I’ve been stagnant on the writing front lately.
Wet, dark, drippy, puddle stagnant. The kind you avoid stepping in for fear of losing your soul or even a shoe, a high top converse to be exact. Nobody puts [Chuck] in a [puddle].
We lost one of Ave’s pink Chuck Taylor’s last summer; probably on the bus in downtown Cleveland. One moment, a lovely stranger was complimenting her footwear and the next an entire shoe was missing, lost and gone, nowhere to be found and yet I have the lonely sole survivor in her closet.
Why is that?
I broke my Kindle a few weeks ago. I have no idea how, but the screen is suddenly splintered and unreadable. I snagged the Hubby’s machine and put my now defunct reader away. Every so often, I pull open my gray chest of drawers (usually to get my vibrator) and peek in on my lost Kindle, only to find the screen still severed. And still I haven’t thrown it away.
What is that about?
I have no answers today.
Instead I’m stuck in a world of writers block, mismatched song lyrics, and cold brew coffee, which is my way of saying this morning’s leftovers poured over ice, with a splash of maple syrup and a hefty does of almond milk. You should try it some time; it’s fantastic and way cheaper and less racist than Starbucks.
Granted, I still pen my week in review posts, but those are fun and flirty and not really writing, not the kind where I let my phalanges drive the train. Recipe posts don’t count either. Sure they’re tantalizing and tasty, or else I wouldn’t share ’em, but they’re no surrender.
The way I typically write is I get an inkling of an idea, a random thought that strikes my fancy and before I know it, my mind takes over and my fingers cruise the keyboard faster than I can pound out the words. My first pass through is riddled with typos, missing letters, and random phrases because my digits can’t keep up with my brain.
Yeah, that feeling hasn’t happened in awhile.
Probably because the kid and I have been busier than a one armed man in a clapping contest. (Side note: does such an event exist? If so, it’s mean, dammit.) When I’m constantly going, my brain doesn’t have time to recharge, much less create. So I’m left with a mind fart so to speak. A puff of an idea, a burst of air that quickly dissipates and fizzles into nothing, unless you’ve had Chipotle for lunch, in which case it lingers, mostly in your digestive tract.
In any event, a normal person might read this post and opt out of hitting publish. Then again, we all know I’m past normal or at least giving a damn about it. Besides, half the fun is in the process.
It’s where we stretch ourselves, turn puffs of air into literary works of art with a side of black beans and guacamole. It’s where we learn, we fall, we mutter, we mumble, we step, we stumble, and we grow. The end result, the pretty picture, the tidy list is beautiful and boring. The real work happens in the middle.
Now if only I could throw away Ave’s random pink sneaker and my broken Kindle.
Tell me about your writing process.
Love you for this. I wish we lived closer and could have our own little writer’s huddle…and book club…and cooking class.
Jamie@TheMomGene recently posted…Preparing My Son to Be His Own Advocate in Kindergarten
what JS just said….I second and third and fourth it. A) this is a beautiful piece. b) we three need to get together sometime. c) i wanna hear more about what else is in the gray chest of drawers. xx
Now that would be amazing. Great books, tasty eats and wonderful woman company, Sign me up.
We should have a retreat, somewhere in the states, where we all come to meet. I’ll tell you all about the gray chest of drawers then.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
Wow! Perfect post. I could never in a million years come up with the combination of words you so effortlessly put together. Even on your off days (or weeks), you’re still an awesome writer!
Laurie recently posted…York Half Marathon Race Report
Aw well thank you. What a lovely comment, and one that is most appreciated.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
Word. Pardon the choice of it. I’ve fekt like this for years. Once upon a time I wanted to write novels. Here I am unable to write a blog. Everything comes in time. I’m not worried about me and I’m certainly not worried about you my talented one! I enjoy reading anything you put out there so put any word or words you like. I’ll jeep eating them up like your lovely bites 🙂
You’re the best. I miss you and Ms. Lulu Belle.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
At the beginning of this year I felt stuck. I found myself writing because I thought I should rather than being inspired to or actually wanting to. I’ve taken a big step back this year – bar of course your wonderful link up which keeps me feeling connected – and it feels good to have a release. Instead I have found that buzz from talking! I feel so passionate about the podcast and look forward to being able to get my views across in a completely different way.
And when I do write, I smile rather than stress now.
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…Week in Review
I love you’ve become so passionate about the Podcast. It’s a medium I really want to try one day.
It’s funny what you say about the WIR. Some how it’s made me feel connected too because I always post (being the host and all) so I have to make at least a weekly appearance. And there were certainly weeks when Ave was a newborn that I could have walked away. The WIR forced me (in a good way) to stay in the game.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
I honestly don’t know how you find the time to write anything at all with a toddler! I can’t even imagine when I would have figured out a chance to sit in front of a computer back then. sometimes I feel like I’m stuck with waiting until I just start typing. I write in so many directions for work that coming to my blog at times leaves me stuck to find more words.
Nap time mainly and even then it’s dicey. If it wasn’t for the WIR, I would have stepped out of the blogging picture for a while so I’m glad it’s kept me in the game.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
WoW! That was … well I didn’t want it to end. That is all.
Thanks lovely, I appreciate that. Blows kiss.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
I loved reading this! And it hit home!
Last year when I was writing my thesis I couldn’t wait to go back to non-scientific writing. I have a long list of blog post ideas. I have shot about 10 recipes and the pictures all sit in my folders to get posted at some point. Yet I can’t get over my writer’s block. The WIR is easy. It helps me keep up the pretence of being a writer/ blogger somehow. But I know I am nowhere soon at this point. It’s like my thesis has stolen me all words. Even Instagram captions feel like a nightmare and it takes me way too long to come up with just a few characters. Maybe I just need a funny story I want to share to get back in the saddle. Maybe you need more quiet in your life to hear the words in your head again. We shall figure it out. Eventually. Hopefully!
P.S: Throw the kindle away but keep the single shoe!
Juli recently posted…Week in Review – All the good Things
Writing a thesis would have stolen all my words, my creativity, my brain power and my drive.
I’m grateful the WIR keeps me in the game too.
I’ll do it. I’ll throw away the Kindle.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
I am grateful that you were given your talent for writing. Your special and unique talent. And so I’m grateful for any chance you do get, or decide, or feel like sitting down and writing. Queen of metaphor and sassy food for thought. Literally and figuratively. As long as you continue to love it, I hope you continue to share it. Reading these comments has also taken this post to a new place than I was in just after reading it. This community is special – in that we share so much in common. I so love to write, but am also in and out of time to do so or, these days, knowing what it is I actually want to write. Like others have said, your WIR is my saving grace that is now routed in routine and has me at my keyboard at least once a week… which is my favorite time of the week.
Cora recently posted…A Couple Thoughts That Struck Me This Week
Yep, the WIR has been and still is my saving grace. Being the host, I don’t ever opt out really so it keep me in the game so to speak.
Meghan recently posted…On Writing
I’m right there with you! I don’t even want to cook much anymore, though I did force myself to do a massive prep this week. Hoping “fake it til ya make it” will work for me.
I’ll take two of everything you prepped please.
Meghan recently posted…Health Trends I Hate