[Wiping Fingers]
22Jan2004 Filed under: Book10 pages of book just fell out of my fingers. I like that feeling, but why does it seem so out of my control? I’ve built my career about being able to turn my writing on and off like a vibrator; being able to write about any topic on command. “Oh, telecom training courses? [clack-clack-clack, ctrl-p] Here you go! Oh, colocation web hosting? [clack-clack-clack, send] Done! Oh, urine testing kits for women with osteoporosis?* [clack-clack-clack] Check, please!”
And yet here I am, trying to tell a story I not only know really well, but one that I’ve told a million times in a million different ways. It’s my damn story! So why does it feel like writing it is totally hit and miss? I like to think I have more of a grasp on my own process, but clearly I have no fucking clue. It sort of hurts to be so typical.
*Totally not making up the urine testing kits.
11 Responses to “[Wiping Fingers]”
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Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
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paisley
January 22nd, 2004 at 9:03 pm
it seems the more emotions/life lived we have attached (memories,hurt,joy-etc.) to something the harder it can be to uproot the damn thing for transplanting .
Be it to canvas,collage, or page.
be patient with yourself and the gift you have (and sistah , you can write!).
Sometimes you don’t own your gift , sometimes it will only find it’s way by dragging you along and then :Bam!: , you’re there..
wishing you well !
sorry to sound so “Hallmarkish”,
im not a writer - lol - thats your job
Harry
January 22nd, 2004 at 9:04 pm
Harder to write a story that’s more personal? Higher standards for the output? Less formulaic then your typical <insert random product here> add?
Seems like there could be a lot of reasons. Definitely understand how it could be annoying though.
donut
January 22nd, 2004 at 9:33 pm
Tell me about it.
Randal
January 23rd, 2004 at 5:17 am
Writing is a skill you are proficient in (clack-clack) while creation is more the energy of the universe (or God, if you will) channeled through you. Our hope as artists is that we’ve developed enough skill so the former can hang when the latter decides to embrace us.
…probably.
paisley
January 23rd, 2004 at 7:52 am
oh randal , lovely truth!! well put
heidi janet
January 23rd, 2004 at 9:45 am
i’ve read, heard and discussed all the many reasons for writer’s block. hell, they even made a snarky movie about it (the muse).
i suspect that as you mature as a writer and raise the bar, it becomes painful and intimidating. you’re not only trying to create, but can be distracted by thoughts of who will read it? who will publish it? will i get a good editor that won’t crush my fragile construction of ideas? hell, who will buy it? and even worse what if everyone hates it?
i’ve heard writers suggest that the only way to get through it, is to keep writing.
so GO! WRITE! because you’re brilliant.
kate
January 23rd, 2004 at 12:31 pm
ariel, can i ask if you have an outline you’re following? that helps me immeasurably. and yeah, just keep on pluggin’. it’s about the only thing that works, sorry to say. but i feel you, i write too, and it’s tough…
Katherine
January 23rd, 2004 at 4:25 pm
amen to that . . . it is harder to write when its your own story . . . but I bet that what you are going through has to do with not having tapped into what you really feel passionate with around what you are writing. Are you trying to shape the writing to fit what your reader might understand or what or how a story should roll out? Why not just pick the things that you really feel juiced about and then just let them fly? The first drafts are about having a flat out blast . . . its the rewrites that will more than likely grind your butt to the bone . . . but you are such a let er rip kinda gal with your blog here that I can’t imagine you not having a good time with any of it
Ariel
January 23rd, 2004 at 6:57 pm
Kate: Yup, I’ve got chapter outlines. And I’m still struggling.
Matt
January 23rd, 2004 at 8:50 pm
It’s 4:50 in the morning. Spent the wee small hours writing, am so proud am still wired. Might get a write-up in the Sunday Times as well. So think of me and wrrrrite.
dani
January 24th, 2004 at 3:12 pm
This entry would be great somewhere, maybe in the intro/prologue/foreword? to your book! Is so true and funny as shit.