Oh So Simpatico!

Have you ever sat at your computer and simply stared at the screen, desperately hoping for a magnificent story to magically appear in front of your very eyes?  Then you, my friend, have suffered from the bane of a writer?s existence:  Writer?s Block.

We can poke fun at it, but writer?s block is serious business and can mean the difference between writing that great story/novel, and shutting down the computer in frustration and calling it a day.  Here are a few tidbits that might get you jumping in the ?write? direction:

Brainstorming

Sit down with a pencil and a piece of paper (or, of course, use your computer), and just start writing whatever comes to mind.  Words; phrases; whatever.  Next, start building around these words and phrases with associated ideas.  This is how I started writing a short story that took me a total of 90 minutes to draft, edit and finalize.  The story eventually received 2nd place honors in a writing competition.  Curious as to what that one word was?  ?Moxie? ? and the story was ?Sweet Innocence? (click HERE to read the story).

Get creative and experiment!

Perhaps you?re in a rut: writing in the same place, at the same time everyday.  Shake things up a little.  Instead of sitting at your computer in your home office, grab that laptop and head to a coffee shop or the park.  Or better yet, leave the computer at home and write the old fashioned way?pen and paper.

Outlining

Create a simple outline to help clarify your thoughts.  It doesn?t have to be super structured and formal; just something that states what you want your subject to be.  It may not seem like much, but it?s a start.  And once you start, sometimes the ideas just flow freely.

Write about what you know

Have your heart set on a story about being stuffed inside of a spaceship and shot into space?  Have you ever been shot into space?  Chances are, probably not.  While your imagination can go crazy with something like that, it obviously isn?t working for you at that time.  So write about familiar things:  the high school you went to, what it?s like to be single, etc.  Until you can get your creative juices flowing, perhaps go with what you know.  But don?t worry?you?ll hit your creativity streak in no time.

Step away from the computer for a while

Take a break and make yourself a sandwich, go for a jog, call a relative, re-grout your tub tile?whatever gets your mind off of writing temporarily. 

Relax!

Don?t let your fear of a blank page or screen be the end of your writing career.  Take a few cleansing breaths of fresh air?breathe deep!  Jump around for a bit and tell yourself you?re> in charge here, not fear.  You?d be surprised how the anxiety of trying to figure out what to write about can completely block your creativity.  So relax.

Listen to music

Are you into jazz music?  How about love songs and ballads?  Or heavy-hitting heavy metal?  Personally, soothing jazz instrumentals does the trick for me when I?m suffering from writer?s block, but you may be motivated by whatever your own particular musical tastes.

I hope these little gems of information motivate you and help you overcome your writer?s block. 

Bad writing.  It's enough to make your head spin.  We have all probably been guilty of it at one time or another in our writing lives.  So what?s the best way to avoid bad writing?  Read it!

?Bubba, why you going to store and why won?t you take me with you because you know I want to go.?  I said to Bubba.   He ignored me as usual, that?s the type of person him is.  He doesn?t think about me but he wants me to help him in all kindsa stuff.  Because he do not know me really he just think he do.  I walked to the stove; and then I lighted the light under the stove.?

That is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, an absolutely horrible passage.  The spelling, the punctuation, the grammar?it all sounds rather absurd, especially when read aloud.  Did you get that same flush of embarrassment that enveloped me as I wrote this dribble to demonstrate what truly bad writing reads like?  Surely this is not the sort of writing that you want to emulate.  Naturally, you want to avoid this.

You need to develop an excellent ear for what sounds, well, right.  When you know what works, chances are you will begin to emulate it.  This is not to say that you should take poetic license and border on the precariously dangerous verge of plagiarism (think James Frey, ?A Million Little Pieces,? and the public humiliation that was the end result of that fiasco).  Think more along the lines of clarity.  The work should make sense, and not read like it was written by a second grader. 

Recognize great writing for what it is.  Compare it to bad prose and it becomes crystal clear.  No one wants to purposely be guilty of bad writing.  And, more importantly, no one wants to read that very bad writing.  Reading good writing will go a long way in helping you become a better writer.

So you?re all ready to sit down and write a short story.  You have your caffeine infused cup of java to keep you alert.  You?ve suitably cracked your knuckles and given your fingers a thorough stretch for maximum flexibility.  You?ve even strategically placed a six-inch high turkey and cheese hoagie with a side of potato chips on a plate within easy reach.  Are you forgetting anything?  Think hard . . . you want to make sure you?re well prepared. 

Okay.  So what is your short story going to be about? 

That bemused look on your face tells me you haven?t a clue.  Now don?t panic.  This is definitely fixable.  You?re not exactly suffering from writer?s block, but rather a lack of idea as to what to write about.

Here are a few ideas to get you started on a story.  These may seem a bit quirky, but when you keep an open mind and think outside of the proverbial box, you may find that they work for you.

g     g     g     g     g     g

Pick up the phonebook!  If you come across an interesting name or occupation, that could be just the spark you need for a story idea.

It?s a familial thing - listen.  How many times have you heard your Uncle Randy or Grandma Bertha talk about the good old days?  Your relatives have great stories to tell; all you have to do is listen.  You can adapt one of these tall tales to suit your short story.

Pick up the newspaper.  Scanning the local or national news can provide a wealth of real-life accounts that can be translated to a short story.

Think about the people you pass every day?the woman driving on the interstate while applying her makeup, the elderly woman getting her daily exercise walking in the mall, the unkempt gentleman soliciting spare change in front of the grocery store.  Imagine yourself in that person?s shoes, and start writing away.

Open your nostrils wide.  Ever notice how our sense of smell can transport us back in time?  The aroma of fresh baked brownies reminds me of the pathetically ugly brownies I used to try so diligently to bake as a child.  If your olfactory senses hone you in on a specific point in time from your past, write about that.

Flip through old photographs.  This is another way to travel through time.  That picture of your family vacation at the beach, or the cracked and faded photo of you as a first grader sporting cat glasses can generate ideas.

Have a favorite pet?  If you want to get really surreal, write about the day-to-day existence from your pet?s point of view. 

If you?re still at a loss for what to write about, try some of the many electronic story generators found on the web.  Seventh Sanctum (a site of generators to randomly produce concepts, characters, and descriptions for stories), and The Javascript Source (type in your name and gender and have one of over a billion stories generated about you and your adventures) are just a couple.

Well, I warned you these ideas were a bit on the quirky side of life,  But I hope they help!

I was at my favorite Japanese Yakitori restaurant having dinner solo recently ?a ritual that I have come to partake in quite often as of late?and reading one of the local news rags, when a younger couple walked in and sat at the table directly in front of me.  I had a clear view of the young woman with her ample bosom that seemed far too large for her small frame, short stylish haircut, and dimpled chin.  The young man who sat across from her was suitably lanky, somewhat unkempt, and spoke rather loudly?almost boastful?about his troubled childhood and the fact that his mother was on her third husband.  It was almost as if he wanted everyone in the tiny restaurant to hear him. 

They made a somewhat oddball couple, and it was obvious that it was their first date as the young man was desperately trying to make a lasting impression on her.  She cooed, smiled, and laughed in all the right places, but her behavior spurred my inquisitive thought process.  Considering that he appeared to be the veritable mountain man and she was the consummate city woman, was she merely pretending to be engrossed in his less-than-witty banter?  Was he a last-minute date replacement, merely a vehicle for her to fill her rumbling belly with tasty morsels of yakitori chicken and a delectable morsel of sushi?

And what does all of this have to do with motivating you to write?  Well, right there, nestled among those queries that a nosey person such as myself are dying to know, is a story.  There is no need for me to know how their courtship ends.  As a writer, I call pull the rabbit out of my own hat and have their lives play out on my computer screen.  Will they fall madly in love, have twelve kids, and reside in the quiet confines of the suburbs while she plays host as a Dunwoody soccer mom?  Or perhaps she will tire of his arrogance, smile politely when he asks if she had a good time, and vow silently never to see him again.  The possibilities are endless.

Countless stories are played out around us each and every day.  We just have to be in tune to our surroundings.  What you may believe to be relatively mundane can be magically transformed into fanciful and engaging prose.  You never know?the perfect story could be unfolding at the table right next to you.

When I was a little girl growing up in Seat Pleasant, Maryland, time seemed to drag on at the most annoyingly slow pace.  I wanted to be BIG; the clock wouldn't tick fast enough for me.  I wanted my breasts to sprout.  At that time, it just wasn't happening.  This very well may have been a blessing, however, as a nine year old child with 36C breasts would look a bit ridiculous. Time passed.  I grew up and grew out.  And now, despite my sometimes silent but more often than not vocal protestations, time just will not let up and give me a breather.  Before I knew it months passed.  Then years.  And decades, for crying out loud.

It has been four months since my last motivational post.  Who knew time could fly by so quickly?  In those four months, I've experienced a great deal.  "An Affair to Remember: Bellissimo Italia" was published.  Big yeah for me. 

I realized one of my greatest dreams: I had the unique opportunity to visit Africa.  My destination was Cairo, Egypt, and it was a tremendous experience.  From the temple of Karnak, to the Valley of the Kings (where, might I add, I displayed a bit of the destructive side that I thought I left in my childhood: I accidentally broke the sign outside of King Tut's tomb!), to actually sitting on the great pyramid, to riding a big, smelly camel named Clarence -- it was a lifelong goal accomplished.  And therein lies the fodder for my next writing project.  I will take my time in writing of my recollections of Egypt.  I want this effort to paint a vivid picture of antiquity through my eyes.

My writing is changing and evolving.  I have found it difficult to write strictly from my imagination.  This, however, will not deter me from creating.  For the time being, I have decided to focus instead on writing about the variety of encounters that I experience throughout my days, as I have done with Italy and am currently doing with Cairo.  And perhaps soon, a short story will develop based on my recent trip to Memphis.  Aaah, what a colorful city that was.

Life can be our greatest teacher and our most vibrant narrator.  So for now, I will graciously allow my life to be the storyteller that gives birth to experiences.  At least then I am assured that the well of ideas will never run dry.

Writing is such an art.  Stringing together the words that can convey an emotion, bring to mind a visual image, allow the reader to feel what is being said?these elements, and more, can bring mere words on a page to life.

My last motivational thought was posted in October, 2007.  I am still struggling with the writing process.  My creativity has been galvanized somewhat with the completion of my Italian vacation travelogue.  However, true writing (that borne from my imagination, and not the recounting of an adventure) has eluded me thus far.  I?m attempting to get that spirit back.  It is a process.

Of course, I still think of my mother often.  I try so hard to write because I think it is what she would want me to do.  So I begin to write.  And then I begin to think of her.  It halts my writing.  This isn?t altogether bad; I cherish the memories of my mother.  But my emotions are still too tied up in grief to try and write through that.  One of these days, it will get better for me.  I don?t know when that will be.  I?m trying to move forward.  I?m thinking again of writing short stories for the plethora of writing competitions out there.  Even as I have this thought, I feel the stirrings of creativity.

Sad to say, I have all but abandoned the writing group that I joined last fall.  But this was done for so many reason?many of which revolved around my lack of attention and desire to write.  And at that time, being surrounded by people prodding me to write would have done more to anger me than drive me forward.  Maybe a group setting is not what is needed for me at this time.  But that?s okay.  Encouragement is fine; but in time, the right kind of encouragement will do for me what no group of people can ever do.

I look forward to the day when my fingers will once again fly across my keyboard with reckless abandon as the bits and pieces of creativity flow from my head.  This motivational thought is a start.  I believe I will be okay.  But wish me luck just in case.

Until then, continue to write.

It has been quite a while since I posted a motivational thought.  Sometimes life just gets in the way.  As much as I may chant my mantra ?A Writer Writes . . . Always!? there comes a time when everyone stumbles, falls, and doesn?t have the energy to get back up.

I fell down, and I?m still not sure when I can fully stand.

A large part of my motivation for writing stems from the confidence and belief that those close to me have in my abilities.  Whenever I scored a first place prize in a writing competition, my mom would be the first person I would call to share the news.  Whenever my excitement grew about a new story I was working on, or a major turn in my novel, I would bend my mom?s ear.  Hell, if I stubbed my toe on the edge of my bed in the middle of the night, you can bet I would tell my mom about it.

In July of this year, just three days after my birthday, my mom passed away unexpectedly.  With her loss went so many reasons for me to get out of bed and even contemplate writing.  Different people deal with grief in many different ways.  Losing a loved one has, for me, sucked so much energy from me?physically and emotionally.

There are many books on the market about writing through the pain, allowing the words to be cathartic, etc.  However, for the first time in my life, I am allowing my emotions to keep me from writing.  And I believe I have every right.  I am not wallowing in depression; I am merely grieving for the woman who gave life to me.  Day in and day out, I can tell others to ?keep writing,? ?don?t stop,? and ?never let anything stop you from writing if it?s really what you want to do.?  However, today I can?t take my own advice.

It will take time for my creative juices to flow the way they did a year ago.  In the meantime, I will take it one day at a time.  Today I can write a sentence.  Tomorrow it may be a paragraph.  Next week perhaps it will be an entire short story.  And so on and so on.  But I did take a very positive step in regaining my writer?s stride:  I joined a small but dedicated group of writers who are serious about their craft; more specifically, the art of novel writing.  Perhaps this group will be the catalyst for my creativity.  

Baby steps.  I?ll get there.

Stay strong, and continue to write.

From time to time, I come across great quotes that inspire me to be the best writer that I can be.  Sometimes being motivated is not as easy as it sounds ? you have to be open to receiving the message that is given, and embrace that stirring feeling in the pit of your stomach.  I decided to dedicate this installment of Motivational Corner to selected quotes that have inspired me, and hopefully they will move you to the point of action.   

"One extends one's limits only by exceeding them."

      - M. Scott Peck

I learned that if you want to make it bad enough, no matter how bad it is, you can make it.

      - Gale Sayers

Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

      - Theodore Roosevelt

People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.

      - Dale Carnegie

"If you wish to be a writer, write."

      - Epictetus

You must either modify your dreams or magnify your skills.

      - Jim Rohn

So long as there is breath in me, that long I will persist. For now I know one of the greatest principles on success; if I persist long enough I will win.

      - Og Mandino

 Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.

      - Spanish proverb

Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so.

      - Belva Davis

 Inspiration never arrived when you were searching for it.

      - Lisa Alther

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

      - Jim Ryun

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.

      - Zig Ziglar

If you're going to be thinking, you may as well think big.

      - Donald Trump

People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.

      - Andrew Carnegie

It's simply a matter of doing what you do best and not worrying about what the other fellow is going to do.

      - John R. Amos

People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.

      - Norman Vincent Peale

If you can DREAM it, you can DO it.

      - Walt Disney

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.

      - Henry David Thoreau

"Get up from your desk and wander outside occasionally. To be a good writer one needs to be a good observer, and there isn't a lot to be observed at desk level."

      - Jane Yolen

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.

      - Robert Collier

Never go backward. Attempt, and do it with all your might. Determination is power.

      - Charles Simmons

If the reader doesn't understand what you're saying, you're talking to yourself.

      - Nigel Hamilton

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

      - Roald Dahl

Do you sometimes feel like you?re the only one singing your praises as a writer?  You know you?ve got skills.  So why doesn?t everyone else see it?  What in the world is wrong with each and every publisher, editor, agent or contest judging panel that you?ve contacted?  Don?t they know talent when they read it?!?  I too have felt this way before.  There have been seasons in my life where it seemed that no one else could appreciate what I thought were some of the best words strung together in a sentence since the beginning of mankind.  Of course I exaggerate, but I believe you may have an idea of the point that I?m trying to make.  And in case it has escaped you, it is merely this:  I think I?m all that, and then some!

Of course it is okay to have a healthy respect for ones? own works.  And it is even okay to entertain the idea that you?re the best writer that you know.  But where does the line of pipe dream and reality become so blurred that you can?t differentiate between the two?

Some time ago, I had a thought-provoking conversation with boyfriend that galvanized me and stirred up feelings in me that I did not realize were inherent.  After hearing about my dreams of being a full-fledged paid writer, and reading some of my works (and yes, he sings my praises as a writer), he stated in a matter-of-fact manner ?You should do something with this; you should get this published.?  It was a simple statement, but I knew what it meant.  And without meaning to, he assumed what so many others have done: If you?re so good, why aren?t you published? 

Easier said than done.  But don?t think I haven?t tried.

I carefully explained to him that not being published does not not make me a writer, nor does it mean that I?m not trying.  And for all the perseverance and talent in the world that I may be so bold as to think I have, I can?t force a contest judge, publisher, editor or agent to think any more of me as a writer than what my writing represents.  Writing is so very subjective.  I?ve received a few rejection letters . . . okay, more than a few?enough to wallpaper my entire freakin? basement!  But does that mean that I stop trying?  No.  It means I move on.  And just because progress isn?t being made in the forefront doesn?t mean there isn?t movement in the background.

So to all of my fellow wordsmiths and likeminded lovers of the written word I say this:  Believe in yourself and keep it real.  You can move slow, and those movements can sometimes be unsure; but whatever you do, just keep on moving.  After all . . . no matter what they think, you're still a writer.

It?s finally here?the new year . . . a/k/a 2007!  So glad we all made it through.  The year 2006 was replete with happiness and sorrow, ups and downs, joyful treasures and mournful tears.  Regardless of the circumstances, the year gave us many precious pearls of wisdom to reflect on?in our hearts, in spoken word or on the once stark blankness of a piece of paper.

Life affords us many topics to write about.  The year 2006 provided me with more fodder than I cared to be encumbered with, many of which placed a heavy burden upon my heart.  But there were also occurrences that made my heart burst with the swell of elation.

I dedicate the memory of 2006 to every single occurrence that caused me to pause and reflect, to laugh as I had never laughed before, to cry tears of grief and sorrow, to smile at the simplicity of what life has to offer, and frown at the complexities tightly rolled up inside all of us.  The year was another excuse for me to write of my triumphs and failures, my losses and gains, and all of the aches, pains, struggles and battles that came with it. 

In spite of it all, I overcame.  I can write yet another day.

The time has flown, and 2006 is but a memory now, replaced by the newness of 2007.  Yes, I can look ahead and be eager at what the new year will bring, but I can also look back fondly on the people that mean so much to me:

My mother and father ? I pray for your health, mommy and daddy

My sisters Pat, Pam, Wanda, Sina ? I love you all; take extra special care of yourself, Pat

My grandmother ? I miss you, grandma

Earlie ? Keep your eye on the prize; I?m very proud of you

Eunice ? You?re one of the strongest women I know; I admire that in you

Melody, Nina and Robin ? I feel blessed to have reconnected with my friends of old

Maria ? I truly cherish our friendship

LaTice ? Wherever you are, sweetie, I still love you

In The Mix sistahs ? May 2007 bring continued fellowship

My soulmate ? I know you?re out there; we?ll be brought together in time

Kenji ? What can I say? The love of a ?mommy? for her dog

Take a moment to reflect on what 2006 meant to you, and let the ones you love know of your love.  And maybe, one day, you can write fondly of the memories you shared.

Blessings and Happy New Year