Writer's block

I'd like to know what the term Writer's Block really means. For some writers the definition is simple. They say it's when they sit with a pen in hand or at the computer, like I do, and nothing comes to mind. How can that be true, though? As far as I know, people always have something, whatever it may be, on their minds. A mind is never really blank. Of course, we can have things drifting through like what we need at the grocery store or whether we have enough time to go there before picking up Johnny from baseball practice, but some thoughts are always there.

True, writers are a different breed. Some want a full outline before beginning to write. But it may work to just sit down and type whatever IS on your mind. That thought, no matter how insignificant, could lead to a story. I avoid using cliches, even in dialogue. That requires effort. Instead, I'm trying to use more original metaphors and similes in my writing, so, I plan to write down random thoughts and see how I can transform them into figures of speech. That should give me a way to use those seemingly useless ideas floating around in my brain.

I also discovered that almost any incident can find a place in a manuscript. Especially the humorous ones that happen to all of us. I generally jot down notes on these on the spot. As soon as possible, I develop them into a couple of paragraphs. Later, I find a home for them in another story. Quite often, they provide comic relief. The serious ones which pop into my subconscious can be more difficult to place. One example was a time I rescued a toddler wandering on a highway at night. I forgot the incident for years. Something may have triggered my memory because one day I found myself wondering what happened to him as he grew up. I didn't have the answer but I found a place to use the incident in a book.

I've been told that I don't waste anything. I either eat leftovers or save them for soup. I suppose that habit spills over into my writing. If I find words wandering around in my brain, I latch onto them, put them into sentence form, develop the batch into paragraphs and, finally, I will tuck them into a manuscript. Does this help turn the key to unlatch Writer's Block? 

HAPPY DAY

HAPPY DAY


With good news,
It's a good day
I'm having one
I'm glad to say.

The sequel to
TIME WILL TELL
Is coming soon,
I hope it sells.

QUESTION OF TIME
Is in Musa's hands
I hope it climbs
To a status grand.

And then TIME WAS,
The third book,
Will be published, too,
Please take a look.

When a contract's signed
It's a step on the way,
Hopefully leading to
More happy days.

Mary S. Palmer
9/10/13

END OF SUMMER

I used grammarly.com to check this because:

Though poetry is subjective,

Readers still spot misspelled words.

I would rather write it right

So I won't be corrected.  

End of Summer

Summer's waning,

But Daylight Saving Time

Still provides

Long evenings.

As August creeps along

And Labor Day approaches,

Children reluctantly

Return to their classrooms.

Beachgoers return home,

And settle in

For the chilly days

Of fall.

Work resumes

At a faster pace.

Multitasking sometimes

Causes waste.

Writers try to tell

Of the beauty

Seen in the changing

Of the leaves.

But no words

Can adequately describe

The pictures

God draws on the wall.

MSP

NITPICKING

"I used Grammarly to grammar check this post, because I don't want any nit-pickers finding errors in it.

NITPICKING

     It's always amazing how some of the worst readers, those who can't spell I, can find errors in books. Although such criticism can be instructive, it's often nitpicking.

     The source of the phrase is gross. It comes from the task of removing eggs of lice from someone's hair and clothing, a tedious job that requires close attention to detail. It's interesting to note that fifty percent of Civil War soldiers had lice, so one of their favorite pastimes was having lice races.

     Maybe that's what some readers are trying to prove--that they can find flaws in an author's writing, even though they themselves can't write a complete sentence. Such fault finders never seem to make any suggestions for improvement, either. Perhaps their goal is just to win the lice race by finding the most errors.

     Should authors listen to them? I'd say Yes. It's possible to learn something from anybody. However, don't be discouraged because your writing isn't perfect. You should also make your own final judgment regarding whether the criticism is justified with an eye to considering the source. Remember, monkeys nitpick all the time. 

To Mother with Love

For all the things I didn't say
The compliments not paid.
For times of night, and of day,
I could've been less staid.

I wish I'd told you that I cared
More often than I did.
So many things we might have shared
Were left alone, unsaid.

Perhaps you knew it all along,
And words unspoken came
To you in terms of things like song
Each time you heard my name.

Still there will be another day
When we both meet above
To have my chance to simply say
I'd like to share my love.

MSP

Presentation in Metairie

Doing the presentation to writers in the New Orleans area was very interesting. The  Fiction Writers' Group, which meets at the Jefferson Parish Library, has serious writers who are attentive. They liked the exercises I gave them and I also learned a few things from their responses and participation.

I sold a few copies of my most recent book, CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION, and the library is going to purchase copies of that and of my other titles.  It takes a little time to prepare a program for two hours, but making such appearances is great PR and it helps build a writer's platform. It's also fun and a great excuse to visit New Orleans.

I'm excited to announce that my latest book, CHANCE FOR REDEMPTION, a fantasy novella, is now in print and will soon be on Amazon.com. I will have copies available immediately--5/3/13. If you are interested, you can contact me at my e-mail address: mlsp1@bellsouth.net.

In this story, mercenary Jerome Strait discovers that his wealth will not help him get into heaven; to be redeemed, he must return to Earth and correct all of his mistakes. However, an angel named Ezekiel is sent to guide him.

It has been compared to IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. It would be "wonderful" if it is as successful as that story was.

I appreciate all who take and interest in my work.