PAULA WHYMAN

  curiouswriter

Four women writers went to the movies last night and saw Sex and the City.  (What, you think we only go to readings?)  In the scene where Carrie sits down at the computer and stares at the screen where she has typed 

Love.

and she pauses and then adds an ellipsis:

Love...

pauses again, then backspaces out the ellipsis:

Love.

Why were we the only ones who laughed...?

On Writer's Almanac this morning, Garrison Keillor quoted Thomas Mann:

"A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it
is for other people."

In pursuit of the creative spark, some of you clean, some of you organize, and some, ahem, plagiarize.  But one artist confided that when he wants to look at the world through a new lens, he changes his shoes...to the wrong feet.

Jim Johnston of Mexico City wrote:

"In my studio I wear those hideous (but comfortable) rubber shoes with
holes in them, known as 'Crocs'.  When I'm stuck for creative direction
I take them off, switch feet and walk around a bit, then sit back down
to write.  The slight, rubbery discomfort usually gives me enough of a
jolt to help out."

What do you do when you can't get your work done, either because you're stalled on a project, unable to focus, or otherwise stuck?  I bake (I think I've made that clear). And maybe I spend too much time trying to find font colors that work with lavender. (hint: stay away from orange)

Anyway, give me your best ideas for the times when the work just isn't happening.  Or, tell me what you've tried that you hoped would work but didn't. The most interesting response will get a free beginner's bread cookbook!

If you're too shy to post here, send me an email.