Im writing ‘just to write’ – because quite frankly, I haven’t written a word in WAY TOO LONG. And, I am finding it difficult to transfer my thoughts into words on paper. However, I HAVE TO write SOMETHING so I am pounding the keys on my Apple just to see what comes out.
I have a few drafts and ideas sitting in the dashboard of my blog and I hate looking at unfinished posts. I’ve tried to complete them, but I am not sure what angle I am going for. I seem to have lost ‘my voice’.
Does that make any sense?
I keep going back and forth between first person and third person. I keep deleting and rewriting. I keep editing, and adding, and altering, and changing my words. And yet – I remain dissatisfied
So, this is what I do when I don’t know what ELSE to do.
I babble. And blither. And ramble. Until I can unlock my brain from this apparent case of atrophy.
I remember when I used to look at every single situation in my life as possible blog material. And I became quite good at relaying the mundane details of the simplest things in life such as the traffic, coupled with a classic twist of humor. And right now, I’m sitting on my favorite barstool, in my favorite place on earth – drawing a blank.
It’s not that I DON’T have material to work with. Because I do. In fact, I think I have too much blog material to work with and it’s clogging my thought process. I can’t seem pick one idea to write about and STAY on topic.
For instance:
I’d love to tell you MORE about: ‘The Surprise Blind Date Guy – Who Turned Out To Be Totally Super Awesome, Otherwise Known As Putty From Seinfeld [Only SMARTER] Or, Simply ‘SONNY’ For Short.’
Because I have SO MUCH to talk about.
I’d love to tell you the story behind the new brakes on my car, because that COULD be hilarious.
And, I’d love to tell you a little story about Amy The Bartender and her new obsession with golfing and a phone call she made to Lou The Golf Pro.
But, I can’t seem to clear my head!
And it’s DRIVING ME CRAZY.
Maybe just writing THIS will open my mind enough to figure out WHAT to write and HOW to write it.
Because I learned A LONG TIME AGO…
It’s never The Story you tell.
It’s HOW you tell The Story.
And THAT is what I am struggling with.
I know WHAT I want to tell you, but I’m having a hard time figuring out HOW to tell it.
I can only hope by MONDAY I will find a way to string together a semi decent blog post for your reading enjoyment.
Until then?
I will be flipping through thesauruses, pounding the keys on my Apple, chain smoking cigarettes, pacing the floors, overdosing on caffeine, and searching for The Right Words!
Thanks for letting me vent. And thanks for being so patient with me ya’ll.
Oh, and ANY suggestions would be helpful.
[UPDATE:]
I still can’t scrape together a blog post just yet. Although I think I might have a semi-decent intro, and I am on my way to figuring out how finish all of those half written drafts. But, in the meantime, I am hoping to find some extra inspiration by reading all of YOUR BLOGS this week. Ya’ll always manage to make me smile, laugh out loud, think, cry, and somehow that bring out the better writer in me. xoxo
“Pounding Keys on My Apple” Is that like stabbing an apple with a key ?
Jaffer:
Ahahhahaha.
No! Its me ABUSING my poor computer because I am SO frustrated right now!
Relax, my dear–you are over-thinking and that is what the problem is. xoxoxoxo
CMK:
I think you are right!
I am driving myself insane right now!
I think I need to walk away from the computer and try again later!
Say it out loud like you’re talking to someone…telling them the story. As you’re talking…type.
It’s what I do…except that I talk to myself. I have no friends.
Sucks.
That’s my advice…write it like you’d say it.
Hope it helps.
….
HOLY SHIT.
Just noticed I actually gave you a serious comment with real advice.
Umm…
I LIKE BOOBIES!!
There.
That’s better.
You just did exactly what I’d suggest. Just write. If I go three days without writing a post, I fall into the same trap. Just keep writing something, anything. It’ll come back.
I have to agree with Terri; the longer you go without writing, the harder it seems to be getting started up again. Just start writing about some of the stuff, then go back and edit until you think it is ready to post.
Moooog35:
You’re The Best.
I am SHOCKED you left a REAL COMMENT too!
Thank you!
🙂
Terri:
Okay. Thanks. That’s what I will keep on doing!
xoxoxo
BobG:
Sweet deal.
“I have a few drafts and ideas sitting in the dashboard of my blog and I hate looking at unfinished posts. I’ve tried to complete them, but I am not sure what angle I am going for. I seem to have lost ‘my voice’.
Does that make any sense?”
Yes. I have unfinished drafts where I don’t know where I drifted from where I started. I also have drafts where I wrote notes about what the blog post was going to be about, but I look at those notes and have no idea what the blog post was supposed to be about.
Yet, I keep the draft hanging around instead of deleting it because, someday, I might remember.
DCR:
OMG. That is EXACTLY how I feel right now!
I woke up in the middle of the night last night and I think I might [MIGHT] have an intro for Monday’s post. This is going to be a LONG weekend!
🙂
Luck must be on our side. I actually managed to eek out TWO blog posts today.
Not that they’re significant or even that interesting, but there are two of them, so that should count for something.
DCR
Its better than I’m doing over here!
Psst. Meleah. Over here. This is your inner voice here.
Just keep pounding the keyboard with whatever pops in Meleah’s head. Sonny. Amy. Bridges. Driving. Anything that makes Meleah happy or pisesd off or sad. Even if it seems like rambling, eventually, Meleah will find something that really yanks Meleah’s chain and the words will pour forth like a backed up toilet!
Just keep writing down whatever comes to mind and eventually Meleah will have a great story to tell.
Well, you did a pretty good job with that post 😀
Agg79:
That is EXACTLY what I needed to hear.
You’re awesome!!!
Nick:
Thank you!
🙂
You know, I actually love rambling streams of consciousness. They’re filled with little tidbits of honesty, and allow you to simply write without censorship. If a subject is important it will never sound “perfect” but sometimes imperfect and in the moment is just as much fun for us readers!
maybe you’re just having a good awesome time right now and don’t have the time nor inclination to write….and that’s cool. a good thing. and eventually your muse will return…
My problem with blogging for me is that I seemed to have misplaced my sense of humor. So much happens for me now (as opposed to when I lived with my parents)…but it takes a lot to find a humorous angle and I just feel like I’m whining.
I cant wait to hear more from you. I just started reading your sight and I am looking forward to hearing about blind date guy!!! Just relax and think!!!
NYerinNY :
Well its good to know I don’t sound like a complete idiot.
Hurricane:
I think I am too concerned with WHAT he will think of my blog post when its done. Especially if I decide to write about him!
Silver:
I feel like I broke my funny bone!
I too have lost my funny for now.
And that’s making it hard for me to get on with writing a post!
Zwiggy:
Hi. Welcome.
I am feeling the same way. I just can’t get the words out. I am going to take Terri’s advice and ‘just write.’ Oh, and I can’t wait to hear about Lou the Golf Pro. Awesome!
I’ve got 3 suggestions:
1) If you’re having difficulty writing, just don’t do it. After all, it’s not like you HAVE to write because it’s your job or you’re in school or something. Take a break. We’ll understand.
2) If you do HAVE to write, because it’s something you just HAVE to do, then do just what you have done. Write. Anything. I used to do that when I had to write term papers and just couldn’t get myself started. I’d just write anything, no matter how nonsensical and besides the point. You can always go back and edit.
But you already thought of that one.
3) Instead of nicottine and caffiene, try alcohol and THC (known to the Rastafarians as “the sacrament of Ganja”). The first will losen you up and second will make you see far more significance and humor in things than you would otherwise.
So it’s: 1) Don’t write 2) Write 3) get effed-up.
I said I had 3 suggestions. I didn’t say they were good suggestions.
I like reader your posts backwards, and then forwards. I’m not sure why I always seem to do it that way though. I do the same thing sometimes when I am reading a newspaper article.
I’m so sorry hon! I know that feeling all too well. Wishing you the best…
You’ll get back in the groove Mel. What I do, I just write for the heck of it – like you did – till I get back on my feet.
Selma:
UGH! I hate this feeling!
However, you are always such an inspiration to me, I think READING YOUR BLOG might help me get back into the zone
xoxo
Ned:
Ahahahahahahaahahah.
I LOVED your suggestions.
Im going to use #2 & #3!
I will let you know how that works out for m2!
You’re the best!
🙂
Debo:
That’s funny
LiLu:
Thanks love!
xoxo
Noemi:
Okay. I think I am ALMOST ready to put real words to paper again!