Writer's Block!
By Jackie King
“Writer’s Block: When your imaginary friends won’t come out and play with you.”
I laughed at this post on FaceBook; then I frowned. Something wasn’t quite right, but I was in a bad mood, and therefore perhaps, a poor judge.
Finishing my second Grace Cassidy mystery seemed impossible, and I was at that point where I’d decided the book was unsalvageable. The plot wouldn’t come together, the characters seemed wooden, and each keystroke was forced. I’m not ever going to be able to write another book, I thought. Despair swept through me.
Then some small voice from deep inside said (my belief is this whisper comes from God), “Buck up, pour some glue in the chair and sit down. You’ve been here before.”
These were true words and I knew it. I also knew the reason I was in such angst, panic and immobility was because I’d let other things get in the way of my writing every day. My imaginary friends had become sulky and now were refusing to come out to play. (Light bulb moment!)
I resolved then and there, that whether my writing went well or felt like slogging through almost-set concrete, I’d show up to play with these friends, come hell or high water. (Okie speak.)
This resolution meant I had to learn to say two words, “Wait” and “No.” Both are hard for me, since I’m a natural born people-pleaser, but I’m learning. And guess what? The next book in my Bed & Breakfast Inn-sitter series is coming together! Oh the miracle of creative thought.
So I revised the lead quote:
“Writer’s Block: When you don’t show up to play with your imaginary friends and they get even by refusing to speak.” (Or is that Writer’ Lazy Butt?)
Hugs,
Jackie King
Author of The Inconvenient Corpse
http://amzn.to/gMv7CH Link to Amazon Kindle
http://bit.ly/fovbLR Link to B&N Nook
Jackie King is a pal of mine and an excellent author and hard worker. She knows what it takes to grind out page after page until a novel is born. If you aren't already a fan of hers, please do yourself a favor and buy one of her books. You will be delighted!