Into the Fire

There's a point when it actually gets to us authors where we have to talk ourselves off the ledge of either being empty of words or having stacked too many things together to meet a personal goal – and it's not even close to working. The advice pictured above is simply a reminder that "something" is better than nothing although many of us would be hard-pressed to believe that something randomly thrown onto a page will be worth anything of value. We want to be "in the flow" where few things can distract us from a scene or dialogue – where everything's working and we're smiling as our fingers hit the keys as fast as we're able. 

But then we hit a wall. A lapse. The time tick-tocks away with no words, and this unsettled feeling encroaches on our peaceful assurance that it's just a break. We needed it after all. Right? Well, all the little justifications for that break don't work for long. And, although we're itching to get back to it, we seem to have this compelling drive to do anything else but write. 

Sometimes, it really is the fact that we need to take a break, freshen up, reread, and overall relax. That story isn't going anywhere without us and we'll get back to it shortly. Other times, we just need to use what little discipline we have and stare at the screen until we type a few words to get going again. 

Or we can write blog posts like this hoping it will inspire other authors to share their grievances in the creative process . . . Anyone? . . .

Father, you know exactly what's going on even when I don't. Help me to do what you have for me to do. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.