Disclaimer: It’s been a while since I’ve written a decent blog post. And for some reason, I find that writing in the third person, or writing in my ‘have you ever’ voice is always the best way for me to get warmed up. I think the last time I wrote anything, in the first person action voice, was over a year ago? And that’s only because I had really dramatic material to work with. Also, I am really sick of writing about my health issues, but as much as I tried, apparently, I can’t avoid bringing them up. Anyway, here is my pathetic attempt to return to the world of blogging.
Onward.
Once upon a time there live a girl named, Meleah. And in 2007, she decided to write a novel. In fact, her thoughts and ideas surrounding that novel kept her awake at night. Except that Meleah really didn’t know how to write a novel, mostly because she attended a very strange boarding school that didn’t exactly focus on education as much as it did cruel and unusual punishment. But that didn’t stop her from trying anyway.
She stayed up countless nights, diligently pecking away at they keyboard, emotionally vomiting on paper. Word after word, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, page after page, thoughts and ideas flowed, for days, and weeks, and months.
But then she got sick.
And then she got sicker.
And in 2008 Meleah’s world came to a sudden halt.
And so did her novel.
In 2009, Meleah toyed with the idea of returning to her novel, mostly because after blogging for three years, she had a much better grasp on the written word. And, she had made friends with fellow writers. One person in particular was kind enough to steer Meleah in the right direction. And then she learned how to use the comma, properly. Along with other valuable tools like correct spelling, and spacing, and other necessary punctuation; all of which are basic skills Meleah never learned in high school.
Once again, she stayed up countless nights, diligently pecking away at they keyboard, emotionally vomiting on paper, rewriting and re-editing everything she has previously written. Word after word, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, page after page, thoughts and ideas flowed, for days, and weeks, and months.
But then she got sick.
And then she got sicker.
And by the end of 2009 Meleah’s world came to a sudden halt, again.
And so did her novel.
For nearly two years, Meleah’s novel stayed locked in a box, collecting dust, underneath her perfectly made bed. She never looked it. And she certainly never talked about it. She was ready to chalk it up as one of her greatest failures. She even considered burning it.
But as much as she wanted to forget all about her book, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Especially when the character voices screamed inside of her head. And plot twists plagued her dreams. However, when people asked about her book or how it was coming along, she would cringe at the very notion of ever returning to it.
So she came up with all kinds of excuses, and even some logical reasons, in order to avoid working on her novel, mostly because she knew just how much work it entailed, and just how difficult it would be.
And then one day in 2011, her grandfather, scolded Meleah.
“Stop being so hard on your self!” Poppa Sye shouted, after listening to her bash another piece of writing. And then he proceeded to remind Meleah, “It’s never the story you tell, it’s how you tell the story. And you, my dear, made writing about the lack of toilet paper an interesting read. The only thing holding you back is you. So get off your behind, quit playing games, and get back to writing. Will ya?”
And that very conversation, gave Meleah the inspiration, she very much needed.
Once again, Meleah stayed up countless nights, diligently pecking away at they keyboard, emotionally vomiting on paper. Word after word, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, page after page, thoughts and ideas flowed, for days, and weeks, and months.
And right before Poppa Sye passed away, Meleah promised him that she would finish her novel, no matter what.
In 2012, Meleah wrote with more passion and more dedication than ever before. She finally got real. And she finally got serious. And nothing could stand in her way. In fact, with the help of someone incredible, she managed to make extraordinary strides and character developments beyond her wildest dreams. And she never felt happier, or more at peace, simply because she fully embraced her calling in life.
And once again, Meleah stayed up countless nights, diligently pecking away at they keyboard, but this time, she wasn’t emotionally vomiting on paper. Oh, no. This time she wrote with a genuine purpose. And she had a very clear direction.
Word after word, sentence after sentence, paragraph after paragraph, page after page, thoughts and ideas flowed, with an unstoppable force, only furthering her determination.
And this went on for 26 consecutive weeks.
But then the summer arrived.
And Meleah got caught up in all of the fun.
And she didn’t make any time for her novel.
Or her blog.
And then she beat herself up for letting everything fall to the wayside.
And then she got sick.
And then she got sicker.
And then she went for some new tests.
And she had to make all kinds of appointments with all kinds of new specialists.
But that didn’t freak her out, mostly because, she’s used to all of this medical nonsense. And she knows whatever will be will be. And there’s not a whole lot she can do about it.
But now that’s all over with. And Meleah is back on track.
She has a routine, and a schedule, and everything is falling into place. And she doesn’t care if she gets sick, or if she gets sicker, she’s not coming up with excuses again, she’s not letting self-doubt trick her again, and she’s not giving up on her novel again.
And also, those darn characters are keeping her up at night again.
Go go go! I will if you will. I was flying, writing my novel, until the last few weeks, when I started to get close to finishing, and now I’m all self-doubty. What a silly way to be. Let’s get over it.
well i have enjoyed every word you have ever written,, so i will be glad if you get back to writing on it.. time and things do get in the way,, but for the most part we are our own worst stumbling blocks.. i know,, i just came out of a nearly three year dry spell in may.. write on…
What a great message in your post. I find it very difficult to go back to old writings because the flow seems to have gone and yet these writings are a part of me and they do cry out. I hope and pray your health is getting better and that you fulfill your heart and soul’s calling.
Inspiring for the reader and rooting for you all at the same time 🙂
Way to go, Mel. Popa Sye is smiling down on you!
I just love a happy ending.
That’s a deal.
Screw you, self-doubt!
Life does get in the way, and I am most definitely my own worst enemy!
I am SUPER happy YOU are writing again!
Do you have a new blog, I can read?
And if so, what’s the link?
xoxox
Thank you, so much!
🙂
Yippppeee!!
xoxoxo
I sure hope so!
And thank you for the “pimping” today, Paula!
Me too!
Poppa Sye’s words couldn’t be more true.
And you have never written anything “pathetic”! You rock woman, and so
will your novel. I’m looking forward to as many late from my Verizon
Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone
Poppa Sye’s words couldn’t be more true.
And you have never written anything “pathetic”! You rock woman, and so
will your novel. I’m looking forward to as many late from my as it
takes.
Poppa Sye knew his stuff. Write on, woman! I can feel the energy building and I can’t wait for your book to explode all over the interwebs!
Faaaaaaaaaabulous post, Meleah!
And I love, love, love how you wove the pictorial quotes between your words! I especially love the one from Anne Lamott!
“It’s never the story you tell, it’s how you tell the story.”
Poppa Sye was right. It’s how you tell the story. And you, dear friend, tell your stories/posts brilliantly!
Through blogging, I’ve learned (among many other things) that sometimes we have to push ourselves a bit to produce. There have been so many times when I didn’t think I had an idea for a post, but when I made myself sit down to write, it just happened. Creativity is like a dance, sometimes we lead and other times we are led.
I’m so proud of you for not giving up on your novel and pushing ahead.
You GO, girl!
X ya!
Thank you, Jimmy!
You rock, Cheryl!
And you’re right. Poppa Sye was one smart cookie!
“Creativity is like a dance, sometimes we lead and other times we are led.”
That is SOFA KING true!
xoxoxo
🙂
X
You are inspiring! And you will finish your novel. I know you will. You go, girl!
Thank you for believing in me, Terri!
Go go go – girl!!! Also? “And then she learned how to use the comma, properly.” <—– LOVE.
I’ve got faith in you, lady.
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
– Jack London
Yay….Way to go, Meleah. I loved your post and I am sure your novel will be “the can’t put it down” kind. Everyone has a story in them, but few have the perseverance to put it to paper. I have every confidence your story will be awesome.
When I took fiction writing, we were required to read our work in class. Everyone would always start out saying, “This is a first draft. I really don’t like it yet. I just wrote it last night.” My teacher called it the “dogshit speech
🙂
Thank you, Internet Wifey!
xoxox
So true, BobG! So true!
Thank you, for such a lovely comment, Cheryl!
You rock!
The dogshit speech?
That’s hilarious!
xoxox
Welcome back! 🙂
Hooray for schedules and routines! And with Poppa Sye looking down on you, I have a feeling you’re not going to quit until your novel is complete! I, for one, cannot wait to read it! I get giddy just seeing a new post from you! 🙂
Good luck with the schedule! I find it is much easier to accomplish something if you can be disciplined by it.
Holla!
Aw! Yay! Thank you!
Absolutely!
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Glad to hear you’re back at it, Meleah! I can’t wait to read it! That Hemmingway quote is great!
Write on, Meleah!
🙂
Roger that!
Hey, it’s so great that you kept coming back to it over and over. I hope you get a break and nothing gets in your way!
I am so proud of you. That’s all.
No wait, there’s one more thing. I love you SOFA KING much. 🙂
Wait! what? I’ve been gone so long that you got sick and sicker. I’m sorry sweetie. hang in there and keep writing.
Same here!!
I love you too! SOFA KING much!
Yeah, my health hasn’t been very good lately.
They are sending me to new specialists : Rheumatologist & Endocrinologist to see if they can help figure out what’s happening to me.
Miss you, Madge!!
xoxoxo
You keep on keeping on girl! You’re doing much better than I am, and I have no excuse.