Word by Word

Last Monday I vowed to go hunting for my wayward muse.  I found her quite easily the first couple of days, but there were times when she proved elusive.  A writer friend mentioned that maybe I need to stop trying to force the words to come, and focus on just writing. She suggested I write about anything that comes to mind instead of spending my writing time struggling to make headway on my novel.

I found a great book titled A Writer's Book of Days: A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life by Judy Reeves.  It's divided into sections, one for each month of the year, but more importantly it gives writing prompts for each day for writing practice. The writing prompts are sometimes general such as "Shadows" and sometimes specific such as "Describe the contents of someone's closet."

While I'm still planning on working on my novel during my regular writing time, I'm looking forward to trying some of the writing prompts later in the evening to try and entice my muse to come back and stay for a while. I'll keep you updated on how things go.

This I know for sure...

It's not always easy to come up with things that I know for sure.  I know a lot of things, trivial things like Anne Boleyn had 6 fingers on one hand, and important things like how to administer CPR.  But knowing what is important or interesting enough to share on this blog is sometimes difficult. 

There are some things I'd like to share but they can be considered hot button issues. The last thing I want to do is unintentionally insult someone so as much as I may want to write about something such as pet ownership and the responsibilities that go with that, I refrain from doing so. I guess I'll have to spend some time taking stock and finding what it is exactly that I know for sure that can be shared.  If you have any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them.

Insert Clever Quip Here

I'm visiting the wonderful Melissa Limoges' blog, Insert Clever Quip Here, today and answering a few quick and fun questions. I'm also giving away a digital copy of "An Unexpected Gift" to one random person who leaves a comment so be sure to stop by.  Link: http://chitsuen.blogspot.com/?zx=7c176a6fc5c21bd3

Finding My Muse

Those of you who follow my blog know I've been struggling for some time to get words on paper.  Not just good words or great words, but any words at all. Someone once said, "you can't revise a blank page."  Truer words have never been spoken.

I've never been a big believer in writer's block. I've always felt if you sit down at the laptop or computer and write anything even if it's garbage you know you're going to delete anyway, the right words will come even if it takes a few writing sessions before that happens. Needless to say, I'm now a big believer in writer's block.

I've had a great deal going on outside my writing life lately that made it hard to even get to the laptop after the day job. It seems my muse decided this was the perfect time to go on vacation and not bother coming back. Starting today, two of the major causes of stress I believe killed any type of creativity I may have been able to muster will be gone. Gone.

This writer's block has gone on far too long. So, today I'm going hunting for my muse. I'm going to find her and bring her back, kicking and screaming if necessary because I'm determined to get back to work spinning stories and dreaming dreams.

This I know for sure...

They say good things come to those who wait.  I wish I knew who "they" are so I can ask them how long is the wait.  I've been patiently, okay sometimes not so patiently, waiting for one particular thing to happen for over 3 years now. (Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm not a very patient person.  I'm not good at waiting -- waiting for things to happen, waiting in line, waiting in the doctor or dentist's office. I'd rather be doing something than just...waiting.) Unfortunately in this situation, I have little or no control over moving things forward so I'm left with just marking time and wishing this particular thing will come soon.

I'm not complaining, just curious how long the wait is.  I did have one good thing I've been wanting to happen for the last 2 months or so happen this week so maybe that 3 year wait is coming to an end soon. Maybe. Hopefully.

What I'm Reading Wednesday

I haven't posted what I've been reading in a few weeks.  I have to admit I haven't been doing a lot of reading either so I haven't had anything to post. I guess it's a good thing I've had guests visiting on Wednesdays recently.

This Wednesday, I'm reading Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke. I haven't started it yet but plan on sitting down and reading at least the first couple of chapters this afternoon. I've read all of the other books in the series and am looking forward to reading this one.