Musings on Writing by Rassarah Winters
All kinds of things come up as I decide to write…Louisiana memories, Texas tales, California conundrums, and a few Ohio reflections move around in my head. They fight for my attention. But, do I really want to write? Which experience has more oomph? Which best matches my mood right now?
There’s also the written list of topics my pen hasn’t addressed; I add to it every time I look at it. So there’s that. And the latest nighttime dream is in my rough dream journal; it gets a new page when I can remember to write as I wake up.
Lots of inspiration sources, but why so little actual writing? Not having time is not a good excuse. That’s one of the benefits of retirement…more time than I’ll ever need, if I could just get started. Could it be fear? I think so….fear of success, or fear of failure? Or as Mandela is rumored to have said…”you don’t fear being small, you fear the greatness within you.” Hmm…greatness within me? Well, maybe just a little bit.
Could it be too many choices …not being focused? Possibly. I remember one “getting unstuck and focused” strategy…”write about being stuck, write to a favorite author about being stuck, but don’t send your ‘being stuck’ writing anywhere; keep it to yourself.” I’ve learned if I just start writing (even nonsensically) and keep my pen on the page, something eventually flows. This has worked a time or two. Maybe it’ll work this time.
So much for cyclical meanderings…I think I can write something now…..
Rassarah Winters