- Image by imjustcreative via Flickr
Hit a wall today. Can’t write. Took me a very long time wrestling with this simple post. Darn writer’s block.
My blogging buddy Roy who has his own bouts with writer’s block, advised me to just write anything down. I always listen to Roy or to anybody with 13 blogs under his belt. It’s a nice rule to have.
Plus he makes perfect sense. But this post is not about how to beat this problem. It’s about what triggered my writer’s block.
Why exactly do I feel I’m in the dumps and unable to write?
Here’s the story. Yesterday everything started particularly well. I was working and still had time to goof off in Twitter. Nice combo huh? Plus George who’s a master at inspiring writers every day had okayed my request for him to loan me “Ka-pow!” for another day or two in my tweets.
You see, I’m not cool with “cool” anymore. So I went scrounging for nice current expressions. You can’t go wrong if you check out George’s blog or Twitter time line. You will always feel a smart man reading his treasure trove of useful writing tips, nice turn of phrases, expressions and buzz words. Any of those can make me feel uber. But “ka-pow!” appeals to the action star in me.
In a more suitable time, I’d upgrade my plan for world domination by following George’s supermodel savvy. Maybe when I can pull off wearing a kilt with aplomb as well as George does. Maybe then. But for now ka-pow! will do.
Superb at the starting blocks
I was at my chirpiest best yesterday. Goofing off in Twitter. Teasing my blogging buddies. Tweeting the funniest, quaintest bio profile in the Twitter time line. You know, stuff like: “I’m formerly known as fungus.” A profile like that never fails to tickle me every time.
But something else caught my eye. There was a new feed from BloggerDad deliciously titled “Farewell to the F Word.”
Guess what. I was there in a heartbeat. Gobbled the post whole, licked my furry paws off and left a comment. Oh boy, was I super or what. I was even the first commenter. Yipeee!
Went back to Twitter to have fun. But something was wrong. Can’t quite place it though. And so I went back to David’s funny post at BloggerDad.
Ka-pow!
And there was the foulest sin you can ever commit against another blog author: calling him by another name. I had just rechristened David as Sean. On top of that, in a failed try to cozy up to David, I had attributed to him a superb post about the proper use of exclamation point written by Sean Platt/WriterDad.
Three strikes in one day. All major veins leading to my brain constricted in horror, but I somehow managed to apologize to David. Of course, I went back to Twitter and issued a rare marching order to my followers to check out David’s fantastic humor piece. If you’ve read my tweet, and got puzzled by its imperial tone, this is the story behind it. It’s just me misusing the power of the Dark Force for my own end. Don’t complain - the Dark Force is there to be misused anyway.
Writer’s block or writer’s black mark?
So that’s my little story yesterday that made me sad and grumpy. Can’t think straight. Can’t write straight. Writer’s block.
Let me leave you then with @seddah’s bio profile. Says he -
“I am a procrastinator. I will now proceed to do nothing.”
Or maybe the other Twitter bio profile is more apt if I just tweak it to read -
“I’m still known as fungus.”
Well, that’s me all right.
So what was your day like the past 24 hours? Does this post remind you of your own battle with writer’s block? Or this calls to mind your own comedy of errors? Please share.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
>:D Come to the Dark Side… *evil grin*
Lucrecio Emerito’s last blog post..A Walk In The Dark—A Poem
Oh, I was the first commenter! But yeah, I followed your marching order yesterday. Didn’t regret it though. That kid was cool
Writer’s block? That I have everyday.
Lucrecio Emerito’s last blog post..A Walk In The Dark—A Poem
Oo nga, pati si Yatot na-intrigued. Saw his comment in David’s post. Hmmp, lesson to learn. Eh ano ba, weeks from now limot na iyon. Unless of course David has a long memory.
Anyway, does my new post show up in your feed now?
Did not. I stayed here. And hit refresh. Again and again. Did I sound tired? :p Seriously, Jan, I did not get your feed. It must be on my end though since others don’t have a problem at all with your feed.
Lucrecio Emerito’s last blog post..A Walk In The Dark—A Poem
Hey Fred- er, Jan, ummm, Robert
That - without a doubt - is one of the most entertaining posts I’ve read in a long time. You pulled a “Seinfeld”, buddy - a post about nothing! Writing about not being able to write, perfect.
Thanks for the kind words, by the way. Also, I think we must be connecting on some deeper level. Many, many years ago I used to hang out on the CB radio. Care to guess my “handle”?
Fungus.
How’s that treat you, my friend?
You have made my day, and it just started!
George
Tumblemoose’s last blog post..7 Things Editors at Children’s Book Publishers Wish Writers Knew
talk about bloopers, hehe…
I don’t think it’s not writer’s block, but your desire to come clean - in a clever way
cases like that makes perfect sense for the terms buddy, bro, mate, ‘tol, ‘pre and the like
in the past 24 hours, aside from a headache is my battle with that evil writer’s block. whenever I have that, I write about it to make it go away.
you know, it’s like when you have something in your throat, you have to cough it out. usually it works, although sometimes it don’t.
if nothing else work, I look at the scheduled amortization of my loan and how much more I still need to raise for the next installment. usually, it does the trick
Roy’s last blog post..Superman
by the way, thanks for the link!
and since you said you’re listening to me… we’re still waiting for your story
Roy’s last blog post..Superman
You know what? You can always write poems. (eviler grin) he he he! Of course, this might not be an appropriate way for you to post in your very cool thesis theme in WP. But, you can always start with a paragraph or two why you are not yourself and decided to write a poem instead.
After all, I am trying to influence you… you are under my spell… if not, well, I’ll keep trying. Toink! It mus be the residual “Matador” in me, that keeps pestering you about my niche. Dude, I know you write beautiful poetry. I can feel it in my bones. I’d ask Roy to second the motion but, right now he must be in a trance and is currently writing a masterpiece.
So, give it a try. write a poem. You’ll love it. Never mind the writer’s block. An alternative post will work too.
Z
Zorlone’s last blog post..Sleep
Hi Jan,
This does not happen to me, thank God. It’s the opposite, I have so many ideas swarming in my mind; I don’t know where to start. he he he..mayabang ano, ganun din pala ang ibig niyang sabihin…
But it’s true, I have so many things I would like to write about like:
Take for example the “what happens..” series:
1. What happens after people die?
2. What happens when I take a nap?
3. What happens when I don’t drink water?
4. What happens inside a psycopath’s mind?
5. What happens when people are insensitive?
6. What happens when I don’t comment on your post?
etc,…..I know you got the drift, or let me shift to the “Top…” series:
1. Top 10 songs I love to listen to (My Ten Top Songs)
2. Top 7 ways to spruce up your blog
3. Top 3 killer diseases in the country
4. Top 10 pet peeves of bloggers
5. Top 5 undesirable traits in a man
6. Jan’s top commenters ( you’ve already written a post about this)
etc….or we can go to the “how to” series:
1. How to lie with aplomb
2. How to skin a potato
3. How to deal with ungrateful people
4. How to put up a theses theme
5. How to twit effectively
6. How to comment at Jan’s blog (on Jan’s post?)
I know, I know… I’m just trying to play along with your “ka-pow” message.
These are still many “series” I would like to write about - the “I dislike it when” …series , “I love it when …” series , etc.
You don’t have to begin with these simple sentences. I know your highly progressive mind could devise more catchy titles.
These examples are just an explanation as to why I don’t run out of ideas.
Difficulty in constructing the first sentence usually stymies my first attempt. But once I hurdle that challenge, then it would be smooth sailing, all the way down stream.
It may not work for you, but it works for me - like a breeze!
Jena Isle’s last blog post..Poets and Poems
Awesome! Do I need this list! I’m not the mayor in this town but while he’s not in yet, I got to reply because I really think it’s cool. Thanks, Jen. Now when will I be having my next post…
Lucrecio Emerito’s last blog post..A Walk In The Dark—A Poem
Yes Luke, I visit your blog twice a day to check. We’re eagerly waiting.
Jena Isle’s last blog post.."The Curse of the Winter Mist" - 20th Story for the Inspirational Book
Don’t sweat it, Jan, people confuse Sean and I all the time. It’s the name thing - Writer Dad and Blogger Dad. I’m hoping to correct the issue by surgically fusing our two bodies together to become one super/dad/blogger/writer/artist/talk show host.
Thank you for coming back to correct it and for the tweet.
You just have to realize that creativity is not a button that works when push ON ,and turn it OFF, and then ON again whenever you want to. But I managed to defeat the writer’s block syndrome. Always carry a little notebook wherever you go, jot down your ideas , and even paragraphs. I read about a blogger who even records his ideas on tape while driving. So when you’re at the dreaded halt sign , you can turn back to your reliable notebook, and can pass through the block. That’s what I always do. I remember somebody asking me if I ran out of ideas ; I said “No,” confidently. The only thing I haven’t controlled yet is my “laziness”—I write down my posts, and then stop in the middle, then come back again after another day, then stop in the middle again, then forget about it. I have about more than 20 unfinished posts in my Control Panel. I get distracted easily , like I’ d say, “I’m getting sleepy now, let me take a nap.” When I wake up, I forget it about a day or two or more….Hehehe!
So if you’re not lazy like me, my tip does really work.
bingkee’s last blog post..PRETTY PREGGIES WEAR PRETTY CLOTHES
I’m glad I don’t experience this right now all because I really don’t think too much about what to post and what not to post. I’m not so picky and I’m glad I have a chopseuy blog that anything goes I don’t have to drain my brain to stick to my niche.
Oh btw, re your questions about my contest, it’s 50/50 personal choice/strength of nominations. Sali ka ha!
earthlingorgeous’s last blog post..Do You Think Your Blog Is Influential?