Sometimes you’re just in a funk, and you can’t find the right words for your characters or feel like that missing piece is never going to fall in place. You have no idea where the writer inside disappeared to, then all of sudden you write a letter, an email, or do a different type of writing and you get the groove back.
I’m getting my groove back.
Recently, I had a blogging buddy of mine Jacqueline Cangro edit one of my manuscripts and let me tell you, having someone read something like that gave me the butterflies. I mean I know that eventually it’s going to be out there for everyone to see, and some close friends of mine have seen parts, if not all of it. But Jackie was going to edit it … really edit it. So I was nervous. I was like … dude what if she hates it? Will she ever return to my blog? Or how will she let me down easy. I was creating all kinds of scenarios in my head, but none of them panned out.
Jackie was really nice about it and spoke with me about my concerns. Sh did an amazing detailed job with content analysis, story and characterization. I was so glad to have met Jackie. Her advice was on point and I could feel the missing pieces coming together.
But I’ll be honest with you, rewriting and rewriting after edits and edits became a daunting task, even with the awesomeness that is Jackie. I got a little nervous. I didn’t want to veer too far off course, I didn’t want to get lost in all the editing that I couldn’t find my way back. And then the universe sent me a sign.
A friend of mine asked me to write a grant proposal for arts programs at my son’s school. Now normally I don’t get involved with the Mommy Mafia or the PTA clicks, which she is a part of, but seeing how this was a close buddy and it was for a great cause I thought it would be a great service for the community and a good opportunity for a pause in novel re-writing plan.
So I took a step back from my 100th rewrite and did something good for someone else. During that process I learned that tapping a different avenue of my talents, helped stir up the writing mojo in all areas of my life. Writing about advocacy and arts engagement helped boost my own focus. Being able to write a cohesive statement that had nothing to do with my crazy character and her journey, helped glue ideas together in the recesses of my mind, and make things click. I was making connections and feeling confident about the fine-tuning that was going on.
And this is where I find myself.
I find myself looking back on how I turned the corner and I never would have guessed that grant writing or executive summaries would have the power of a high-five, because that’s what it was … a literary high-five. After I finished writing it … I thought damn! That was me … I put these words together. I conveyed how critical arts were for inventiveness and out-of-the box thinking. I put together a piece that speaks to the heart of this school and the need for arts education despite financial cutbacks. I convinced someone, I persuaded them to give money … and just with words. They hadn’t even met me yet. All they knew were my words.
And that seemed to be pretty powerful stuff. That seemed to be the make-up of a writer. That seemed to put be back on the yellow-brick road pathway.
So while, I’m still working on the grant, which will be due in a couple of days, I feel that time away from my story, spent working on a different discipline, has helped bring the story back full circle. I don’t know if any other writers experienced something like that, because I figured people get inspired or back into the story, by being away from it for a moment, taking a trip somewhere and then coming back from that sabbatical refreshed ans zoned in, but it was my first way down that road. And I’ve got to say, it was interesting.
Buen Camino
The Wish Factor 
Hello! I’m bouncing over here to thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. I realize I’m two months late in replying and I apologize!! I spent the remainder of the summer to tend to my writing, and I was off-line. Now, I’m playing major catch-up.
I love what you say in this post, because I have experienced something similar. With blogging! I’m a fiction writer at heart, but I have trouble sharing that part of my writing with others. However, with blogging, I didn’t feel the same struggle. When I started getting followers who actually commented (not just liked and ran off), I was encouraged and started thinking, wow, maybe I can be a good writer after all. Yes, the blogging experience definitely helped me with my fiction, on many different levels.
My philosophy is that any kind of writing counts as practice, and that to be good writers, we should write every day. I think you’re doing your muse good by switching gears a little. I bet you’ll see new growth patterns before long!!
Duuuuude. No worries on the hiatus. That’s happened to me before. I think it’s great when we go off-line and recharge our batteries. I was worried about coming back after focusing so much on the grant writing, but glad I’ve gotten support and good feedback. A little confidence goes a long way. Thanks for stopping by.
Cali,
We just happen to be simpatico. When you read my latest post, you’ll understand.
PS- You’re a hell of a writer.
Dude. We were simpatico! Good post! I totally understand. Thanks for the kind words bud. Sending you good vibes on a Buen Camino.
Told ya! 🙂