Lau Alexandra“It was a dark and stormy night…”
For any fan of the “Peanuts” comic strip, these words should be instantly recognizable. Snoopy, trying to write the next great American novel, either can’t seem to get past those seven words, or can’t quite seem to ever finish his story.
I can relate. At times, words can flow so easily, yet there are moments when we want- no, need- them to spill out, and…nothing.
I’ve been facing a bad case of writer’s block for years now. In high school and college I was full of story plots and article ideas that I’d put to paper as soon as they came to mind (often during class; oh the irony of now being a teacher and needing to keep my students focused). I was convinced I’d be published before I turned thirty.
But then, the real world hit. And along with that? So. Many. Distractions. A career, social obligations, more responsibilities, Netflix…
Writing fell by the wayside, despite the nagging feeling I’d continuously get, begging me to write in my free time.
“But I’m tired!” I’d tell that feeling. Or, “I want to go out, I’ll write tomorrow- for real this time!!”
And yet, it still wouldn’t happen.
I’m finally ready to get back on the literary horse, so to speak, and am using this month’s Gratitude Challenge, presented by Dani DiPirro (check out her Insta, @positivelypresent to learn more about the challenge) to get me writing. Every day, I’ll blog about the prompt that she presents. I can’t guarantee literary masterpieces (ha!), but I can at least promise myself that I’m taking a step in the right direction.
It’s fitting that the first gratitude prompt of 2021, then, is “words”. The very things that I need to help me accomplish my dream of being a published author one day seem to be the very things that elude me when I need them most. But I’m grateful for the right words, when they come along- and the wrong ones, that can be learned from.
Charlie Brown, through the literary genius of the late Charles Schulz, once philosophized, “In the book of life, the answers are not in the back.” More often than not, we need to figure out answers on our own, and create satisfactory endings for ourselves. Good breaks usually don’t fall right into our laps. I’m not going to get published by laying in bed, eating Wheat Thins (so simple and so good), and binging Netflix in my free time (but really, is anyone else eagerly awaiting the release date of Outer Banks Season 3? What are they waiting for?!).
I have to use my words. Challenge accepted.
What’s a challenge that you’re trying to get over this month? Feel free to share it with me here, or on my Insta: @teach.explore.repeat
‘til next time,
Lau
