2020-08-11 21:48
What I was doing was…
Needing to work on something (novel? The play? Some other thing?) and create some big finish for this last day of a year long effort. I struggled all day… Read More
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Paul Macauley – Writer, Director, Maker Of Thing Blog
paulmacauley.net
this site catches the brain spill wonderings and doodles from paul macauley as he continues his efforts to write and make films, amongst other things, and be alive and stuff.
2020-08-10 15:45
What I was doing was…
And I’m done… no not quite, 2020 was a bloody leap year and 366 days will be up tomorrow so… intending to write a few thousand words o… Read More
2020-08-09 20:04
What I was doing was…
Beginning the next chapter of this draft of the novel, figuring I’d find an hour before the day got too hot to get into it. Just did my bare minimum… Read More
2020-08-08 19:48
What I was doing was…
Ugh, writing in the heat! Finished up a chapter with a little 800 word sprint. Finally managed to get myself to sit down and do something once the afterno… Read More
2020-08-07 17:12
What I was doing was…
Writing writing writing while melting melting melting and aiming to finish a chapter. Wrote 2000 or so more words on the novel draft. Took a little help f… Read More
2020-08-06 16:47
What I was doing was…
Writing on the novel draft today, working to finish one chapter and get going with the next. Worked in sprints for about 3 hours in total and came up with… Read More
2020-08-05 15:20
What I was doing was…
Working on some more scenes for the solo play in this writing studio vibe. Got my first assignment from Iron Man, doodled, lay down then wrote some, then… Read More
2020-08-04 21:31
What I was doing was…
Back in the studio (the living room of my flat) today, playing and developing some more scenes for this solo play. I listened to tunes and danced then pic… Read More
2020-08-03 19:17
What I was doing was…
Today I was beginning to write the first draft of the solo play I have been working on. I printed out the story moments I’d written before, gave the… Read More
2020-08-02 11:00
What I was doing was…
Morning pages today with the old novel writing. 398 more words, in a fizzy 15 minutes going off in a new direction midway into this chapter. Felt like I&r… Read More
2020-08-01 17:37
What I was doing was…
Writing a little on chapter 20 of the novel. Got another 589 words down, in twenty minutes hidden away in my bedroom cave -quite a few things to second gu… Read More
2020-07-31 13:02
What I was doing was…
A small sliver of novel writing today. Clocking in with my 15 minutes (443 more words for the draft!) Helped immensely by hiding in the blacked out cave o… Read More
2020-07-30 15:05
What I was doing was…
Little novel writing this morning before my last day at my job. Wrote for 15 weird minutes (about 470 words) this fever dream of a chapter. Helped immense… Read More
2020-07-29 09:04
What I was doing was…
Beginning on chapter 20 of the novel today. Sketching out character intentions and an idea of the mood and key revelations of the thing (for some reason I… Read More
2020-07-28 08:53
What I was doing was…
Writing again this morning on the novel draft, aiming to finish the chapter I didn’t quite complete yesterday. Wrote 379 words in the 15 minute wind… Read More
2020-07-27 19:35
What I was doing was…
Intending on doing some work on the ebook then finishing the current chapter of the novel then beginning the next one. Ended up writing for 15 minutes in… Read More
2020-07-26 19:37
What I was doing was…
As has been for the last week or so, and will continue to be for the next week, today’s creative effort was just a minimal 15 minute writing sprint… Read More
2020-07-25 19:14
What I was doing was…
Working on the ebook and doing some novel writing today. I drew and photographed and photoshopped and typed and put together the ebook I hope to soon shar… Read More
2020-07-24 16:24
What I was doing was…
Keeping the novel moving with a teenie writing sprint on this otherwise day off. Write for 15 mins, 400 words in which a black hole opened in a shed -who… Read More
2020-07-23 21:02
Writing novelage this morning. Just had about 15 minutes to write words (x500) before heading out the door. Had to get into work for a last minute meeting -probably not a bad thing othe… Read More
2020-07-22 08:08
What I was doing was…
Writing some of a new chapter of the novel redraft this morning before work. Wrote for 15 minutes a scene where my character is being hunted in the mist… Read More
2020-07-21 19:39
What I was doing was…
Working on my little creativity ebook today. Wanted to come up with some illustration ideas so alternated mini 2 minute dancing sprints with 3 minutes of… Read More
2020-07-20 19:27
What I was doing was…
Reworking a chapter from this draft to share with a writing group I am part of, and also intended to work on my little ebook. Started late morning and doe… Read More
2020-07-19 19:23
What I was doing was…
Finishing up chapter 18 of the new draft of the novel today and getting started on the next, plus working on an ebook about creativity! Wrote a thousand o… Read More
2020-07-18 15:17
What I was doing was…
Observing weekend daily creative practice mode via a little effort on the novel. Wrote for 15 minutes on chapter 18 -another 432 words, many of which were… Read More
2020-07-17 19:06
What I was doing was…
A little bit of writing on the novel and a conversation about the solo theatre piece I am developing. Wrote 477 words and then had a helpful and encouragi… Read More
2020-07-16 19:20
What I was doing was…
‘Ah god I can’t be bothered I just want to watch Deep Space Nine’… and then I resolved to do 15 minutes of writing. Wrote 369 hal… Read More
2020-07-15 20:15
What I was doing was…
Back writing the novel today, just for 15 minutes around work and other commitments. Wrote 390 words on chapter 18 pretty damn quickly, after not really w… Read More
2020-07-14 20:21
What I was doing was…
One of those days today that seemed to change shape as soon as the day started so didn’t think about pointing myself at anything until this evening… Read More
2020-07-13 14:48
What I was doing was…
Writing a little more novel today. In between writing feedback on people’s work for a writing group I’m in, and calling into the office to do… Read More
2020-07-12 17:21
Writing a chapter of the novel today. Wrote in sprints for about three hours today, about 3,000 words, and am now officially in the latter half of the draft! My plot plan sketch for the… Read More
2020-07-11 20:21
What I was doing was…
Gathering some work and thoughts together this evening to send over to someone ahead of a chat next week about this solo theatre piece I’m developin… Read More
2020-07-10 12:34
What I was doing was…
Working on some personal brand stuff and finishing off a chapter of the novel this morning. Wrote a couple of hundred words on chapter 15 after spending a… Read More
2020-07-09 08:52
What I was doing was…
More novel writing this morning, 15 minutes before work. Wrote 407 words… then time was up and decided to keep going to get down a couple of though… Read More
2020-07-08 19:26
What I was doing was…
Writing some more on the novel this evening. Got home from work and just did a quick 15 minutes (250 more words!) before dinner and a Zoom call with the w… Read More
2020-07-07 16:41
What I was doing was…
Paying attention to bits and pieces of things today, including a teeny bit of work on the novel. Met with a chum to talk about my personal brand stuff and… Read More
2020-07-06 20:10
What I was doing was…
Working today on creating a readable new version of the solo theatre piece I am developing. I took the transcription of me telling the story out loud and… Read More
2020-07-05 19:38
What I was doing was…
Decided to do another hour writing this morning. Got halfway through the chapter I’m working on, about 1,400 words, and felt zingy when I packed it… Read More
2020-07-04 19:02
What I was doing was…
Intending today to have a FULL ON HARDCORE DAY OF WRITING YEAH? Ended up only being a couple of hours, but it was a productive time, 3x 40 minute sprints… Read More
2020-07-03 18:46
What I was doing was…
Relaxed evening writing sprint on this rest day. Wrote for 15 minutes and summoned up another 365 words for the novel. Sometimes I feel like getting my da… Read More
2020-07-02 08:36
What I was doing was…
Writing on chapter 13 of the novel this morning, which I could not be bothered to do. Before heading off to sit in an office for the day I took 15 minutes… Read More
2020-07-01 11:20
What I was doing was…
Beginning the 15th chapter (chapter 13 -am writing in a weird order) of the new novel draft this morning. Took 15 minutes before heading to work to do my… Read More
2020-06-30 21:39
What I was doing was…
Paying attention to the solo show idea I’ve been developing on and off for a year now. This meant, eventually right at the end of the day, wiping th… Read More
2020-06-29 18:44
What I was doing was…
Intending to get somewhere substantial on the personal branding thing I’m working on. Sat in bed writing some disappointing stuff then went back to… Read More
2020-06-28 17:11
What I was doing was…
Quick 15 minutes of novel writing. Wrote 230 words, a kinda clunky dialogue scene. Fitting writing in after a long walk up to Stanmer Park and before head… Read More
2020-06-27 21:05
What I was doing was…
A whole (writing) day on the novel today. A writing day, as you may know, no longer than four hours, but it turns out that’s enough time to finish a… Read More
2020-06-26 20:10
What I was doing was…
Getting into writing a new chapter of the novel today. Despite intending to spend a whole bunch of time, I just did my bare minimum 15 minutes and wrote 3… Read More
2020-06-25 18:53
What I was doing was…
Going back to work on the younger character’s story in the novel today. Stared into space for a while then came up with a more detailed idea of what… Read More
2020-06-24 08:56
What I was doing was…
Finishing up the chapter of the novel I’m working on. Wrote a last 400 or so words to fulfil a kinda important revelation and moment of decision for… Read More
2020-06-23 19:45
What I was doing was…
More novel writing today, on the last day of my MVP 15 minutes only daily effort. Write just under 700 words, nearing the end of this chapter now. Had ene… Read More
2020-06-22 09:44
What I was doing was…
Opening a fifteen minute window this morning to invite in some novel words. Writing in bed and 325 of them flew into the keys and appeared in Scrivener. R… Read More
2020-06-21 17:04
What I was doing was…
Keeping up the bare minimum viable product of my daily creative effort by doing another 15 minutes of writing on the novel today. Wrote 500 or so words in… Read More
2020-06-20 13:49
What I was doing was…
Working on the novel today. Went word fishing for 15 mins and caught 387 words and had fun as my characters argued and fished up some home truths. Having… Read More
2020-06-19 15:32
What I was doing was…
Writing a sliver of novelness today. 338 words of a sort of relationship autopsy scene -fun! Am doing the bare minimum for the next few days after the &ls… Read More
2020-06-18 07:41
What I was doing was…
Making a start on the next chapter of the novel rewrite this morning. Sat down for 15 minutes before heading to work and after a halting start wrote 350 w… Read More
2020-06-17 08:30
What I was doing was..
Making notes ahead of starting the next chapter of the novel. It’s a relationship dissection scenario basically, but somehow I see it challenging the ener… Read More
2020-06-16 19:00
What I was doing was…
Checking in with some solo show nurturing and brand development stuff today. Sat in the park to make notes on some prompts that came out of yesterday, and… Read More
2020-06-15 20:11
What I was doing was…
Developing my personal brand thinking today and trying to land on some key ideas of how to position myself as a person who makes things and who helps othe… Read More
2020-06-14 13:53
What I was doing was…
Right -sigh- this is me describing my intention for my creative efforts for today: I would focus on developing the show by working through the exercises I… Read More
2020-06-14 13:50
What I was doing was…
Finishing this pass at the latest chapter today. Wrote 750 words and wrapped up the 11th chapter of this new draft (which is actually chapter 14, but what… Read More
2020-06-14 13:50
What I was doing was…
More novel writing today! While it was gloomy outside I had some coffee and write another 1,300 words on the chapter first thing, thinking I’d come… Read More
2020-06-11 20:42
What I was doing was…
Working on the latest chapter of the new draft of the novel this morning. Do my usual Thursday morning 15 minutes (340 words! Alright!) and ended up havin… Read More
2020-06-10 08:37
What I was doing was…
Starting a new chapter of a novel this morning. Wrote 450 words of a scenario that I’m intending to have about it a haunted house vibe, which I am n… Read More
2020-06-09 20:28
What I was doing was…
Back doing some thinking about the show today. Talked to myself around some questions to better understand the nature of what I’m trying to make, th… Read More
2020-06-08 18:22
What I was doing was…
Working on some personal brand stuff today. Thinking about reworking my website, alongside some other exciting new things, and what that might all look an… Read More
2020-06-07 18:47
What I was doing was…
Sketching out the detailed plan for the next chapter of the novel. Same thing of combining chapter aims, character intentions and tactics and where there… Read More
2020-06-06 13:20
What I was doing was…
Aiming to finish writing the latest draft of novel chapter I’m working on. Wrote for a few hours what turned out to be the longest chapter so far, w… Read More
2020-06-05 19:13
What I was doing was…
Writing more novel words for chapter 9 (or 10?) of the new draft of the novel. An enjoyable 15 mins writing 325 words. Didn’t feel like writing all… Read More
2020-06-04 20:31
What I was doing was…
Writing novel words today. Wrote 325 of em in 15 minutes this morning before work, can’t remember any of that as it was over 12 hours ago. Only just… Read More
2020-06-03 19:06
What I was doing was…
Listening in for some feedback on the latest version of the first chapter of my novel. Had an encouraging and helpful conversation about my work and other… Read More
2020-06-02 17:07
What I was doing was…
Starting in on the next chapter of the novel rewrite. Did my usual mapping out of the chapter using the synopsis I wrote previously, reminding myself of t… Read More
2020-06-01 19:56
What I was doing was…
Wasn’t really sure for most of the day what I would point myself at to honour doing something about a creative project. Ended up finishing the novel… Read More
2020-05-31 15:41
What I was doing was…
Ignored the heat for 15 minutes to do the minimum work on my novel for today. Got stuck and quite uninspired with picking up the chapter I’m working… Read More
2020-05-30 20:35
What I was doing was…
Writing some novel words this evening. Unexpectedly, I am doing this sat on the pavement outside my house, using the last of my phone battery to write 466… Read More
2020-05-29 17:41
What I was doing was…
Only wanted to give 25 mins to something. Sat on a bench and wrote about where I’m at with the screenplay. Had a good time with a friend exploring s… Read More
2020-05-28 20:10
What I was doing was…
Writing novel words. Wrote 350 of em after getting home from a long, late day in the office. Just a knackering and full day, following some crummy sleep l… Read More
2020-05-27 08:47
What I was doing was…
Back down the mine again with the novel. Wrote for 15 minutes and mined 275 words. Was thinking last night about writing being like mining, maybe making t… Read More
2020-05-26 16:00
What I was doing was…
Focusing on the solo show today, intending to give things space and go with whatever arose. Went for a slow wander around the park to clear my mind, then… Read More
2020-05-25 17:00
What I was doing was…
Trying to balance doing a few things I said I’d do today with the need to go with whatever might arise (in the screenplay idea which is really excit… Read More
2020-05-24 19:35
What I was doing was…
Had vague intentions of doing some work on the novel today. Quite unexpectedly I ended up coming up with a revised plot for the next draft of a screenplay… Read More
2020-05-23 17:17
What I was doing was…
Sketching out the next chapter this evening. Spent 15 minutes getting a bit more detailed about what the characters are doing in the chapter and what the… Read More
2020-05-22 19:34
What I was doing was…
Writing to finish a pass at this latest chapter this evening. Wrote for fifteen minutes (running on fumes, so sleepy) and fleshed our in a further 300 the… Read More
2020-05-21 08:27
What I was doing was…
Early novel writing this morning. Write 350 words and seemed to get to the end of the chapter early and so wondered if I should continue and see what happ… Read More
2020-05-20 19:41
What I was doing was…
Working on the novel draft this morning. Spent 15 minutes writing 300 words, picking up where I left off at the weekend. Realise I’m open to the fac… Read More
2020-05-19 21:06
What I was doing was…
Gathering all my solo show thinking so far into some presentable form to share with someone I’m working with on the project. After a procrastinating… Read More
2020-05-18 19:33
What I was doing was…
Intending to finish a chapter of the novel and get onto the next chapter today. And, after writing 2,500 words about a scenario featuring supporting chara… Read More
2020-05-17 19:28
What I was doing was…
Thought I’d do a nugget of novel writing this evening. Sat in a teepee in the woods and wrote 398 words. The end of the day was drawing nearer and n… Read More
2020-05-16 14:43
What I was doing was…
After a morning of not intending to do much I felt the urge to do some work thinking about my online presence. I did some brainstorming about my brand. Th… Read More
2020-05-15 21:07
What I was doing was…
Ejecting on any expectations of the day. Ended up walking then doodling story circles (see: Dan Harmon) for that screenplay project I pick up and put down e… Read More
2020-05-14 18:53
What I was doing was…
Another day, another… whatever… took until the evening to summon the intention to write. Conjured 350 words which are surely for the bin at… Read More
2020-05-13 19:18
What I was doing was…
Working for a bunch on the novel. A bunch turned out to 300 words. One of those days where the expectation of what could be was not enabled by the state i… Read More
2020-05-12 19:39
What I was doing was…
Back to writing some novel words this morning. Spent 15 minutes on the opening of a new chapter, and even though I hadn’t thought about it for while… Read More
2020-05-11 18:45
What I was doing was…
A day of mainly novel stuff, sharing the opening chapter with a few friends for feedback. I read through and worked on it for a bit, making sure it was vagu… Read More
2020-05-10 19:08
What I was doing was…
Lazy day just soaking some interesting things up. Read some articles and listened to ‘The Dropout’ podcast about Silicon Valley fraud and Ther… Read More
2020-05-09 14:47
What I was doing was…
Piecemeal day of nudging a few projects along today. Catching up with people and thinking through a few things for thy e coming week. It’s one of th… Read More
2020-05-08 18:25
What I was doing was…
Just a little bit of reading today. Had a lazy day, a shopping trip (including bike ride) before finishing up Wendy Liu’s ‘Abolish Silicon Val… Read More
2020-05-07 20:07
What I was doing was…
Starting a new chapter in the new draft of the novel this morning. Making notes about the purpose of the chapter, the intentions of the characters and the… Read More
2020-05-06 08:19
What I was doing was…
15 minutes novel writing this morning. Coffee and toast, then go-quick-write-the-words-ooo-look-now-there’s-300-of-them-now-stop. I do love a timed… Read More
2020-05-05 12:45
What I was doing was…
A little novel writing today. Only half an hour continuing the chapter I started a few days ago. Didn’t feel like doing anything this morning so I d… Read More
2020-05-04 17:30
What I was doing was…
Stepping back for some project development/reorienting today. Good morning of thinking through things, then a few hours of frustration and then some usefu… Read More
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