Thursday, April 22, 2010

Feeling the Blues...


Before I start, I have to say that I am sitting in my coffee shop where I was just caught laughing out loud. Why? Because I typed "Feeling the Blues" into Google images and was greeted with this photo of Bella and Edward. WTH? Are they feeling the blues? Is their image supposed to get one OUT of the blues? It was too funny not to post. So, I give you a "Feeling the Blues" post with the blessing of the Cullens. HA!

Anyhoo...The blues to which I am referring are the dreaded Blog Blues, more commonly called, Blog Block. And I have it, baby. I can't think of a durn thing to blog about these days.

Recently, I read a book in which it was suggested that we writers use so much brain power creating stories that there is very little power left for anything other than zoning out in front of Mad Men - which I intend to do later.

Although slightly depressing, I have used this fact to my advantage. My husband often complains that I am forgetful, but lately I remind him that it is normal and simply due to my "dedication to my craft." You like? Go on - try it out. You use it like this:

"I'm sorry I forgot to take your shirts to the cleaners, honey. I've used my precious remembering-powers trying to plot my book."


Yeah. He doesn't go for it either. But then again, he's not a writer. He can't relate to mental exhaustion from doing nothing but thinking up things.

Do you ever feel this way? And is it a bad thing? Is being a hard worker to the point of losing your mind bad?

Do those marketing peeps who tell us we have to blog our little hearts out realize that if they want us to write intelligent, compelling books that our blogs may suffer?

I think perhaps this is an area in which I need to dedicate some time. There are some of you who are pros at this. You confidently rock both worlds - blogging and writing. Feel free to leave tips in the comments. As for me, I am going to shift gears now and work on my book - the one that takes all my brain power. But, since I friggin' adore it, I'm having trouble regretting the blues...

9 comments:

lisa and laura said...

Yeah, the other day I was talking to my husband and brought up a company that he used to work for, only he never worked there. And then 10 minutes later I mistakenly said the name of his old company when I asked a question about where he's working now. He's convinced I have early early onset dementia.

No joke.

The moral of the story: I can't remember where my husband works, but I can plot with the best of 'em. I mean it's hard to remember stupid stuff like company names when you're dreaming up your new series.

Glad to hear I'm not alone...

storyqueen said...

Yup. No short term memory at all. Wishing it was different.....

But I've got no short term memory at all.

(Oh wait, did I just say that?)

Shelley

JESSJORDAN said...

Well CLEARLY Bellward is feeling the blues ... they have that eternal kind of love, the kind you can tell from one intense stare, and everyone gets trying to mess with their soulmate flava!

:)

Stina said...

This was too funny! My husband's given up on me along time ago. I'm easily distracted. He's not the creative type, so he has a hard time understanding how draining being creative is. :D

Elana Johnson said...

Dude, I use up all my brain cells with writing too. And I don't plot, which means I have to use more than the average writer. No wonder I'm always forgetting things and burning dinner.

Natalie said...

Um yes. That's why I need to unplug every now and then. A few weeks ago I started writing on a Saturday morning and completely forgot TWO birthday parties that my girls were supposed to attend. I forget to clean a lot too. :)

Sherrie Petersen said...

A critique partner and I were driving home after our group meeting and we both commented how exhausted we were. It was in a good way, but the mental exhaustion of playing with plots and motivations and finessing the words for five different stories left us ready for a nap!

Little Ms J said...

I'm there, sister. I sometimes look at an empty post waiting for words and wonder if they'll come. Twitter freaking stresses me out. And the Barista? She is still caught in mid-sentence....

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

i hear yah - i dont remember a dang thing - what what was i saying?

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