Let’s Talk with Karla Brandenburg
Transitions
It’s back to school time again. Parents everywhere are celebrating or bemoaning their quiet houses once again. For some, back to school means getting back on schedule. For some, an empty nest means adjusting to the quiet. As silly as it sounds, when my kids went to college, despite the fact they were rarely home as a rule, they were always there to say goodnight. That one change in routine took some getting used to.
I used to have two cats. When the “alpha” crossed the rainbow bridge, the “beta” cat wasn’t quite sure what to do with herself. It took her some time to get used to being the only cat. in the house, and I was surprised at what a difference it made in her behavior. A cat who had been virtually invisible to company was now coming out to say hello to visitors in my house. The downside is that she wasn’t nearly as cuddly with us as she used to be. Still friendly, still present, but she no longer felt the need to claim a human lap before the other cat could get there.
These days, transitions happen between books. As I finish one, I begin to plan the next one while I wait for the editor to do her thing on the completed one. While in the throes of writing, new inspiration and ideas are generally back-burnered until I can devote the time to them that I’d like. But once a book is finished, I circle back to those things that might have distracted me before.
During my most recent transition, I took a trip to the arboretum to go on a troll hunt, something I’d been dying to do, and something which helped to inspire the next book (no, there will not be trolls in the new book!). What a fun day! I got a chance to get outside and hike some trails, a fun day for me regardless, and around the bend along some of the trails—trolls! Trolls throwing boulders at cars, trolls with traps lying in wait, trolls hiding in the trees. Book transitions are about new experiences and taking the time to learn something.
How do you adjust to changes in your routine—transitions to a different state of being?
Posted in Let's Talk, with Karla Brandenburg, zed: Former Authors • Tags: adventures, BLB Discussion, Karla Brandenburg, transitions | 13 Comments
Looks like you had fun! And those trolls seem to be easy to find, if they’re all as big as that one. I don’t transition well. Takes me days to get back into my comfortable routines after I’ve been away.
Yes, those trolls were HUGE! So much fun. And now with the new book released, I can dedicate my time to the next one!
Transitions are exciting and I look forward to new spaces and new challenges. I have permanently itchy feet and always have at least two trips planned at any moment.
I’m with you. I’m always up for a new adventure, although I don’t always have the freedom to go!
Like a grumpy rodent who wants to go back into her hole, that’s how I adjust. Otherwise I fear ending up like you in that last picture — a quick snack for a troll.
No doubt about it, change is hard!
I feature trolls in my Drift Lords paranormal romance series. They are evil beings from another dimension called Trolleks. RE transitions, it takes me a few days to adjust, whether it’s a transition between books or coming home after a vacation. You have to give it time.
Recovery. Essential to processing change.
I am a big fan of consistency and routine. When interruptions occur, whether its a repair person visit, a group of friends or family, a power outage, or even a hurricane, I require rebooting. Most times that means me time and silence, and for me the amount of recovery times varies. Sometimes sleep is involved…
I can’t even imagine the disruption a hurricane might cause. That’s some major change to routine!
Loving that Trap — need one of those to corral my muse with on occasion. 🙂
LOL – no kidding, Diane!
I get pleasure from, lead to I found just what I used to be taking a look for.
You have ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day.
Bye