I spent today trying to write. Note the ‘trying’ part. Mostly I moved text around, changed some names (again) and scratched in a few details. There was no real measurable forward movement.
At 3 pm, I met Kevin downstairs for a coffee. I only cried once while I was explaining to Kevin that it was all crap and I couldn’t understand what compelled me to even think I could do this and perhaps I am just a short magazine article kind of writer and for me to even begin to believe that I would do something bigger was folly and perhaps insane and maybe I should just fling myself in front of the nearest bus…
Then I thanked him for listening and came back upstairs to this little space. I’ve been sitting at this desk, trying to pull down memories and ideas and shape them into something other than wispy clouds of random text and images.
But like dreams upon waking, they seem to float just beyond the edges of my brain’s ability to capture them. They tease me with their proximity and promise great things if only I can catch them. I’m afraid now, that when I do manage to wrestle something to the page, I’ll just kill it instead.
There is only one recourse. One must laugh. Hope you enjoy the video as much as I did.
Funny that we’re both writing about best-selllers! But as you told me just last week, keep at it. I managed 9,000 words – not great ones – this week but I feel like I’m moving forward at least. Feel free to join me in Mexico ..there’s a 2 BR casa coming up.
Way to go! I’m green. Email me more about the 2 BR…tempt me away from my self-imposed exile.
That’s a very cool video.. I’ve seen it around the traps a few times and it never gets stale….
…. when I get stuck like that I have a good cry too, make a good stiff cup of tea, and write some more… but… not for ANYONE else in the whole world to read… so there’s no-one to judge it, or comment, or review or edit… just words for ME… then I put it in my ‘story ideas’ file and forget about it..
… if that doesn’t work I recommend a good long walk/bike ride/run/ski … anything that will shift you physically through the world….
… if that doesn’t work…. try a bottle of wine and great sex!… hey, it can’t hurt, right?
Very sound advice all round, starting with the tea and working on through the list 🙂 I went for a walk this morning and am now dutifully banging my forehead against these keys. Thanks for the chance for a break from my self-abuse…