This one is going to be short, people. A little bit of writer's block, a snow storm, and some tropical music are my inspirations for the evening.
Actually, the reason I am writing the blog right now is because it is easier to babble with no real purpose than try and break through the writer's block I have been facing for the past three hours. I am trying to flesh out chapter 4 of The Field Trip, my time-travel romance into Scotland, but clearly, the train or plane or whatever corny metaphor you want to use has left without me. However, Anne Lamott, fabulous writer and best-selling author of Bird by Bird, states that when a writer faces this terrible inpediment, the mere act of babbling is a good thing. She wrote this in the book, and since I have made it my writer's bible, I am justifying what others might call ADD action.
Here is a list of what I have done so far in the past 3 hours. I leave it here as a comfort to other writers who feel the mental creativity dry up every now and again. You are not alone - and if you have any tips in overcoming, please share!
My List:
- Diligently opened up "chapter 4" to stare at the screen for 10 minutes, fingers poised on the keyboard
- Telepathically willed my cell-phone to ring so that I could have a good excuse to leave my computer screen. Nobody called. I feel like a friendless loser. Maybe J.D. Salinger isn't a hermit by choice but because his friends never call when he needs them to.
- Mind wandering to any and all thoughts not pertaining to "chapter 4."
- Looked at pictures of family and friends on Facebook.
- Went back to "chapter 4" only to write a sentence and violenty attack the "delete" button.
- Watched Food Network's The Iron Chef - Cat Cora won, and the secret ingredient was milk/cream.
- Rummaged through the freezer for some vanilla frozen yogurt and real ice cream for the hubby.
- Made a list of things to do tomorrow, plus added "work out extra ten minutes to work off yogurt calories."
- Tried "chapter 4" one more time. Severe anxiety and frustration crept into my mind.
- Came to my blog for random writing.
- Turned on some good Bossa Nova, (think The Girl from Ipanema) and decided Life is okay again. Who can't feel happy with a Brazilian beat in the background?
So yeah, there you have it. I know I will have a flood of thoughts for "chapter 4" right before my head hits the pillow tonight, as is the usual case. Which is when, as the wonderful Ms. Lamott suggested and that I have taken to heart, I pull out my little note pad in my night-stand drawer and write the thoughts down before I can forget them. Then I kiss the husband goodnight and will hopefully fall into peaceful sleep.