TO HELL WITH YOU WRITER'S BLOCK!!!

I originally wrote this article last year for my mommy blog when I couldn't think of what to write. But it is so true for all writers (not just bloggers). I think it will hold true for a long time.

The other day I discovered I was suffering from type 2 (see below) writer's block. I could get through any scene in my latest novel, or any blog subject, but I could not write a love scene to save my life. So I came back to this article, I read over my reviews where people said my love scenes were good or well crafted. And I complained to anyone who would listen and give me sympathy. I guess it worked because I wrote a full scene with absolutely no problems a couple days ago.  I'm not so sure it's over yet though. When I finally make it through three easily I will relax a bit.

So, what do you do when you have writer’s block? You write about writer’s block of course!

In all of the time I have been writing there are two kinds of blocks I've run into. Type 1 is where you just plain and simple can’t write anything. Even a subject to write about escapes you. Type 2 is when you have everything you need to put a great piece together but the words just won't come out right.

I guess for me, my latest episode of writer’s block leans more toward Type 1. I had a subject six hours ago when I started working on this blog post but decided early on that it was a subject better left until we know each other a bit better. So I was back to square one. Usually I can pull a subject out of thin air and go with it, but not this time. I sat there for 5.5 hours with nothing. Not one damn idea. Then I started to laugh because it was all so ridiculous that I was sitting there acting like a crazy woman for five and a half hours trying to decide what ideas and words to put on paper.  That is when it hit me, this blog post that I was trying so hard to write would be about the ridiculousness of writer’s block.

I sit there on any given day and think of 20 or 30 different subjects I might want to write about. If I can, I write them down and if not, I pray that I can remember them when I need to.  Then comes time to write, and all of the subjects I wrote down don’t appeal to me anymore so I am stuck trying to pull these other ideas out of my brain which frankly doesn’t work quite as well as it did before I had five kids. Seriously, pregnancy brain never truly disappears, it just morphs into mommy brain. Times five for me which equals MUSH.

Okay, so once I have determined that I have writer’s block, I try to find out why. Am I over stressed? Do I have too many mundane things on my mind? Are the kids bothering me? Am I on a deadline because of an appointment or previous commitment? If one of these applies, then I try to solve the problem. If I can’t, then I try other things. I’ve meditated, prayed and tried a change of scenery. Deep Breathing has sometimes helped too. If all goes well, I start writing and don’t stop until I choose to. If not, it is time to smack my head with my pen, or my cell phone, or my hand. And if that doesn’t work, I give it a break for awhile.

Yes, writers block can be so stressful and I guess smacking myself about the head is a bit extreme, but I’ve known and read about people who have really gone all out to end this awful state of mind.

I heard of one woman who would go bungee jumping or skydiving  to try to cure her block. That is something I would never ever do. Not because I don’t want to do those things (because I do) but because with my luck I would have that best selling idea on the way down and then crash to the earth where the awesome idea would die with me.

I knew someone who would sit in a chair with their legs on the back and their head hanging down to the floor.  I could see where that might make the ideas flow to the brain better, but again I would never do that because I would have that best selling idea and then I would pass out cold never to remember the idea again. Part of my ‘brokenness’ is migraines/sinuses/dizziness and I really don’t need to add to that if at all possible.

Now swimming is a writers block cure that I could get into. For me swimming can cure just about anything that ails me. But then I don’t have a pool, the city/rec center charges way too much, I don’t do bathing suits in public and I don’t have a baby sitter for the little ones on a moments notice. So in the end I will just have to whack myself upside the head in times of blockage emergency and hope that it doesn’t add to the brain mushiness that I have thanks to my five wonderful children.

Until next time…here is wishing you easy recovery from whatever ails you. <3

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JUST A HINT

I've had people ask me if I can give them more hints as to what the book is about.  Well if I told them too many details, that would ruin it for them.  So I have put together a picture collage of items or themes from the book for you to enjoy.  I hope they give you just enough hint to want to read it. :)

EXCERPT CHAPTER - 9

     Mari ordered for Graham and herself and by the time the first appetizer arrived, he still hadn't joined them. She was most of the way done with her salad when she felt a strong hand squeeze her shoulder.
     “Sorry I’m late everybody!” Graham took his seat between his wife and daughter, and lifted his soup spoon. “What’s this?” he asked looking at the appetizer. The spoon went right back on the table and he looked at it curiously.
     “Cold Raspberry soup.” Mari answered. “What’s wrong, does it smell bad? I thought raspberries were your favorite.”
     “They are. It’s just, well, it’s just that the smell of it kind of sent a strange jolt through me and all  I want to do is kiss you now. Why on earth would that happen?” he whispered.
     Mari laughed and grabbed his arm to pull him closer. “I use raspberry scented beauty products, maybe the soup reminded you of me,” she whispered.
     “Oh God, you’re right,” Graham groaned. Mari swore she saw him blushing.
     After a moment of looking at each other and contemplating the meaning of what had just happened, they both laughed.

     Graham pushed the soup aside with a decision to wait for the next course. “If I want to eat something that smells like raspberries, I’ll eat you all up later,” he whispered in her ear. Mari dropped her fork with a loud clank.
     “Please tell me we aren’t having raspberries with the entree too,” he joked.
     “No,” she answered as the waiters set their plates in front of them,. "but maybe you can have some for dessert."

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I'M DONE!!!!

Well folks, I am done with the book. We move on to final editing and layout.  I will keep you updated on details about publishing, cover and other important information.  Thank you everyone for your support and page views! :)

EXCERPT - CHAPTER 8

       Graham kissed her one last time before he pulled her back inside the train. The minute they walked through the door, Jackson noticed her tear streaked face and blazed over.

       Mari jumped between them, putting her hand on Jackson to push him back. “He didn’t make me cry Jackson so just back off.” she demanded.
       “Bull shit! Why is my sister crying, you son of a bitch!”

       “Stop it baby brother! Like I said, you need to back off. It wasn’t Graham, he is not going to hurt me again.”
       Ethan joined them “Come on son. I think Mari’s telling the truth. Why don’t you, Graham and I just calm down and talk. Mari you might want to go to Sarah, she looks a little worried.”
       Jackson took a few deep breaths. “Sorry man, I’ve just seen my sister cry too much because of you,” he offered his hand to shake.
       Graham took the offered hand and sighed. “It’s fine. I can’t argue with you on that one.

**************** 

       “Okay man but if you...” 

      Graham interrupted. “I know, I know, if I hurt her again, you’ll kick my ass. Don’t bother. If I hurt her again you won’t have to worry about kicking my ass. I’ll be dead by my own hand before you even get to me.”

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EXCERPT - CHAPTER 7

     Mari didn’t know who was in more of a hurry to get to the suite, Graham or herself. She'd never walked so fast in her life and by the time he pulled the key card out of his wallet, she was out of breath. Graham on the other hand wasn’t even breathing hard.
     “Why aren’t you out of breath too? We practically ran all the way here.” she asked between deep breaths.
     “I have to keep in shape for my job, you know that sweetheart.”
     A sinful smile spread across her face and she laughed. She was about to find out exactly what shape he was in. Had she ever seen him naked before? Only once in the pool house when they were teens, and he'd been perfect then. She couldn’t even fathom what he would look like now with all of the Coast Guard, Firefighter and Search and Rescue training. And of course, his daily workouts at the gym. The visions of Graham naked did nothing to help regulate her breathing or calm her down.

     “Hey are you okay? The trek up the stairs wasn’t that bad was it?” he had the slightest look of amusement on his face.
     “I’m not so sure it was coming up the stairs that’s driving me wild Graham.” she smiled shyly. “I think it has more to do with the fact that I was imagining you naked,” she whispered.
     “Damn! What the hell are we still doing standing around out here for?” he ground out as he slid the key card in the door. He picked her up and carried her into the room. “Time to get naked, you know, so eventually you can breathe again.”

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THE DAYS WHEN I HATE WRITING

This is one of those rare days when I really don't want to write at all.  I just finished a chapter that I thought was going to be awful and it turns out that I actually really LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Then I start on the next chapter and I just can't concentrate. The baby is fussy and I would rather snuggle her.  She will be 2 soon which means she's not going to want to snuggle much longer (most likely) so I get in the time when I can.

I need to write. I need to have the book ready for final editing by the time my kids have a five day weekend next week so they can help me but it just isn't going to happen.  I still have six or seven more chapters to rewrite/edit.  I crave the work, but I just couldn't tonight.  I had to take a break for the evening. I did not work from eight pm on.

Why did I not want to work today?  Well it wasn't just the fussy baby or the high/low of coming off a fabulous chapter.  It was a mix of many things. I finally didn't have to drive the husband to work everyday so I was thrilled but then I found out that a friend suffered a devastating loss{I love you sweetie!} and then my car broke down so we are back to the one car thing.  Then I found out that we have a huge storm coming and I'm not quite ready for it. Oh and lets not forget that I don't have a comfortable place to work. I don't have a desk right now and can't get one. I can't sit at the table because of my bad hips so that leaves the very uncomfortable couch where I can't spread out and work the way I like to.  Now some of these things are actually stupid reasons to be upset (and a couple aren't) but when you add them all up it comes out to be a 'not wanting to write a word for the book' kind of night for me. I needed a break!

Will tomorrow be any better?  I sure hope so. I hope to finish the chapter I am on and at least half of the next one. If for some reason I can't, I think I will have to do the self diagnosis of writers block.  Because then it will be more than just not wanting to write it will be not being able to write.

I hate days like this.  They really mess up how my brain works. But I really am grateful for the novel I am working on and I will love it again soon.

Until next time...Just go with the flow and if that little voice inside you tells you to take a break, DO IT. Don't stress yourself out or you will just make things worse. <3

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