My People,
I’m gone fishing, in case you’ve wondered. My psyche needed some air and put up a sign. Experience has taught me to listen.
One day, hard-wired to my laptop in the café, the writing stopped. My eyes blinked at the screen, only to discover there was nothing to say.
Rat-tat-tat! Militant fingers soldiered on, castigating, violating the keys, but my essence was nowhere to be found. Like the wind through the trees, it was gone.
I hear a word.
Try.
The voice thumps in my ears, try, try, try.
Is it the work, its hidden layers prodding me? Is it the need to express? Or the desire to botox my self-worth and succeed, succeed, succeed? I have always felt a little lost without a story to tell, and suddenly, with all my might, I refuse.
My pal Joe the hugger puts down his coffee and opens his arms. Stop trying, he smiles, just be what is.
No pressure is a dream. No twitching, thrashing, wrecking words. No more blame or shame. Oh, my tender, voluptuous heart. The screen glows blankly, as the tip of my third finger hits delete.
Like life and death, the creative process is a beautiful mystery. I grow older, peace comes more naturally.
Inspiration by my girl Rashmi and her epic hair. My photos.
Some more of my musings about writing:
How to Stop Smoking and Keep Writing
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GOOD NEWS FLASH: You may have noticed here and on social media that I am an ardent #BernieSanders supporter. His spectacular rise on the political scene is a sign of vital change to come. I am deeply moved by the work ethic of his supporters, particularly the young, and by what they are bringing to the process. Like their mentor Bernie, I believe in the power of people to do good. I believe in miracles, too.
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19 Responses to How to Stop Writing
I read Elizabeth Gilbert’s (author of Eat, Pray, Love fame) “Big Magic” on the creative process and learned so much on this mysterious energy called inspiration. I think you will love it too…
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I admire her a lot and will read with interest!
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I hear what you’re saying. I’m probably sorta there with you— staring at the screen, feeling like someone pulled the floor out from under me— although I haven’t yet decided what it is. I might be stopping but I might be just shifting. It makes it easier knowing someone else is feeling this, Brenda. Thanks for this! xoox
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Shifting, resting, restoring, all of it! xo
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Shifting, yes.
Tomorrow I have an art opening of tiny prints that look like the inside out version of the crisp clear things I usually show the world. And so the words, they’ve marched away. Perhaps there is a beautiful visual version that will scream out when the words go underground for you as well? My fingers are crossed (even the third one that hits delete, tap, tap, tap.)
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Does the form matter so much? As long as the story is told. xo
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Bravo for the show!
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This must be a new experience for you.
The words, they come and then they don’t. And then they do again.
Anne
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I’m counting on it. Thanks, Anne.
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I did wonder where you’d gone. I had to cut back my blogging schedule because my real life needed a bit more of me. No regrets. Well, a few, but I’m ignoring them. Writing will call you back, I’m guessing.
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No regrets and you guess right. Thanks, Ellen.
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i feel for you my sweet brenda, but i know with time you’ll get back to it. you always do. love mom
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Thanks, Mom! You know my number. xo
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I’m with you. I haven’t written much on a couple of months. I’ve stared out the window at the willow, pulled weeds in the garden. And actually and completely finished two books. I’ve also cleaned house. And then stared put the window at the willow. LoL. Sounds like the not writing has hit several of us.
Fallow. That’s the word that comes up for me.
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as in finished reading two books..
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Fallow is a serious word, to be respected. I wonder what richness will come of it?
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Epic hair is right!
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Hmmm thought provoking. Also checkout my blog “Building Bridges” between East and West https://bridge920.wordpress.com/
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[…] more of my musing about writing, read A Writer is Born, How to Stop Smoking and Keep Writing, How to Stop Writing, and On […]
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