Right, so I'm settling into freelancedom nicely. Being the starving writer, starving for her art actually sounds quite glamourous, doesn't it? Sure, I don't own the house Colin Firth does in Love Actually, and write books overlooking the lavender fields of Provence. I live in a 60s-style apartment block off Oxford Road, and the lightblub in the lounge has blown.
However, I will be moving. Whether it's relocating here in Joburg or to Uranus (ha ha ha...ha), I'm moving domestic venues. It's going to be hard, I've lived in this place the longest of my adult years.
Anyway, I went to Vida yesterday, dressed the part. Scarf, blue sunglasses, frightfully flared pants.
This is much better! Sitting in the sunshine, sipping on great coffee and writing while I do it. Instead of SkyNews, I'm getting out. Shit.
I looked down in horror as I was going about the business of being one of those “I-go-to-cafe's-everyday” types of people, writing a little, and realised:
I look like a hippie bastard.
Oh well, sign of the times. I'm trying to take this freelance world by the horns. I never anticipated making a salary off bits and pieces of writing until I was like...a lot older. But either way, I'm trying to relax and remain positive. For the first time in ages I've had some big options. I can do or go in any direction my instinct tells me to, which is exciting, but I'm cold sweating it as well. A lot.
The funny thing is, I'm living that hand-to-mouth unpredictable writer's-on-their-own type life for the moment...and I have to giggle. It's not going to be like this forever, but I might as well enjoy it while it lasts, right? I'm living an existence as a struggling writer, in a dingy apartment and doing what writers do at some point in their lives.
Next week I'll be embarking full-time on my book. I've never done my book full-time. My manuscript is mine to play with for most of the day. Heavy.
I have to remember to thank heavens that I don't have a mortgage or children. I own a rat. And he doesn't eat that much. Oh and a car....he's quite expensive....and rent. And insurance, and, oh God.
OK I will not think of that stuff right now.
No no no.
Baze has lent me hundreds of DVDs. I watched Human Traffic last night with a mate. What a slice. Love that movie.
