Confession

[Marzipan]

I don't think you're alone. I know I go through phases. I'll want to draw for a while, and then I'll cringe at it for months. I'll write ferociously for a week, and then let it lay there. Back and forth, back and forth.

[ann]

You are not alone. Staying connected here might give you the urge more than if you never came at all

[Marly]

You mean not everyone spends every waking minute writing??  I’m feeling very alone right now…

I also had a big lull, when I had my youngest three children—in three years.  Not much time for writing then!  I’ve also had times when my writing has been off and on, but I’ve made it the habit now to write every day.  Someone recently told me that forming new habits is more effective than trying to be disciplined.  Still processing that statement, but it sort of makes sense.

So, nuthin’ wrong with you!  Either you write or you don’t.  You get better at writing or you don’t get better at writing.  (Wow, so cheery first thing in the morning.  I’m not always like this.)

If you need inspiration you can always pop in here, as Ann and Liz suggested.  We’ll be more than happy to help.  Like I’ll tell you to plant yourself at your desk with a cup of coffee and write the best romance of all time…  

[Brandon]

Rewriting is writing.  Besides, my writing has never been at a publishable level, but my rewriting has been many times over.

[Voca]

You are definitely not alone, MBJ. For me it was mentor-withdrawal symptom (MWS) when my BIP course ended. But I nudged myself over that one.

The thing is, the longer it continues, the harder it is, I suspect, to re-establish your writing routine. I started by re-working things I had done for the course.

Then I used some tools from WD. Then a few minor acceptances gave me a boost.

I severely regulated my schedule. (Omitting all things non-essential to furthering the writing.) In truth I only survived this for 3 weeks (when the laundry pile had become too high.) But it was enough. It worked.

This last, the schedule thing, was the most useful, for by then I was on a regular writing schedule. Whew! It took a while. (And I know it's not the only hurdle I'm going to jump, being rather new at this craft.)

Keept trying different methods. (Reading Pressfield was very helpful to me. Especially when the old Beast of Resistance attacks.)

Voca

[Marcy]

Yeah...  Lulls and I are familiars....

[mbj451]

Thanks. You guys rule. And Lizbeth you're funny--I think we could hang out. Unless you're one of those Yankees.

Seriously, I want to write a story or play or something more, about adults with mental and physical handicaps who live in group homes and attend school or work in supervised jobs. My  "vision" is an ironic comedy.

I used to drive for a school like this and I met some amazing people. I still transport some of these people on my city route.

My problem is--How do I write about these fantastic, warm, generous, and funny people without making fun of them?

These people changed my life and made me a better person. I want to immortalize them, but I'm very afraid of hurting or offending them or others like them.

I know the answer is inside me, but I have yet to find the way. Help?