Fiction

I bought a couple writer's reference books a year ago to aid me in writing a better story. I thought they would help. You know the kind.. the ones that tell you you shouldn't do this and you should write this way. But make sure you don't use too many descriptions but you need just this much in order to get the plot going. And, oh, don't forget your characterizations. And dialog, dialog, dialog.

I mean, really?? Come on. I'm not an idiot. I know how to write. Well, at least, I did until I read those craptastic "books".

I even bought a book about getting rid of writer's block in 10 days. Yes. Supposedly after reading this book, you will be so enlightened to beat writer's block in only 10 days. I read the book. I did the stupid pointless exercises, making those lists with my dominant and non dominant hand.... I made the charts... I did everything. Did I beat writer's block in 10 days? No, my friends, I did not. I wasted 10 days doing all the stuff that was supposed to help. I want a refund.

Excuse me while I go bang my head against the wall a few times.. it should only take a minute......

...................

Okay, I'm back. I did manage to write a page the other day. And today, I managed a whole sentence! Thank you. I'm quite proud of it myself. It's not that I don't have ideas. That's not my issue at the moment. The reason why I'm such a struggling writer is the fact that I cannot get focused. My inspiration isn't there. I'm stressed out to the max.

And I'm reading crappy writer's reference books that don't know what they're talking about!

I think I'll go read some Hemingway and get inspired. That man knew how to write.