Every writer hits a wall
This week mine involved a plane stuck on a highway
I’ve had a dry spell.
I mean nothing. Nadda. Some weeks ago I wrote a tricky scene. A plane carrying my Elizabeth, my main character, landed on a highway and needed to transport a sick person to town.
For weeks, I couldn’t get the plane off the highway; then, last night—don’t you know—deep in the wee hours Elizabeth spoke.
I rolled over, mad as a hornet.
Where has she been?
For inspiration, I read three books by writers I admire. Got up each morning and did free-writes. Talked with friends. Studied whatever I could find to figure out why I went dry.
No help.
Tuesday, a poet friend took me to lunch and dished up a pep talk. Or, was it me trying to handle (not very well, mind you) the evil new electronic car?
That doesn’t make sense you say.
Hold on…
I spent several afternoons setting up and re-setting my car profile. Driving it. Experiencing the car’s rebellion. I was ready to make the journey to the dealership. Ready to give them the key, “Fix it and call me when it works.”
A sink into survival mode.
Woman against machine.
Machine winning.
“A first novel has challenges,” those that know say, “Don’t worry. You’ll get a rhythm.”
But, I did worry.
I wondered if writing a story was too much for me.
Maybe, Elizabeth has two left feet and this idea of a story will remain a stack of half-written pages.
We’ll see.
This morning Elizabeth had something to say and, after weeks of sitting on that hurricane-damaged highway, the plane took off.
Will the story hold into the next scene?
I’ll find out Monday morning when I hit the keyboard again.
Meanwhile, I’m pounding dough.
📰 📰 📰 BELOW THE FOLD 📰 📰 📰
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P.S.: A few of my writer friends will gather Monday, 9:30 am CST on March 16th, for a quick free-write. 15 minutes. You’re welcome to participate.
I’ll have several prompts for us or use what you like. No reading. No judging.
If you’d like to try it with us, here’s the link: https://luma.com/9jqhh0gs
You have first access.
Saturday I’ll put it in a note.