I've Got Nothing. Yet.

 

Okay, well I've talked about so called writer's block, and I hope I convince you that is mostly a myth concocted to scare you back to the laptop, or whatever your preferred device is, and forcing you to write any drivel that comes into your noggin, just so you can fool yourself into believing you have something to offer at this moment. Like this run on sentence for instance.

Now that might work for some. Sometimes it's just like unclogging a drain. Once you get rid of that knotted up congealed mess of hair and cooking oil, the floodgates open and you can't keep up with all the creativity spewing from your previously numb frontal lobe.

But usually the only thing you are missing is a story line. That doesn't mean you are unable to write. It just means you haven't found something that tickles your mind enough to make you want to pursue it.

Here's the truth. The ideas are out there. Everywhere. They are regurgitation themselves from your past, the events of the day, the banter at the coffee machine, the news of the day, even the meaningless pablum you watched on the telly last night. I'll repeat it.

They Are There! Everywhere!!

So why aren't they pouring out onto the screen?

There are dozens of reasons. Maybe you are too occupied with other concerns. Perhaps you are dismissing potential plots without even giving them a second glance. What if you are just tired?

So what to do. First just open yourself to ideas. Look around, pay attention, it's all there, but you're missing it.

Maybe even a little affirmation can help.

When you get a nibble, just jot it down and move on.

Later on one of the nibbles may result in you landing the big one.

Also write something else. Go back and edit some old stories that you may have abandoned. Put down your frustration on paper. 

Do a blog. Even if it's just for yourself.

But just write something, anything that will stop your mind from telling you, you don't have it anymore.

Barring an accidental lobotomy, you writing gift will not disappear. It's right there just waiting for you to give it the go ahead. 

There are times we are going to find that the well has run a bit dry. But that doesn't mean it won't rain tomorrow. 

You are a writer, and that doesn't change because you haven't come up with the perfect tale this week.