At the On the Same Page Literary Festival last fall here in Ashe County, Jill McCorkle told us about the box she keeps in her office. It's her writing stash. The clips and drips of thought that might someday turn into stories - even novels - she deposits in a box of idea treasures. Read More
All the Words and Art Happenings Up in Here
Blocking the Notion of Blocking
May 15, 2010
5 Comments
Comments
May 15, 2010 4:18 AM EDT
...and I'll be there!! Can't wait. This winter I went to the keynote address of a writers conference in San Miguel. Barbara Kingsolver spoke of the same thing. I have a cd of he talk that I'll bring along. It's about the drips along the way of life that eventually lead to a book ... and how she files them away not knowing where they will go. On the other hand I do NOTHING without a deadline -- that's why ordinary things like dinner can be hours late!
- Christie
May 15, 2010 6:44 AM EDT
Chris, maybe I'm blocked, but it's more a problem of conflicting projects. I'm writing for the newspaper (no block there), setting up Quickbooks for 20 small businesses by year end, and trying to organize a large well-promoted craft fair for local vendors July 16-17. I keep telling myself things will get better when the craft fair is over , but then there's I've offered to do 501(c)(3) for two small organizations, one trying to spay-neuter animals on the reservation and the other trying to feed street people and provide meals, household necessities and social activities for low-income elders. Am I blocked? Or do I simply have a priority problem.
- Mary Olive
May 15, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
As long as you're ranting-you're not blocked!
- Chris Arvidson
May 18, 2010 4:58 PM EDT
The problem is just as you say, Chris: getting your butt in the seat and writing something. Sometimes anything is good, just to jumpstart the process. A friend who has written several books says he sometimes just sits there and types any nonsense that comes into his head, and eventually, what he really wants to say will pop up and, whoosh, he's off and running. But even if you try various things and they occasionally don't work, you have at least parked the butt and typed out Something. I've found that the trick is to make writing a steady, constant part of your everyday schedule. It doesn't have to be the same time every day (I dream of having that much discipline), but you can decide that at some point of every day, say, "before 3 o'clock," you're gonna write for X amount of time. Actually, for me, "every day" is a bit much, but definitely 5 days a week. Good luck with it -- the world needs more of your writing, so get off your lazy, good for nothing ass and PRODUCE, DAMN IT! (Sometimes you just have to get that jab to the ribs in order to get going.)
- Lil' Johnny
May 19, 2010 3:00 AM EDT
OK OK - I git it! Damn it. I hate it when other people besides me are right.
- Chris Arvidson