This is my writing blog, where I will be shamelessly posting my work. Poems, short stories, flash fiction, extracts from novels...they'll all be here. And if you don't like any of that, just play with the tiger.

Wednesday 14 November 2007

Whine list

Before reading on, please be warned that I am being self-pitying and pathetic.

For various reasons, I haven't been able to do much with the blog lately. First, there is work. I'm currently stuck doing two people's jobs, and am beginning to feel the strain. This would be bearable - I don't mind working hard - but, because I often have to bring work home with me, my Open University course is suffering. I am going through the motions of studying, but nothing more. Fellow students are discussing topics (Katherine Mansfield at the moment) with a depth of understanding that is quite beyond me, and I feel utterly stupid and inadequate. Which isn't helped by the fact that I am doing no writing at all. I can feel the first stirrings of the urge to write: it is a quiet, thrumming build-up, not of words or plots or characters, but simply a need to daydream and imagine. And I can't. So I feel penned in and miserable, and there's no prospect of change in sight.

On the plus side, I did manage to do a three point turn during today's lesson, without causing irreparable damage to local kerbs.

4 comments:

Papoosue said...

Well done on the three point turn Viki!

I sympathise and empathise with the self-pitying and pathetic feelings. My course is suffering too, but unlike you I've no one to blame but myself. I have spent all morning writing 300odd words of rubbish. I'm waaaay behind with the exercises in the BRB - everyone else in my group is almost on chapter 7, I'm still working through 5 and I'm sure I missed some in chapters 2 and 3. I have no inspiration, no urge to write, and no ideas. Starting to panic.

Do you feel any better after my rant? No? Bugger. Still, that three point turn is something to be proud of - hurrah! ;-) Chin up Viki, you're not stupid OR inadequate and your writing is GREAT. I bet you will be turning out something fantastic before you know it. xxxxx

Viki Lane said...

Aw, thanks Sue - actually I do feel better. It's always good to know you're not alone, though of course I wouldn't wish your situation on you. It's so hard to write when you don't feel the urge - what about re-reading some of your previous exercises, and seeing if you can spark something off that way? Although it's a fantastic course, it's not always easy to do what it says when it tells you to do it. The creative mind just doesn't work that way. Don't give in to the panic, forget about everyone else, and just remember your love of words. You won't fail.

Good luck and thanks for your kind words.

xVx

Anonymous said...

*sends in the emergency lemsip chocolates*
xxxxx

Viki Lane said...

*inhales them; sends snuffly thanks*


With thanks to Graeme