Knocking off the rust

I feel like my blogging skills have gotten a bit rusty since the book tour. Sorry about that, friends. I promise to try harder.

Sometimes the problem is that the kind of thoughts that I want to put into a blog post feel like they will need hours of writing and shaping, and then I’ll have to find the right photo to go with them, or maybe a video, or maybe I ought compose an original tune for piano and mandolin, which means that first I’ll have to learn to play both instruments, and….

You get my drift.

This is the same kind of game my brain plays with me when it comes to my own writing. I hesitate to put any words down somedays because I can see all the things I need to do before I set the words down that will make those words shiny and perfect.

Bollocks.

The critical step of writing – any kind of writing – is to pluck the words from your forehead and set them down on paper or screen. Write, don’t think. Just get it down. I am going to try to walk my own talk on this blog in an effort to knock the rust off my brain and encourage the words to flow again.

So.

What kind of day is today? It’s a laundry day, a tying-up-loose-ends day. Trace Adkins on the stereo. And Big & Rich. Scaring the dogs as I sing along at the top of my lungs. Packing for this weekend’s writer’s conference. Planning a date with my husband. Wishing it was time to go to the gym. Ready to plant seeds in my soul.

How about you?

 

 

8 Replies to “Knocking off the rust”

  1. I’ve been on a writing tear the last few weeks. I gave myself permission to write drivel and words just poured out. Some *is* drivel but some is good!

    Last night I felt like the well had run dry, so it must be time for a break to attend to all the tasks that I’ve been neglecting!

  2. My blog has been neglected too. I wish I could say it was because I was busy accomplishing other things…

    Today I submitted to a contest, though (fingers crossed). I guess that’s something.

    Now I’m exhausted.

  3. Great post Laurie. You’re truly amazing.

    Thanks for this advice. I have the EXACT same problem when it comes to my own writing. I will try to do what you say.

    I love you 🙂

  4. You amaze me Laurie. Where do you get your enthusiasm? I can’t even remember the last time when I looked forward to working out.

  5. Not sure where to comment on Speak so I’ll do it here. I love your writing style and the imagery it invokes. From “the school bus wheezing to the corner” and “dragging us over the hills” you hit us with Melinda’s emotional state on the first page. The unspeakable tragedy of rape resonates with so many. Your novel breathes strength and hope through tragedy. Powerfully written.

  6. Hi Laurie,
    I recently read Speak for my adolescent literature class. The book was extremely moving, especially because of the writing style. I did not recognize the writing style so I assumed I had never read anything else you had written. Then, I went to your website and realized that one of my favorite childhood books, Fever, was also one of your books. I was so surprised! I think what makes both books so wonderful, and so different, is that you don’t write in one particular “style”. You do something much more difficult and compelling. You tell the story with the character’s voice.

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