I’ve never experienced Writer’s Block, at least not as most writers explain it. I’ve actually experienced it in somewhat the reverse, Blocked Writer.
I sit down, ready to write, the words just ready to pull together into a …wait…the phone rings, the car is dead two miles away, rental car for husband, tow truck for car…
…back to writing, the ideas flow, word added to word, page builds upon page, to the climax, the phone rings, Justin is sick, the computer locks up…
…pick Justin up at school, a smell wafts down the hall, computer still locked, a good story dumped as computer crashes, the burner on the stove blows, the sprinkler system explodes, a river runs down the street, the doorbell rings….
Jill just stopped by, if I have time, her life is a mess, and she is still looking for work, while we’re standing in water running down the hallway, nothing but a broken hose on the washing machine, hours at the laundromat, phone calls and appointments with repairmen for the car, the sprinklers, the stove, the washing machine, the computer, and the sick kid.
Even if I haven’t sent out one story to one publisher to receive one rejection letter…the mailbox is always full. There are bills for water and telephone, taxes to be calculated, broker statements showing stocks going down, going up, going down, stock newsletters in a pile covered with dust. Who can believe it’s already 6:00 p.m., no dinner to cook, no milk, no bread, no butter or eggs, call out for pizza, vegetarian without cheese…hey, who took this call from the attorneys?
The court hearing is rescheduled…maybe…depends, hours to pour over documents that mean nothing to people who meant nothing when they signed them…
…time to write, time to write, write what, are you kidding, when do you think you’re going to have time to write, just organize, prioritize…
If you want it, make it, time to write…sell everything, the house, the sprinkler system, washing machine, phone, computer, husband, kids…then how are you going to order pizza, and without pizza, how are you going to write? Writer’s block? Yeah, I’ve heard of it.
I finally gave up. And when I did, God took over.
“Hey, you down there, Ms. Big-Shot-with-Lots-to-Say. It’s about time you gave up. I was aiming to explode your dishwasher next. But now that I’ve got your attention, here’s what I want to know. What’s so important that you’ve got to sit down and write it anyway?
“I’ve already said it all. Jesus. Remember? The Bible, remember? I’ve seen you reading My Word each morning. What problem in life can’t be settled by My Writing? What can you say that hasn’t already been said…by Me?
“Oh, I don’t mind if you write. I just wish you’d settle down a bit. Splashing words on paper might be fun, but don’t you think you’re taking it a little too seriously. I mean really, you keep saying it’s your ‘Gift.’ Just where did you get that idea, anyway? Gift, my girl, are you looking for a gift? Pinch yourself. Squeeze yourself until you hurt. Face your reflection. You’re the gift. You. Love’s the gift. I offer it to you, to your family, your friends. It has nothing to do with words, with writing. That’s just an occupation. It’s fluff. It’s stuff. Love is the gift, and you.
“If you never have time to write one word, it will be no great loss. There’s plenty of words where I come from. Besides, it’s all been written before, by Me. And who’s listening anyway? Now living, that’s another thing.
“Jane, you’re made for living. You’re made for loving. You’re made for expressing My Love. You don’t need to write for that. In fact, if you spend all your time writing, you might forget what you were made for. Just be, Jane. Be Love. That’s hard enough. If you want to write to earn money for pizza, that’s OK by me. But remember the real gift. If you don’t, I’ll stand in your way. I created words. I own Writers Block.
“I don’t want people to know you by reading. I want them to know you by watching. Be Love. Reflect My Love. That’s enough. And it doesn’t require words.”
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THE WRITER’S LIFE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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