Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Follow The Blinking Cursor

This time of year drives me crazy. One day it's hot, the next it's cold. It's sunny at noon, rainy at one. I can't figure out whether I should wear a sweater or short sleeves. The weather is so fickle.

And so am I.

I can't figure out if I want to work on fiction, tinker with the blog, fiddle with the website... or just go shopping. My brain is in squirrel mode, skittering back and forth with no clear direction, driving me crazy as I sit behind the wheel trying to navigate my attention.

In most other things I do, a little discipline would go a long way in such a situation. I'd wrangle my attention span, force myself to focus, and fight through the jitters that make me want to hop up and switch projects every ten minutes.

But writing is a different sort of occupation altogether because it takes creativity, and creativity is tough to manufacture even with a boat load of discipline. And when creativity takes a holiday, I end up sitting in front of the screen mesmerized by a blinking cursor.

I figure somewhere out there, in these crazy mixed-up days, there must be some inspiration. The world was created by an amazing God. There's always amazing products of His creativity out there somewhere, right? So it's up to me to open my eyes to the little things, to see all the intricate aspects that make up the big picture. It's time to let my wandering focus run around outside for a little recess so I can pick up some ideas to cure my writers block.

Even if it has to wear layers.

8 comments:

Lori Stanley Roeleveld said...

You always need time to decompress and let your creative mind work without forcing it. Shopping isn't always the answer :) but staring at the cursor sure isn't! Follow the Wild Goose and re-create!

Ethan M. said...

Yeah...Life is hard like that. Should I play video games, read, play piano, workout, or surf the web? Man, my brain hurts just thinking about it.

Jennifer Valent said...

How about do your homework?!

Unknown said...

Hey, I'll go shopping with ya! Perhaps you just need some down-time to relax. Treat yourself to a pedicure, have a nice lunch, and do some shopping. All girls need it, and you've been going non-stop for a long time now. Time to step back and de-stress!

Rachel said...

Ah yes. I particularly don't enjoy getting finger cramps from stabbing the delete button over and over and over! That's enough to make anyone dash to the kitchen for some chocolate.

As for the weather, the midwest has been teasing us. One day it's in the seventies and that evening there was a chance of snow (No lie- that really happened)

Anyway, that was an amusing post. The blinking cursor line- a classic.

Jennifer Valent said...

Blakelyn, when you've got some free time, give me a call. I could use some shopping, although I'm pinching pennies along with everyone else these days. Which only serves to remind me how much I'm looking forward to yard sale season!

Rachel, I'm with you on the chocolate. I used to keep some next to my desk, but... big mistake! That blinking cursor says, "Take just one more piece. It won't hurt you." But my scale makes a liar out of the cursor every time...

And Lori, you're right. Shopping isn't always the answer, but somehow that wild goose always leads me to the mall. It's clearance season, after all! :)

Unknown said...

Oh man, I LOVE YARD SALES. I'm out every Sat morning. They've already started! I was out last weekend, and got a ton of books at a used book sale at a church on Pouncey Tract. Anyway, shopping or yard sales are good with me :). If only the rain would stop.

Ethan M. said...

Homework?! Don't remind me. Just got done with a load.