What do you do when life pulls the writing ability out of you?
I sit and stare blankly at my computer screen, trying to come up with something and come up with nothing. I know I have a deadline due, edits to finish and a blog I forgot I was suppose to do, but still nothing. Not to make excuses because writers never really take a break, we always are jotting down new story lines. But today my mind is blank and my fingers are still. So when your ability to create stops what do you do?
I decided to go back to the beginning. Where my writing started, with a dream. See 2 years ago I woke up at 3:30am with such an amazing, vivid story in my mind that I started to write and did not stop until I had the whole thing down. It was such an amazing feeling that I called my mother. She was a writer, always jotting down story ideas, poems, whatever came into her head. She never published anything but that never stopped her from creating. We have folders and notebooks full of her ideas. Today I hold her words close to me.
Life's lessons are the basis for many of our stories. We write about loss, love, heartache and sex. Sometimes lots of sex. : ) But what we do, see, hear and feel are entwined into our words so our stories are, in many ways, a part of who we are. I'm a people watcher. When I"m stuck I go to the mall or a coffee shop. I watch how people walk, interact with each other, their mannerisms. It is the best writers tool. Its just like a scene flashing before you. I have notes of facial features, smiles, hand gestures and different walks.
So when I'm stuck I refer back to my notes, or my mothers words. I find the answers I am looking for or the direction I need to go. And if that doesn't work I go back to the mall. : )
Today was a day of happiness and sorrow for me. I held my mothers hand while she passed on to heaven. Her notebooks of stories will stay wrapped around me and keep me warm, giving me strength during moments when I stare blankly at a bright, empty screen. But I also received my cover for my new release. Rescued from the Dark. A story my mother read and loved and knew would get published some day. Today I get to see my dream and so did she.
So if you find yourself sitting blankly in front of your computer take a deep breath and don't panic, just do what I do...go shopping, just don't forget your notebook. : )
Until next time.
Lynda
Writing is my passion, Reading is my Love.
6 comments:
So sorry for your loss. It must have been great toshare your writing with your mother and have her words fortify you when you need that extra motivation.
So sorry for your loss. It must have been great toshare your writing with your mother and have her words fortify you when you need that extra motivation.
Such inspirational words. Thank you for sharing them.
Very sorry for your loss.
You touched upon a subject, so many of us feel. For me, I haven't been able to get into editing my own work. The writing is coming easier than the editing!
I'm sorry, Lynda. It's so hard to keep going when tragedy hits. For some, writing during these times brings them release from sorrow. But, for others, it's so hard to push through it and get those words down. I believe the heart-wrenching things that happen brings depth to our writing.
Lynda...I'm very late to comment, but so glad I came by. I'm truly sorry for your loss.
Your words are quite a tribute to your writing mother:) Fun to share and get feed back.
Writing to my mom through my journal still gets me that input I've grown used to receiving from her:)
Congratulations on Rescued from the Dark - I love the cover - nice post!
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