Another Disappointing NaNoWriMo Word Count

I just can't make myself do it. I feel terrible. The only reason I'm writing this is to vent. I'm so sick of being sick. Make it end! I want to write again.

Writer's Block

I have it! I did a million and 1 things today, but when I sat down to write, all I could do is stare. I have three story lines going and a fourth I left hanging earlier and I'm completely blocked. I've got nothing - bupkiss. I know where I'm going with the most recent story line, but the style I've been writing in sort of requires a switch to another storyline at this point. That's why I'm stuck. I suppose it may be time to introduce another character. I have three more to go before the book can be finished, maybe four. I've already got over 200 pages. I'm telling you, it's going to be too big. I may have to break it up into two books. Once I have it written, I'll know better. So, wish me luck and send the inspiration fairies my way. Thanks!

As for ZeitGeist, I think part of the mood of the times at least is fearful because of the economy. I can't tell you how many times I work and rework my budget. I'm obsessive about it. I just have to see the figures on paper, or excel in my case. What do you think about the economy?

Christmas Shopping and the Almighty Budget

Well, naturally I missed the Friday sales because I was on the road. Probably a good thing in the long run. But now I have to try to find other sales to get something decent for my kids. The rest of the family is getting cookies. lol. I have these beautiful tins I bought on like 90% off, so that's covered. Now I just have to make the cookies.

Oh, and did I mention my son's birthday is only a few days from Christmas? Isn't that just peachy? I don't even really know what he wants. I've gotten him an 8 GB jump drive (USB drive) and I need to get him a mouse, but those aren't that exciting. I think there may be a concert coming to town soon. I need to check on that. The big ones usually skip us. I'm not making a cake this year. I'm making him two pecan pies. One to hoarde and one to share. He loves pecan pie. Might as well give him what he wants, right. What he really needs is a pair of shoes. But at 13 1/2 you can imagine what they cost and how hard it is to find a decent pair. He'd really be mad if I called it one of his birthday presents - darn!

I started decorating outside yesterday and I'm so proud of me! Unfortunately, I hammered my thumb a little more than the little nails I was using to hang the decorations on the brick mailbox. Oh well. I got them up. That's what counts. Right? Now for the hard part. I have to start putting out the decorations with lights. So far, it's just been wreaths and topiaries and what not. Now, I'm going to get serious.

And, I'm going to do some writing too.

Writer's Block - Literally

I didn't get to write a word on my book yesterday and it nearly killed me! My son's computer was on the fritz and because he takes virtual classes, he had to use mine. I was a mess! I had to take notes in a little notebook about upcoming scenes just to get through the day. Today, as soon as I've dealt with my emails - yuck, I'm going to write til I drop. :-D. I can't wait, so I'm going to get to work.

Writing Again!

I've had two freelance jobs in the last week that have kept me hoppin' and writing! It's been great. The best part is I finally opened up that dusty file with my book in it and started editing again. I got so into it I forgot to eat and had to have cereal at like 10 PM. lol. Then I kept at it until I couldn't see the page any more. If I didn't have other work to do today, I'd be at it right now. I'd forgotten how much I love my characters, my people. They're so real to me. I hope that means they will be real to my readers too. I'm thinking of posting some teasers to see if anyone has anything to say about that. My friend and author of seven, soon to be eight novels, Jason Gehlert, used that method and it worked well for him. In fact, he posted one whole novel once - a chapter at a time as he wrote it. Isn't that cool? You can keep up with Jason and all his work at jasongehllert.blogspot.com. He's got a new novel just coming out called Europa: Rise of the Carnelians. You can find chapters and character bios on his website europa2045.blogspot.com. Jason was also insrumental in getting me through my writer's block. I don't think I put it in my 7 ways to beat writer's block, but talking with other writer's can really help to get you motivated in your own writing. Gotta go, lots of writing to do. Look for those teasers soon.

Writer's Block: A Test of My Creative Abilities

I've just been hired to write product reviews for a comparison shopping website. I've been asked to write articles about various products by discussing some of the benefits and unique features of the product. The problem is the products. Some of them are like, for example "a box of 250 Acco paperclips". Okay, that's not one of them, it's just an example. How do I write, creatively, 250-300 words about a paperclip? I mean, I could do it, but it would be fiction. So, needless to say, I'm struggling. I took this gig on a flat fee - big mistake. I have 10 articles to write and they're going to take way longer than I thought because so many of them deal with tech and I'll have to do research. Of course that helps with my word count. Talk about writer's block. A paperclip? Really.

The Power of a List

Never underestimate the power of a list. I made one last night before I went to bed to detail how I wanted to handle my morning so that I would use my time more efficiently. Well, it worked. My morning couldn't have run more smoothly. Unfortunately, I fell off the list after breakfast. :-). I expect I'll jump right back on as soon as I've finished this post. After all, this is on the list.

In keeping with my declaration yesterday, I'm trying to start my day earlier so that I can accomplish more. So far, it seems to be working. I certainly was up and ready much earlier than normal. Let's see just how far I can travel on motivational speaking. I need to be editing my book. When I start doing that on a regular basis and keeping up with my other work, then I'll know I've made some healthy powerful changes.

Writer's Block is More Than a Loss for Words

I was thinking this afternoon after my second trip to the grocery store and while I was taking my first walk in, well, forever, that writer's block is also about being blocked in other areas of your life. For instance, if you aren't physically healthy, how can your writing be healthy and robust? If you are constantly worried about finances, how can you create a new character? If you are just plain weary, how can you convey energy and zest in your writing? So, I've decided to improve myself in as many areas of my life as I can and see if my writing doesn't also improve. As part of my plan, I went to my storage unit and dug out my copy of Tony Robbins' "Unleash the Power Within" and I'm totally committed to listening to all six CDs. It may sound hokey, but if it will improve my writing, I'm all over it. I know that walk I took was a direct result of being motivated by one of those CDs. I'm willing to bet that healthy habits, for body, mind, and spirit, will make for very healthy writing. Let's find out. Maybe Tony Robbins will become one of my heroes - that is the theme for this month's NaBloPoMo. I think I'll go turn on the CD player for a while.

"Total Recall"

Here's a little snippet I wrote in response to the prompt "total recall" from Reena D's website, Creative Views in the group Writing Everyday . I sometimes write on that site. I have my own page there too.



I had total recall of the events. They were so clear in my mind. What wasn't clear was what had led us to this point. He looked at me, his head turning slowly to take in my face and said, "I don't love you anymore. There's someone else. I want a divorce." I went immediately numb to my toes. I lost all ability to move or speak. I just stood there in stunned silence. My mouth went so dry that my tongue stuck to the roof. Finally, I managed one word, "how?". He didn't answer. He had given all the explanation he planned to give. My husband of twenty three years just handed me the divorce papers he had already had drawn up. I couldn't see the words on the paper; they were all a wet blur. "I'll just leave these with you and pick them up tomorrow. I think you'll find it's a fair allocation of our joint assets," he said cooly as he moved toward the door. I began to shake. Then it hit me. "Someone else'! He had been cheating on me! I spoke very quietly then, "adultery is still a crime in this state. You will hear from my lawyer." He blanched. The final settlement was indeed a fair allocation of joint assets given all of the circumstances once all was said and done, though nothing could give back what had been taken from me. All those years of trust, smashed in an instant. I felt as though someone had driven a tank straight through my gut. To this day, I feel sick and tainted by his infidelity. Will I ever trust again?

Seven Ways to Beat Writer's Block

1. Find a challenge group - many social networks like Gather have them and write to the prompt. It works!

2. Find a writing group in your home town and join it. Preferably the one you choose will share their writing every week so you will be motivated to have something to share yourself.

3. Think of a word or phrase, anything, and challenge yourself. Write a story or a poem or even an article around that word or phrase. Don't think about what you will write when choosing the word - just look around you and pick.

4. Read the headlines and/or the current news. Write about something that raises your blood pressure. It can be a blog, an article or even a fiction story.

5. Enter a contest. This one will really get you going if you're up for it, especially a contest such as the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) or Script Frenzy where you have a fixed length of time to complete your work.

6. Look at a piece of art or a painting and imagine the story being told by it. You could write a story, a poem or even a whole manuscript!

7. Go through your old work and write a sequel, even if that work is a poem you can follow up on the story it was telling or the emotions it was describing.

Now - to take my own advice!

A Creative Black Hole

Like many of you out there, I'm completely blocked. I haven't written anything creative in many months. I'm afraid I've just let life's demands get in the way. My house needs work before I can sell it - which needs to be soon - and I'm home schooling my son. I've begun I feel guilty if I'm not pursuing one or the other of those two endeavors. Hence, no writing is getting done. I even feel guilty doing this now, but I need an outlet - a way to vent my frustration. You see, I have already written a short book, for NaNoWriMo last November, and it's screaming at me to work on it. It needs revision and fleshing out. It's absolutely languishing! Worse, I realize just how long it has been since I have written anything new, original. I did write a couple of stories last month for a man, but the character was his, I just made up the story within his preconceived world.

I haven't written a poem in so long, I'm not sure I remember how. I shut down my popular poetry challenge group to spend more time on the house and I dearly miss it. At least with that I got to read other peoples' creative work once a week. I'm going to have to start writing again soon or things are going to get ugly.