I'm channeling Stuart Smalley today. You remember Stuart, the Al Franken character from Saturday Night Live who sat in front of the mirror and did affirmations?
My mirror image is tired of me. "I'm a writer," I tell her. "I'm a good writer. I'm funny. I can be profound. And darn it all, readers love me."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," she says. "You're a writer. Yada, yada, yada. Stop staring at me and go write something already."
"Write something? Like, now?"
"Why not now?"
"Well...I'm not being visited by the muse."
"Not the muse thing again. What happened to 'just do it'?"
"I don't know if I can. I mean, have you seen what I've written lately? It looks like somebody threw up on it. It makes no sense. The sentences don't go together. The spelling, well we all know I can't spell. It's dull as yesterday's socks. And the words, when I read them out loud they sound like the drill at the dentist's office. It'll never match up to the last book. Now, that was a good book. This..."
My mirror image sighs. She's got better things to do. She could be flossing her teeth. Or examining the tiny mole at her hairline. What is that thing anyway? Should we have it looked into?
I walk away. She's right. I should write already.
For more writer insecurities or to join the angst, please visit The Insecure Writer
Funny how the insecurity goes away once we get lost in writing. I'm taking the morning off from writing. That was probably a mistake.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Tonja. The hardest part is sitting down and starting.
ReplyDeleteI am making myself write every day to keep these voices silent. When I'm working, they tend to shut up. Great post - new follower :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the follow, Tasha! It really does help to write every day. Harder to get back to it if you've been away for awhile.
DeleteYou're pretty darn funny! Personally, I don't need a muse, just a good idea. I think I have one. Uh oh, now I need an outline. Dammit, where is that freakin' muse?!
ReplyDelete(I'm a new follower via the IWSG. #61 on the list. Nice to meet you!!)
Hi Nancy! Thanks for stopping by. The muse is never around when you need her. Sometimes, though, if you just start writing she'll sneak in and whisper something in your ear.
DeleteI think we all identify fully with being an insecure writer! Wonder if it ever passes?
ReplyDeleteUte - I've given you a Sunshine Award and you can pick it up from my reading and writing blog if you wish to accept it.
Thanks Romy! Insecurity seems to be our lot. Why is that?
DeleteMy muse left home. Now I just write rubbish until eventually I get to the good stuff :-)
ReplyDeleteYou do get to the good stuff, though, Sarah. The muse is terribly unreliable. Sometimes you just have to go on without her.
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