It's not just you

Today is the type of day that calls for a blanket, sun-umbrella and good long book. The only problem with that is that I want to curl up with MY book. You know, the one I'm writing? Actually, after taking a few days off writing posts, I'm finding my creative juices flowing much more smoothly. In fact, I just finished writing an event in a way I've never even considered. I had not thought about it for more than a few moments before the words started spilling onto the page, and it works! It seems as though I've continued to write my story simply to find out what happens next for myself which, in my opinion, this is the best way to go. It keeps me involved and curious, exploring my fantasy world with a kind of innocence that I could not have if I knew exactly what was going to occur and when. But even though the words are coming, sometimes they don't show up in the order or with the depth that I would like them to.

Writing is a struggle. Especially to begin with. One could practice for years and still come across that internal battle of clashing thoughts at least once in a while if not on a regular basis. You see, often times I will put down a paragraph that sounds perfect; flowing and exciting to read, and yet another version of the same event will literally dance beyond my reach, taunting me into frustration. I try to grasp it, to mold the words into something more meaningful, but whatever my subconscious is trying to portray is too advanced for my understanding, and it slips away. It's like there is a dam inside of my mind, holding back a much higher level of skill or insight, or both, and I need to break it down. But how? Is this also simply a matter of "practice makes perfect"? Or is there some kind of trigger that will force that barrier to crumble like crackers beneath my shoe? I'm sure it's the first, hoping it's the second, but either way I know both take time.

In the past I've taken a look at my favorite authors - Cinda Williams Chima, Christopher Paolini, Suzanne Collins, J.R.R. Tolkien  and David Clement-Davies to name a few - and wondered how they do it. They've taken something they love to do and turned it into a job where they have to sit for hours just like a regular work day and meet deadlines just like any other employee. Doesn't that diminish the joy of their craft? That's what I would have thought, then. Now I understand that to make a career out of the very thing you were meant to do in life is actually a gift. A gift that not many people have acheived in the over-all scheme of things. The feeling I get when I sit down and write a good section of my book is unparalleled by anything else, it's unbeatable, and to experience that every day? Well that would be bliss.

So for any of you that are also aspiring authors and asking yourself "is it just me?" NO! It's not just you, trust me. I know what you're going through, but I also know that perseverance will prevail and that's what we will do; prevail. As an excellent writer once said (my father) "Writing is the art of putting into words that which you observe" and he's right. For those who think they can't do it, try. Go outside and find an interesting part of nature or even something man-made found amongst nature and write about it. Photograph it, paint it, whatever the area of your creative streak, put it to use. There's no time like the present and if you can do it today, why wait till tomorrow?