Taking the muse for a long awaited walk
Part of the reason I have been posting less is I’ve been thinking about my approach to blogging. Lately, I have written little and there hasn’t been a lot to say. I’m not that inspired to write about writing seeing as I’m not actually doing it. And there is only so many ways I can say Israel is the problem and it has no right to exist. I’ve been reading Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger and have found his posts very useful in trying to make my blog more interesting.
I’ve been thinking that I’ve written myself into a style of blogging unconsciously, and lately, when I’ve thought of something to say, I’ve held back, fearing it didn’t match this ‘style’ I feel I’ve forged for myself, though I can’t quite define it. So, if visitors, who’ve visited and read this place more than once, could leave a comment with their impressions about the style and tone of this blog, I’d be most grateful. Also, I plan to bite the bullet and throw the image I’ve unconsciously created for this blog and write about what I please, and how I please. 
Also, another reason for my lack of posting: I’ve been writing. Yes, I’m sure people have fallen off their chair in shock, spat coffee over the monitor (sorry, I’ll pay out compensation when I’m a bestselling author) or you’re just staring at the screen with this blank look of shock. So, in light of Darren’s list challenge, I’m going to list some things that contributed to the waking of my muse (or writing demon, if you prefer):
- Fountain pen: I bought this fountain pen on a whim from the stationary store across the road from a bus stop near my employment agency. It wasn’t pricey, but it looked real nice and I’ve always had a fascination with fountain pens. When I got home, I was dying to use it.
- Pen and paper instead of computer: I mostly write on the computer, but in times of crisis, a change of habit can do wonders. With new fountain pen in hand, a wad of paper on the table, and no Internet connection, writing seemed to open to me again and the romantic nature of writing with pen and paper seemed to inspire me. Again, my fountain pen is very cool, indeed.
- Freewriting: I mentioned in a previous post that getting the first sentences down were the hardest. What was this first magical sentence I was going to write? I had no clue, so with no goal or project in sight, I just narrated what was going on around me. One sister not happy with her maths homework and my other sister visiting sites such as bigfatbaby.com. Pretty soon, my hand and mind had warmed up to the task of writing again and I was away.
- Lack of commitment: When I began to pen some first pages of a tentative new novel last week, there didn’t seem to same commitment, the same finality of writing to the computer. With this frame in mind, my inner editor didn’t seem game enough to rear her snarky head. I just wrote without much consideration of how good it was. And my feeling is, the writing is usually much better, more confident, when you’re not so worried about every sentence being poetic and perfect.
The end was result was a few pages of a new novel about an aboriginal man, and I finished the first draft of the abattoir short. Also, it gave me something to post about 
Now, I need to let ‘the abattoir short’ sit for a bit, and when I’m ready, I’ll get to editing it into a condition for submission.
Technorati Tags: writing, blogging, voice, lists, ProBlogger, fountain pen, freewriting, novel writing, short story,
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I love fountain pens. I would dearly love to get one of the true, antique ones with silver filigree and all that. I have a lovely little one that I use to write in all my journals with. I fill it with turquoise ink. Pen and paper are really superior to the computer. There is a connection there that the machine lacks.
As to your blog, I think you should forget tone, style, etc. and write what’s important to you. If it’s about your sister’s neon shoelaces talking to you, then write that. If it’s about the mailman delivering mail, write it.
Glad to hear that you are writing. That is probably the best excuse for not blogging. Also, you should write about whatever you want at your blog and not hold back.
I actually gave up my old domain for that exact reason. I felt trapped in my own blog. And, watching the lambast that happens when you *gasp!shock!* change a little is no fun.
[...] Taking the muse for a long awaited walk by Benjamin [...]
Oooo, a new pen is always inspiring! Great list! Our list is up if you’d like to look – http://lilduckduck.com/ducky-moments-in-time/240
Have a great day!
[...] Taking the muse for a long awaited walk by Benjamin [...]
That’s my number 2!!! using the time to write a book…..
http://joshmaher.wordpress.com/2006/08/14/top-ten-reasons-you-should-not-blog/trackback/
I always write for at least 20 minutes non-stop, even if it’s junk. Because the good stuff doesn’t even begin until the muse is warmed up.
I want to see a picture of this pen! I love writing. I wrote a novel by hand years ago, before I got into computers. I loved sitting and writing it out. My fingers fly across a keyboard though and I can get my words down as they come to my mind! Good luck!
Jayne and Fred: Thanks, I’m also going to allow myself to write shorter posts if the need comes for it. I’m not sure whether people want to read shorter posts.
Veronica: I think my restrictions are self-imposed. I don’t think my readers would revolt against me if I loosened up a bit. It’s a shame they did to you.
Graham: I really think this warming up thing could do wonders for me and instead of just doing it to get myself out of a block, I might make it a permanent part of my writing routine.
Jersey Girl: Thanks, I will try to post a pic of this great pen of mine, when the computer behaves. I really can’t say for certain whether I’ll write the whole novel by hand. What happened to this novel, of yours?
I do a lot of my first drafts with pen and paper – somehow most of my stories seem to flow better that way, at least when it comes to getting them out of my head so that I can work on them.
If you ever need a quick bit of creative inspiration, stop by and visit us.
http://www.yourcre8tivity.com/
[...] Taking the muse for a long awaited walk by Benjamin [...]
There is nothing like placing pen to paper. It is more intimate, somehow, than typing on a keyboard. On the negative side, typing lets your words keep up with your flow of thought. To me, the inner censor is less vigilant since the labor involved in typing is much less than writing by hand.
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[...] “That’s okay, my smiling sweet one,” Jean smiled. “Soon we’ll be Taking the muse for a long awaited walk. [...]
As a writer and author, I am all too familiar with “sleeping muses”. Great ideas. I’d add go for a walk to the list. It’s a sure-fire way for my muses to come back home!
I’ve included your post in my Top 10 from ProBlogger’s How-To Contest. To see the other nine, click here!.
I can definitely second walking, and train trips too. Anything that forces you to be alone with your thoughts helps big time.
Thanks for adding me to your list. I feel pretty special
“And there is only so many ways I can say Israel is the problem and it has no right to exist.”
Please stop saying such foolish things which impede the two state solution which the suffering endorse as a quicker and more feasible end, one that can come without the deaths of thousands more children of Palestine. Such an extreme and divisive stance is what the Zionists seek to expand and manipulate for their gain.
Sorry, I’ll continue to say such things as long as the racist state of Israel exists. The suffering in Palestine do not support the two state solution, only the leadership of the movement.
The two state solution will not work because, even though the Palestinians will gain back some of their land, Israel will always be right next door and these people will not be able to live independently from this racist state. They will always be faced with harassment with the assistance of the US.
Just look at Lebanon. It’s an independent state and yet it still suffers the wrath of Israel, in the form of their whole country being fucking blown up.
There’s a great book (if someone’s already mentioned it, sorry; I’m skimming this morning) by Julia Cameron, called The Artist’s Way. She talks about God being the Creator, and that when we are being Creative, we are Creations of God acting creatively. She writes a lot about Writer’s Block, and how to avoid people who detour your focus. She calls them “crazymakers.” Just thought I’d mention it. Take care, Lou.
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