As I’ve mentioned previously, I do most of my writing now while I’m at work, especially since I got my Bluetooth keyboard. I really shouldn’t be doing that. I should be writing at home, where I don’t have to worry about if the subject matter excites me. But for some reason, I just don’t write while I’m home.

I get to work two days a week from my home office. And, to be honest, I don’t do a lot of work on those days. I mean, I don’t do a lot of work on most days, but that’s because I don’t have a lot of work to do (don’t tell my boss). I manage about a dozen people but they sort of take care of themselves so other than approving their timesheets and answering occasional questions, and of course our biweekly one-on-one meetings, I don’t really have much to do. So I write — usually in the mornings, usually about 2000-4000 words. Sometimes I also write in the afternoons but I get my best work done in the morning.

When I’m at home, though, I just don’t have the urge to write. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because I have the freedom to do other things so it doesn’t feel as sneaky or illicit. Maybe it’s because I prefer writing on the Bluetooth keyboard (I like how little travel the keys have). Maybe it’s because when I’m writing on my phone’s small screen it looks like I’m getting more done. I really don’t have the answer. I certainly could pair my Bluetooth keyboard with my laptop, but when I’m “working” from home it stays in my bag. Even when I take it out I don’t pair it.

So if I have all this time at home to write, why don’t I do so? I love writing; I love telling stories and creating characters. It makes me feel good to be using those skills that I’ve spent decades honing. But, at least as far as the GWWA story goes, I wrote maybe two or three paragraphs of it on my laptop and the rest was all on my phone. When I went to visit my parents a few weeks ago I had plenty of time where I could have been writing, but I just… didn’t.

What did I do on my last work-from-home day? I wrote blog posts (which is satisfying, but not as satisfying as writing fiction; it feels more like a job because I have to create content for every weekday), I corresponded with people, I teased my partners over text, I watched a couple of spanking videos, I played a game on my computer, and yes, I even did a little work. But I didn’t write any fiction, and I could have; whenever the time revealed itself, I thought about doing it and discarded the idea.

I wish I knew why. I write so fast that if I could write for even an hour when I’m at home (after work or on a telecommute day; it doesn’t matter) I could finish a book every six weeks (or fewer).

At least I’m writing in the first place, even if I’m doing it somewhere I shouldn’t be. After spending so many months barely producing anything, it’s been nice to pour out thousands of words every week or so. Hopefully you’re enjoying the previews that I’ve been posting.

Maybe someday I’ll have the self-discipline to write somewhere other than at work. I don’t know. But we’ll find out.