How many eight hour days do you have to think, read and write for your book before you are a serious writer? 200? 78? 12? I need to know. By now I intended to have spent at least 20 or even 30 such days in 2014 but the reality is more like six. My UCLA writing class begins in a month and by then I must have at least the draft of an introduction and chapter one. More importantly I must have the habit of shutting out all distractions.

Today has been good. Eight hours of ‘book’  with only two short naps! Now for two hours of Friday evening public affairs TV, ice cream and laundry time.  And instead of a photo, here’s my song of the day.

Paperback Writer by the Beatles

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?

It took me years to write, will you take a look?
It’s based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job so I want to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer!

It’s the dirty story of a dirty man
And his clinging wife doesn’t understand
His son is working for the Daily Mail
It’s a steady job but he wants to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer!

Paperback writer

It’s a thousand pages, give or take a few
I’ll be writing more in a week or two
I can make it longer if you like the style
I can change it ’round and I want to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer!

If you really like it you can have the rights
It could make a million for you overnight
If you must return it you can send it here
But I need a break and I want to be a paperback writer
Paperback writer!

Paperback writer
Paperback writer
Paperback writer