Taking a break from writing is OK, or is it?
Posted: Wednesday, November 09, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
It seems that my writing hiatus during the power-loss aftermath of Storm Albert has produced more fodder for articles but they are taking place mostly in my mind (again – maybe I should say still?). When I sit down to commit my words
to paper or computer, the words simply run for cover and hide. I simply couldn’t wait to sit down at the computer – I was chomping on the bit. The whole eight days of inability to work on my website or write, create or edit an article filled me with frustration.Guess I’ll have to coax and attempt a slow approach to encourage communication between my confounded brain and my ever-anxious computer. I’ll have to reintroduce all those little neutrons to my fingers, and to my eyes, and to my computer and sit back to relax. Maybe they’ll hit it off again and have a mutual admiration writing party to get the words out.
It’s rather baffling to me. This writer’s block, if I can call it that, hasn’t hit me before. I’ve always been verbose in spoken and written word. Good grief, I’ve taken a rash of teasing about being able to say something about anything and make it sound like something that should cost a lot. Where are those critics right now to push the words out. At least they could pass a few jokes or even say, “What? You’re wordless? We’ll have to put that one on the calendar cause that’ll never happen again.” Or some such stimulation.
In any case, tomorrow (Get it? Tomorrow! I just don’t learn) I’ll get out a good old fashioned notebook and write down some ideas. Never mind if I have already forgotten everything I thought about last week. I’ll start fresh and with a clear mind and a clean page.
Who knows what I’ll come up with next. “Who cares,” you say? Just kidding – I know you commiserate with me.
So, boldly I will coax and cajole all those words to flow again.
The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blog sites.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)Hi Gray Mare, you are good enough to write this down and proved no writer's block has struck you. What I think probably is a time we can be alone so that we can write at least a little something . Problem could be time itself.
Thanks for the read and the comment, Hilda. Normally I have dozens of ideas brimming with mental notes to read up and study. Yet when I meant business in front of the c'puter, nothing came from the grey matter worthwhile. Only moderate panic at all I had to do. Not like me and the family thinks the real Heidi is on vacation and I'm the sit-in. Oh well. Guess I'm in a valley in my brain at the moment. Do appreciate hearing from you.
I have a new 3 year-old QH which I would like to train for reining and I plan on buying another horse to train for endurance riding. As I know very little about these sports as I am new to the world of horses, perhaps a word or two of advice would be something to get you to write a few words quickly. This would be appreciated immensely. Thank you Old Gray Mare for all your writings and a big thank you for your future writings!I appreciate the question and even your idea behind it. I'll mull it over a little and see what the old brain cooks up. Your question is right up my alley though.
Welcome to the world of horses. It's no secret that I am overjoyed to be in such a world and I am indeed lucky to belong in it. I say it often and sincerely mean it - there is nothing like a horse and his friendship and adoration to give life meaning, successes, blessings and intensity.
Funny thing Lou, I just reread your comment. To me that means I have some thoughts cooking and I'm looking for points or focus. Simmering . . . Like how much are you able to train yourself, will you be showing at reining, ore you going to work with cows or calves as you train and on.
I am glad to know there is someone else like me. Lately my words have to be forced to appear on the computer screen. Writers block has hit me too. My dondolences.Someone who feels my pain!
It is quite distressing when you cannot draw upon a strength that has always been naturally there or comes easily to you. It's like requiring "physical therapy of your mind." I know I have to ride this out and work it out too. Thanks very much for reading, commenting and sharing. Best of everything to you!
Hi Heidi.
I think it's only a block when you can't seem to write about what you think you should be writing. Clearly, you were well able to write this one. :)
Sometimes, not too often, Bernd will be at the computer when I want to write an article. I always have a pencil and pad of paper handy for those times. Even if all I do is make notes, it's helpful. You mentioned you finally got one out ... I have to wonder why you didn't do that while the power was out. Not a criticism ... just an observation.
Oh! I'll toot my own horn a bit ... last night we had the Dressage Desperados BBQ and Award Ceremony. The hose I ride and I got the "D" award for the most improved horse/rider pair. How about that! And now that he is doing better and looks to recover fully, we'll have more opportunities to ride together!
Hugs,
DianneAwesome and dittos to the awesome for you and your horse! So glad. Have been afraid to ask more.
My blank head has been several weeks back now even before the power stuff happened. I was really sick, I had a biopsy done on my face and it still hurts and is still healing and the new has me reeling, and then came the power failure, and we have Amy's brother's wife with b-cancer when she just finally got settled back to normal after her 3rd transplant. It's been a mite crazy. Haven't had much chance to hit what I need to do so some of the mind block is understandable. But I really struggled with the thoughts. Couldn't really put two words together so I liked them. Even now, I'm starting to get some articles written. I could hold them back but choose to publish. I've still got a mind block in the horse area. I'm critical of horse items and I'm hardest on myself. Since I penned about my forgetfulness etc a while back, I do write more down. Yet even though I have notes, if I cannot get the words out, about the only thing I have done is kept the idea - that helps for sure. During Hurricane Irene I did that - I handwrote the articles about the ex. Haven't been able to finish that story either. I'll keep working on other ideas and then I hope the website and horse things will work out.
Glad you're doing so well with Diablo(?).Even better that he pulled out of it. Did he maybe get into maple leaves? Or something else not good for him to ingest?Heidi,
It sounds more like you have too many things you want to write about than that you have a block. Maybe you can't put two words together because you have so many that need to get out and they are all competing for time.
You might think about prioritizing. Make a list and work your way through it. Sorry, I just can't seem to help myself trying to help. Tell me to stop if you like. :)
Yup, you remember Diablo's name correctly. I don't think it was red maple, we don't have a lot of those around here. But there is a good chance a neighbor boy fed him something he shouldn't have. He's been told not to feed the horses anymore.
Heidi, you'll get things under control and then wonder what all the fuss was. :)
Hugs,
DianneHeck I love hearing from you. The suggestions are great. Haven't prioritized. I've got some notes on stories like the All My Children one. I've got the list for the horse stories. That's where the problem is. I am even avoiding the website. I have so much to do and am not getting it done. I'm busy on the site and have had a lot of problems such as incorrect size or something not right on an order that shipped. To be expected. Customers sometimes get it wrong. I'm happy to say we've only made one incorrect shipment = and it was miniscule and made up completely. But I have so much to do and fix and change and improve that's on my list. Am avoiding it. Even the articles - I'm not getting to them. Have the blacksmith coming tomorrow and I'll get back to business after - hopefully. I do really have too much on my mind, as you say, and maybe that's what is playing interference at the moment. I mean for me to talk about the BP and in everyday speak - I think I'm focused on everything but what I need to get back to.
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