As good as I think the story I’m writing is, there are moments of murkiness. Uncertainty. Sometimes the horrible knowledge I’m going to take a great idea and make it mediocre.
So, when I’m feeling that way how do I get back to the place where I’ve got all of my crayons spread out on the desk and can create with abandon? Where I believe I can color outside of the lines and it will be beautiful?
Where I can simply get started?
I have a candle on my desk. That helps.
I listen to The Writers Mind CD. That helps. Or I listen to another CD of my choice. That also helps.
I start typing away until something good happens. That sort of helps.
Now, I have a fire going. That helps.
I also play Free Cell. Yep. There. I said it.
When I begin a game of Free Cell, with the intent of moving on, I tell myself what the plan is when I bring the game up on my computer screen. And at the end? It’s like flipping a switch. Peg is on. Focused. Ready.
What do you do? C’mon. You can be honest here.
CR: Absinthe of Malice by Pat Browning.
It’s all better with friends.