As of Saturday, I’ve been blogging here for three years. I wasn’t online much over the weekend, I was kind of busy eating baked goods in an art gallery and then laughing because I know during this show.
I planned to write when we got home, but I found myself watching Breaking Bad instead.
I got up at 5 am on Sunday, and was depressed for the rest of the day. I needed ice-cream and a stupid movie so I twisted Neil’s arm for Red 2 and Ben & Jerry’s.
And then, at the pub, Neil dumped a beer on me. By accident. I called him a sonofabitch. Maybe not by accident, but with all the love in the world. Because it was refreshing.
I planned to write when we got home, but found myself reading crime fiction set in Iceland instead.
I figure now is a good time to talk about avoidance. Or something. See, I have issues. Or at least one. The others I’ve been to therapy for. And then I graduated. From therapy. One issue left. Maybe.
See all those plans to write? All those incomplete sentences in half finished, but nonetheless colour-coded notebooks? See that new-found fondness for Subway Surfers? Yeah. Best laid plans of writers and Lorn.
The issue of the issue, or the thing I tell myself to make it OK, or not, is that if it sounds like writing, I stop doing it. If my characters stop talking to me, I don’t put words in their mouths. If the story stops playing out like a movie in my head, I change the channel.
The next idea is going to be THE ONE book I finish. The next app I find is going to be THE ONE that leads me to THE END. And then another one.
And then I get the bright spark that if I smush plot 5 with character 68 and story arc 20-never, I’ll get something new. And I just shuffle stuff about and don’t actually write anything new. Except that thing about thunderstorms.
Yesterday, while sitting in Starbucks with a coffee and without a notebook, Neil asks me to tell him a story.
‘Oh, y’know. Mother issues. Sibling issues. And a goldfish. Discuss. Maybe.’
You’d think it would be be easy for me to sit on my ass and write. But I need to do laps around my house. And organise my sock drawer.
Maybe I should write about socks. Is there an app for that?
Do you believe in writer’s block? What do you do about it? Next time, add a goldfish and see what happens!
Bubble Eye Goldfish (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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20 Comments
How fortuitous: the traditional gift for a third blog-iversary is a goldfish! Happy #3.
Thanks, Hippie! I was just thinking yesterday, it’s hard to believe the Oma visited all the way last year ago.
Once you decide what you really want to say, you won’t be able to stop writing. Been there…
Maybe, but I think another issue is I might have too much to say.
My point, exactly! 🙂
Maybe it’s not writer’s block. Maybe it’s fear of judgement. Maybe you should let us decide. Maybe you’d be surprised.
I got over that one, too. Saying that, any pointers for lack of focus, beyond turning off the internet? 🙂
A glass of wine and a foot massage helps me. If that’s not on the menu, a double espresso and a locked door works, too. Or you can check out my review today of this amazing blogging tips guide I found hidden on my desk.
Wine gives me heartburn. The other stuff is useful!
Yeah, been there. I’ll have to try the goldfish.
I’d also suggest a penguin.
Lorna, as always, your post leaves me in giggles. Would you believe the way I deal with writer’s block is by not writing? ha! Yep. If I can’t find inspiration, I do nothing. Other times, when I realize it’s been quite a while since I’ve posted, I go on a walk, or I people watch. I find human dynamics to be excellent blog fodder! Although now that you mention the goldfish, I might try that the next time! hee hee! 🙂
Bella, I’ve missed you. Must catch up!
Happy Blogiversary!
Have you read Anne Lamott’s essay about shitty first drafts? If not, I can send it to you. Plenty of writers tell me that the fear of writing a really terrible first draft is what keeps them from writing at all.
Of course my issue is procrastination, like right now!
No, but I feel I should, so yes, please! I can send you an email, and I also like real mail that isn’t bills!
I find this to be a very interesting take on writer’s block! I still have yet to figure out how to fix my own writer’s block, usually I go outside, and relax in a spot where there isn’t a lot of people around and just ponder life. I try and relate what’s going on in my own life in relation to the story I try to make. That usually helps me to speed things up. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more!
Yes! For me, I have too much to say. It is more like writer’s cluster f*ck. I have to stop writing too, go do other things I love, then come back. I’m going to try adding goldfish, I’ll report back with my results. 😉
You left out the most important detail. What flavor of Ben and Jerry’s?
The reece’s one and the mint chocolate one. My favourite ones, which I can only find at the movies, so far. That works for me, too!
Happy 3rd anniversary 🙂 Sounds like a busy life 😛