Hi, my name is Emmie... and I'm a Bookaholic

I've come to the conclusion that I should not - cannot - enter a bookstore any longer. Because if I do, I'm bound to come out with a few more books for my bookshelf and much less cash than I had when I entered.

I love books.

I'm addicted to books.

I cannot stop buying books.

The ironic thing is that at the moment I have no time to actually read books. I have a whole bookcase now filled with books I've not read yet. And still I keep buying them. I can't help myself. I just have to.

I recently acquired a gorgeous copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. I had to. How could I not? It had gilded edges on the pages...

I do read. Whenever I can. It's just not very often. In fact, I read Eloisa James' Taming of the Duke (finally) this weekend. In one sitting. Unfortunately that sitting was from 1am to 6am (so I'm rather tired today!). I just wish I had more time to read. Eventually I will.. I hope. Maybe then I can catch up on all the unread books I have. (Last count it was more than 100... and I've bought more since.) If I can buy less books for a while maybe I could even catch up...

Does anyone else have anything that they buy too much of? (Not that I necessarily think I have too many books.. I do love them, afterall. I just wish I had time to read them as well.) Do you have a hard time resisting the allure of certain things? Clothes? Movies (I must admit to buying a fair few of those as well)? Anything?

Or am I the only 'addict' in the room?

...

Dear Writer,

Understood and complied.

Yours (ever so faithfully),
{list of characters}


*complete silence*


1 minute has passed...

2 minutes...

3...


Jacob (in a theatrical whisper), "Why hasn't she started writing yet?"


Bonk... Bonk... Bonk... (<--- writer banging head against wall in frustration)

A stressed writer...

Dear Characters,

As the writer, I would like to believe that it is my prerogative whether I'm writing or not. At the current time I am not writing since I have had other things to deal with, and I am also trying to decide on the best course of action to get this particular story finished.

However, I am having troubles concentrating because I have all these annoying characters inside my head who all want their own story told, and I have therefore been busy writing these ideas down before they disappear. I think that you should know though, that it is giving me a headache. I feel that you should learn to be quiet when I'm not asking you for your help, and you should keep your noses from where they don't belong (the actual planning process of the writing).

While I have several characters whining about their stories I cannot get anything done, so I would highly appreciate it if you would all just shut up for some time and mind your own business. Then I can get back to writing and everything will be well.


Signed,
A very tired writer

Concerned characters

Dear Writer,

We have become aware as of late that you are not effectively working on the story of Jessica and Jacob, and we feel that we must express our concern in this regard. The story is so close to being done, you must only re-write some of the scenes and do revisions and proofreading. We cannot understand what is causing this delay in your efforts. The longer it is taking the more difficult it will become, and we are worried about your commitment to our cause.

Also, we would like to make you aware of the discord between ourselves that this is creating. You cannot imagine the bickering this is causing about the reasons for your delays. We understand that you are busy writing down ideas for other stories, but would very much appreciate your immediate attention to the story at hand, after which you will be able to start the next one. We believe that this is a solution that would suit everyone's needs.


Yours Sincerely,

Lady Jessica Howerty

on behalf of
Nathaniel Howerty, the Marquess of Pensington (who wants Jacob to pay for what he did)
Jacob Hurst, the Earl of Wortham (who wants Nathaniel off his back)
Lady Miranda Howerty (who wants Nick to shut up about getting her story)
Lady Nicola Howerty (who won't stop talking about getting her story - partly just to annoy Rain)

Being a bad writer...

"What do you think she's doing?"

Nathaniel gave Jacob an irritated look. "How am I supposed to know?"

His friend smiled blandly. "Well, you usually act as if you know everything. I thought you knew this too."

Arching his eyebrows, Nathaniel asked sardonically, "Aren't you confusing me for yourself now?"

Jacob chuckled. "Perhaps. But the question remains. I don't understand what's taking her so long. We should be much further along than this."

"Maybe you scared her off," Nick supplied helpfully from where she was sitting by the window petting one of Rain's kittens.

"I did not!" Jacob scoffed. "I've been on my best behaviour."

"Even your best behaviour leaves much to be desired," Nathaniel muttered. "I've not forgotten what you did to my sister."

"Are we back to that again?" Jacob sighed, looking bored.

Nathaniel looked as if he was going to boil over, so Jessica quickly stepped in. "Nathaniel, it's fine. Let's not argue. What's done is done."

"Fine," Nathaniel bit off with an angry glance at Jacob who was now smiling blithely. "Let's concentrate on the issue at hand. But he better wipe that smug look off his face before I punch him."

Nick stood up and walked over to the group gathered at the table. "So, why isn't she writing? She should be working on finishing Jacob and Jessica's story, shouldn't she?"

Everyone nodded. "That's what we're talking about."

"Maybe she's tired of them?" Nathaniel pondered.

"Hardly," Jacob scoffed. "It's rather that she knows that our story is much better than yours. If she finishes it'll just prove this fact and it'll make yours seem so much worse. You couldn't handle that."

"There is nothing wrong with my story!" Nathaniel snapped.

"So you think," Jacob mumbled, his eyes glittering with suppressed mirth from having been able to poke Nathaniel's temper once again.

"She needs to get back to writing. The story has to finish so that she can start on mine," Nick complained. "I want to be a grown-up and have my own fun!"

"Just because you're a grown-up doesn't mean you'll actually act like one," Rain called from where she was sitting on the floor, surrounded by a litter of kittens.

"But I'll have fun," Nick said. "And that's what matters. Besides, she's going to write my story before yours, even though I'm younger," she added as she stuck her tongue out at her older sister.

"That's just because mine is much more important and she needs more time to plan it," Rain grumbled. "I'm going to be the Incomparable during my London season. Everyone knows that. Then I'll meet a handsome man and we'll fall in love instantly and live happily ever after."

"Hardly," Nick said with a big smile. "You'll be miserable, else there will be no story to tell."

"We're digressing," Nathaniel cut off their bickering. "We need to find a way to sort this out. How can we get the writer to start writing again?"

"Let's send her a letter?" Jacob suggested with a grin.

"Well," Jessica said slowly as she was thinking. "To be honest I can't really think of another way. So let's do that. Who will write it?" She looked at the others and then sighed when she noticed that they were all looking expectantly at her. "Fine!" she muttered. "I'll do it."

"Very well," Nathaniel said, satisfied. "Maybe you can finally get your happily ever after now, Jessica."

"I sure hope so," Jacob muttered. "Maybe then people will get off my back..."