That doesn't work when the deadline clock is ticking.  So wish me luck or send me minions.  I'm off to grab my Muse by the throat and remind her who pays the bills around here.(well, hers anyways).