frozen

all the words left when i need them most. i’m frozen in a panic that can only be induced by an impending deadline. i have two pages of something and i have to turn it into a story by thursday. the more i think about it the more i can’t write. at the moment i am terrified that nothing will ever fall from my fingers every again. i don’t even know where to begin.

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15 Comments

  1. Damon 04.Oct.04 at 7:39 am

    Your muse will come through in time, I’m sure.

    In the meantime, do everything you can to ignore it. Muses hate that.

    If that doesn’t work, I’ve heard they also hate cheese. Threaten it!

  2. UH 04.Oct.04 at 12:34 pm

    “It was a dark and stormy night…”

  3. Thomas 04.Oct.04 at 1:07 pm

    Start at the beginning, it’s a very good place to start…

  4. jodi 04.Oct.04 at 1:10 pm

    so far i have, “The first time I tried to lose my virginity I nearly died.”

    and then it gets worse from there.

  5. Thomas 04.Oct.04 at 2:08 pm

    You could always start it;

    This is the story of how I nearly died. I’m OK now, so remember that when we get to the part where my demise almost occurs. I know how you worry, fret and carry on, so I thought I owed you that much.

  6. jodi 04.Oct.04 at 2:18 pm

    i kinda already like my first line.

  7. Thomas 04.Oct.04 at 2:30 pm

    Well, keep your first line, but let your readers know that you’re OK now. Not because you want them to know that the you’re OK, but because it helps you define the character you’re having share the initial revelation in question.

    Only if you want it to go that way, mind you.

  8. jodi 04.Oct.04 at 2:34 pm

    but it says right there that i nearly died and that i didn’t actually die, and really i would never write a story where the main character was writing from beyond the grave because really, that’s just lame.

  9. Thomas 04.Oct.04 at 3:05 pm

    Yeah, but nearly dying could also be associated with horrible scarring, loss of functionality on your left side, or, well, something NASTY. If your character is OK, let people know. Again, only IF you want to go with a conversational approach, like someone recalling past events and wanting people to feel at ease; Let them know this isn’t the saddest horrific thing that ever happened, but something that happened, was gotten over, and just bears repeating.

    I enjoy stories that hint to the final outcome, or part of the big struggle, at the beginning. It’s the scrap of meat to keep you eating.

  10. jodi 04.Oct.04 at 3:07 pm

    well i might do that, i haven’t decided and you sure are making lots of assumptions based on a single sentence. don’t you think?

  11. Thomas 04.Oct.04 at 4:09 pm

    Just call me Assuming Von Assumerhosen today, OK? And I am trying to help you know. If you can get Grumpy McGrumpypants to leave you alone for a while, It’d be appreciated… sheesh.

  12. jodi 04.Oct.04 at 4:23 pm

    well, i know you’re trying to help and all, but you’re giving all this direction based on one sentence, and you have NO idea what the second sentence says at all. so really how can you give direction on something so very small?

  13. Thomas 04.Oct.04 at 4:29 pm

    You’re absolutely correct.

    Good luck on the story.

  14. jodi 04.Oct.04 at 4:53 pm

    oh come on, there’s no reason to be hurt. it’s just a difference of opinions. sheesh.

  15. melts 04.Oct.04 at 9:55 pm

    here’s my two cents, since you haven’t banned me from commenting and all. you should just forget what your first sentence says because you know that tomorrow, you will edit the first sentence out. you can’t help it.

    focus on writing and not thinking. isn’t that what you always tell me? see why i waited until thanksgiving to turn in my story?

    i can’t wait to read it. it will be awesome and inspiring as always. see you thursday.