-David Sedaris
As a writer, I have been struggling against the mundane. My life has settled into a predictable daily rhythm that varies very little. Take care of the kids, cook, clean, spend time on the computer, do the laundry. Last year was very difficult for me, a huge struggle climbing out of the abyss of depression and pain that I had dug myself into. And it made for a lot of writing fodder. Now I am happy and I don't know what to write about.
It shouldn't be like this as life in and of itself is a remarkable journey. The joy of waking in the morning and looking at my husband, of watching my children sleep, of sitting with Will and having a toddler conversation, these are moment writing writing about, preserving. This is now my challenge. To not need Sylvia Plath like sadness to reflect upon, but the normal moments of everyday.
Since I am having a bit of trouble finding my writing groove, I am using "The Pocket Muse" by Monica Wood to aid me in my writing (that's where the quote above came from). I am also making a goal of posting at least twice a week, but hopefully more. If you like, you can use these writing prompts to help you post, as I'm sure I'm not the only person who suffers from writing block, and I know I'm not the only gal out there who is also living a relatively boring life.
So what are you struggling with in your writing life? Are there mundane events in your life that on the surface seem unremarkable but upon further inspection actually have their own magic?
10 comments:
My frustration comes from...how do I put into words what is in my heart...
I have so much to say, but I go through trauma when I try to put it down...LOL
maybe i can suggest a blog too - gigi at "the magpie's fancy" is doing a friday series on writing.
http://themagpiesfancy.blogspot.com/
i love her blog you might could find somethings there too.
but i understand, my most read blogs are not my everyday ramblings but instead when i'm struggling.
I've got a wicked case of the winter blahs - every day feels just like the one before. Worst of all I just can't motivate myself to do anything out of the ordinary - I think it just part of this time of year.
I actually write best when I feel happy. But life circumstances do interfere with my writing, and I find it easy to procrastinate, to self critique, and to give priority to other things.
I have found though, that to sit before the blank page, and just write whatever occurs to me, helps. Sometimes this leads to productive writing.
My biggest struggle, with everything really is finding the time. I'm SO busy with work and the kids and family and other obligations, I can't always find the time to create, to write and do the things I'm passionate about. But I try to get it in...every chance I get.
I'm not necessarily struggling with my writing as I am my photography. Jamie and I had a brief conversation about how winter is just making us feel blah. I'm shooting and I'm writing but I feel a bit disconnected this week.
you know, I'm finding that many creatives around me are experiencing a time of stillness and idle hands. I believe that there's a time for everything, and stillness is necessary for renewal. For myself, it's a fight, not a struggle, but a fight, to keep going and stay on track, towards light. To be still and accept it is one of the hardest things for us to learn. Stillness is just as much a part of who we are as is our creativity. The ebb and flow.
Namaste.
I really think we all go through seasons of dormancy and productiveness. On the other hand, I find that the more I write the more I find to write about. There are several blogging writer's workshops out there, one I know of is Mama Kat's of Mama Kat's Losing It.com.
Hello little sparrow,
this is a bit of a nifty space you've got here!
I enjoy the photo-goodness you have on display!
Happy blogging you! x x x
This is something that I was just thinking about. You just inspired a blog post! I was just pondering this issue today- and I didn't think that I was good enough for a post. Thanks for the encouragement!
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