Forehead Bleeding Again

"Writing is easy -- all you have to do is stare at a piece of paper until your forehead bleeds." Douglas Adams

Why do I love this quote? Because it is the essence of writing itself. When I first heard this, I didn't recognize the author's name. When I realized Douglas Adams wrote Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I liked the quote even more. I have to admit I haven't ready the book, but I have the movie on DVD :) It is wonderfully silly and creative.

But back to my quote. I think it explains exactly how difficult and unconventional writing can be. When I say unconventional, I am speaking of method. You can take classes, you can join critique groups, you can read books on writing, you can learn the mechanics. BUT... the creative juices required to put pen to paper and create something other people would be interested in reading, is truly an art form.

Not only that, but some of my best ideas come in unconventional ways... at least to the rest of the world. I get my best ideas in the shower and when I'm in the car all by myself. Okay, so maybe Albert Einstein might have said something to that effect, but I find it absolutely amazing that he is so correct. I cannot tell you how many times I have been stuck in a story, absolutely stuck, and I don't even realize I'm mulling over it as I bathe, when BAM!!! the most INCREDIBLE answer comes to mind.

Now, to the non-writer this might seem completely strange, but to the person who cannot think of anything else but writing, just about all of them know exactly what I'm talking about.

I am currently working on re-write #3 on my first fantasy novel. I am 1,000 words away from what I hope to be very nearly the final cut ;) I am going to send it to a publisher I met at a writer's conference back in May. I am very excited.

Yet, I find myself procrastinating as all well-intentioned writers do when they face a deadline (real or imagined). Yes, I am even here instead of where I need to be... in Microsoft Word...

I think this is why I appreciate this quote so much. Writing is not easy. If it were, everyone would be doing it. So, here I go, logging out of my blog, and getting ready to make my forehead bleed again.

I am going to set a goal: (now goals can be good, but they can also be devastating. Know that when I set a goal about writing, it has to stay fluid... flexible...) I want to finish my last 1,000 words by this weekend. That's a tough order to fill, but I'm going to see how far I can get. I will post my results as I go.

I wish myself luck!