Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh! (to quote Peanuts). What to write about?
Where are all those wonderful ideas, those elegant phrases that run around in my head? Where are they when I need them? Gone, vanished, they’ve abandoned me to the blank page and a blank mind to match.
There’s lots of advice on what to do: go for a walk, do a chore, think about something else, take up another topic.
In fact, it was just this morning, when I was house-cleaning that all those ideas and phrases were so palpable. “I can do this,” I thought, ”I will be powerful and cogent, fluid and witty — just as soon as I finish vacuuming.” Big mistake.
Creativity on demand is an oxymoron. No wonder so many writers — from Coleridge to Hemingway, from Xanadu to Spain (padding a bit here) — have taken to drink and drugs.
The dictionary (when at a loss, resort to the dictionary) defines inspiration as: a) “a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation; b) the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions; c) the act of influencing or suggesting opinions.”
Well I’m in no condition to “communicate sacred revelation.” It would be awfully nice if someone else would communicate some revelation — any revelation, sacred or otherwise — to me. I certainly can’t move an intellect or influence opinions. In my current state, I hardly have an opinion. Do I even have an intellect? And the clock ticks relentlessly toward the deadline.
Just keep writing down the words, the advice says. Just keep writing. Something will happen. (A small miracle, perhaps?) Do the advice givers believe in divine intervention? I’m waiting… Where’s the sacred revelation?
A second dictionary definition of inspiration says: “the act of drawing in; specifically: the drawing of air into the lungs.”
That’s it! It was the vacuum cleaner! All those brilliant ideas, those phrases, the pure poetry that was in my head this morning? Right in front of my nose, under my very feet, they were being inhaled — inspired, one by one — by the vacuum. That deathless prose, those brilliant ideas, the exquisite turns of phrase, all went into the maw of a Mighty Mite suction machine. Along with the dust, the spiders, the crumbs, and the cat hair.
I should have been weeding instead.
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Trina: You're too funny. I think every writer out there struggles with writer's block and everyone has a different cure for it. Standing on your head, changing where you're writing, visiting the bathroom, and waiting until just before deadline to begin writing are a just a few I've heard. I don't think any one tip will work for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe best idea I've come up with is simple: Write something down as soon as you think it. I keep scratch paper at my desk, in my car, and in my purse. Thoughts are fleeting so if I think up something while I'm vacuuming, I scribble myself a note for later. Now if only I could decipher my own handwriting. :)
Right. That's what notebooks are for. When will I learn how easily those ideas flit away. You're right about the handwriting. For a while I kept a notebook by my bed but found that notes written in the dark were undecipherable the next day. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteI remember a story about a musician who would get struck with inspiration at the most inopportune times. Sitting in traffic, for example, and he'd say to his muse, "Can't you see I'm driving?"
ReplyDeleteThis is my problem. I might come up with a fabulous idea when I'm busy at work, so I don't have a chance to write it down. Or, I'll have too big of an idea. I tried to write a post on Friday, but after filling up a page without getting to my real point, I gave up. It's either too much or not enough.
This is why blogging for me is good because you can easily write "through" writer's block. Just keep plugging away-- like you did in this post-- and you'll come to something, because nothing has to be as perfect as it sounds in your head.
ReplyDeleteTrina - You have such a way with words. Even when you write about not knowing what to write about it still comes across as brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI love the story about the musician. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRob -- yes, because blogging is supposed to be informal, there's less pressure, although I still obsess over words, rhythm, etc.
Thanks for the compliments.
Even though it is an old subject, writer's block, I still thought your take on it was erudite and witty. I love your phrase, "I will be powerful and cogent" Well written!
ReplyDeleteYeah, for someone who claims to have writer's block, this is a very well written post!
ReplyDeleteI think Kristen has some good advice: when inspiration hits, write it down asap or you'll lose it.
ReplyDeleteThe comment about handwriting reminded me of a Seinfeld episode where Jerry laughs himself awake from a dream and writes down a "great joke" in the dark. But in the morning, he can't read his handwriting and can't remember what it was.