The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Take a Few Whacks At It--Like a Pinata

       Late last week I had a critique night looming over my head, and nothin' to share. Wednesday evening would be here all-too-soon.

       Also pushing my procrastinator's button was an anthology's deadline. I wanted to submit something, but had not started anything until Saturday night, when I sat down and wrote...a whopping three sentences.

      Crapola.

      On Sunday evening, instead of working on lesson plans when I had some spare time, I added to my piece. Now it was about a third or so done.

      Monday evening, Adam Levine was beckoning me ("The Voice" was on NBC) my muse cooperated a bit, and I made a bit more headway. But still, no end in sight..

      On Tuesday night, I got within sight of the finish line. However, it lacked some oomph here and there and it lacked cohesiveness.

      When I woke up on Wednesday morning, I was able to finish it and do some much-needed polishing. After some extremely-needed critique from the WWWPs last night, I submitted my story...just a few minutes ago.

photo by starmunki

      Last week the piece felt really forced. There wasn't anything easy about it. However, after working on it for a few days, and taking several whacks at it, the words busted loose...just like candy from a piñata.

      When the words are dammed-up, let your writing sit for a day or two. Make several attempts. And if the writing doesn't flow then, take a big stick...and whack at it until something busts loose...