Writer's Block

There is something to be said for getting up early. It gives me time to write, read and think before the rest of the world wakes up. Well, I guess there are other people up right now, maybe doing the same thing I'm doing. Or, if they are parents of young children, it's probably alot more hectic at their house than at mine.

I've been spending alot of time with my new friend. I just love her. She and I have alot of the same interests, dolls, art, reading. I don't think she is into quilting the way I am. But, that's ok. I don't expect to find friends who love every single thing that I do. For one thing, I have so many interests. I am intrigued by her daughter-in-law. I have never met her, but she sounds very interesting. She teaches creative writing at our local university and has been published in several journals. She also has a book coming out soon. She has also done readings at various events and places around Chattanooga, Meacham Writer's Conference being one. I've never been to Meacham, but I'm thinking that the next time they have it I might go. It's free, unlike the Southern Literature Conference which is pretty expensive unless you can get in on the student discount, which I have done in the past because I was taking some classes. I still have my student ID, but I don't know how long that ID will be good since they are making to many changes at the college where I used to work, I figure making new ID's will be one of the things they will do soon, if they haven't already. 

But, back to my friend's daughter-in-law. After I found out her name, and learned that she teaches creative writing, I did a search online at the university where she works and there was a link to her blog and I've been reading it. I am very inspired by her blog. She is very honest and open about her life and her struggles with different things, like weight and blood pressure. She's also bipolar and she talks about that too. Also, about her writing and submissions, rejections, etc. I find it all very inspiring. I have some of the same struggles with weight and blood pressure. I really admire her openness and honesty about her feelings about things, including religion. I can't help but want to meet her sometime and one of these days I'm going to tell my friend that I want to. I might be wrong, but I think that the daughter-in-law and I might have some things in common and might be able to have interesting conversations. She said that she and one of her friends do tend to go on about writing. That would really interest me. I can't help but wonder what taking one of her classes would be like. I'm almost tempted to take one as an audit. She wouldn't know me, but that's too close to home because the chances of me one day meeting them is very good because of my friendship with her mother-in-law. One day I'm sure my friend will meet my husband. It's just the nature of friendships. First, you get to know each other and become friends, and then next you start introducing them to your families. I love going to her house. I would love to have her over here, but my house is not nearly as neat and clean as hers. She's mentioned it a couple of times and I've kind of put her off. I might have her over during the holidays when I get everything cleaned up.

After reading her daughter-in-law's blog, I realize more than ever that I want to write something. First, I thought a book, but I don't know if I could hang with it for that long. Then, I thought maybe short stories. That might work. The only thing along those lines that I've written, has been essay type stories based on real life events. I've also written quite a few poems, but I've found that poetry has to come to me and I have to have an inspiration to write those. And, lately I haven't been inspired to write any poetry. But, I'm thinking that the reason for that is probably because I haven't really looked at anything to give me inspiration. For example, found poems are a good way to find inspiration. I guess I really have to put my mind to it, and I haven't done that. Now that I'm retired, there is no reason or excuse for not doing it. I also have th perfect setup for writing. We have the desktop computer in the den and I can find quiet time there to write. I could be just like other writers who retreat to their offices and write for a few hours a day. Although, I don't want to be tied to the computer for very long, I would love it if I could get a story in my head and characters that "tell me the story and all I have to do is write it down" like so many authors say they do. That must be nice, to just be the vehicle and to have it come to you so easily. I know other writers who say they don't write that way at all. And others who talk about writer's block, which I guess is where I am. I seem to be permanently in writers' block. Either that or I just don't have anything to say. So, how can I have such a desire to write, but yet not be able to come up with anything to write? That doesn't make sense. The desire is definitely there, but the material isn't and I'm not sure what to do about that.