So, here’s the thing. I’m trying to finish the first draft of my current novel by Labor Day, leaving me free to enjoy the beauty of Yosemite without the nagging guilt that I should be in front of my keyboard. Of course, I’ll spend a not insignificant period of time at Yosemite thinking about rewrites, but whatta ya gonna do?

The problem is there’s a direct correlation between number of pages written and number of caffeinated beverages consumed. My two-Coke-a-day habit has spiraled into a five-Coke-a-day habit. Something I hadn’t really noticed until I walked away from the computer two evenings ago with the shakes.

So yesterday, I suited up and climbed on the wagon. Two Cokes a day, no more, with perhaps an even greater reduction over time. Good, right?

Wrong.

I have a headache, I’m grumpy and it’s possible I’m well on my way to developing a facial tick.

Anyone with advice on surviving caffeine withdrawal symptoms is welcome to post a comment. In the meantime, I’m going to curl up in a ball and whimper.