Recently, you may have noticed, dear readers, I haven’t written a column in a while. Have I been wrapped up in my spare time fighting crime that never seems to make the news, wandering the streets with a constant lust for justice and pair of samurai swords ever at the ready? Have I been slaving away in the garage with a pound of stolen uranium working on a viable warp core while convincing my Middle Eastern suppliers I have a more sinister purpose in mind? Unfortunately, neither of these are true. I’m chalking it up to good, old-fashioned writer’s block.
So in writing this column, I tossed around a few ideas. Should I talk about how bratty kids seem to be in television shows and commercials lately? Child behavior in media isn’t a bad topic. Should I discuss how people on opposite ends of political spectrums seem to come together for small farm gardening? I may have met enough people in these categories to note some observations.
Before getting to that point, I thought I’d write on just getting back in the habit. I’ve seen two schools of thought on writing, as far as how much and when it should happen. The first says one should write when inspired. The second says you should never not be writing. Maybe you’re not a writer. Maybe your creative talent lies elsewhere. I think this discussion still includes you.
Writing for a muse is great because when it strikes, I feel I’ve got some brilliant idea that could become the next Cujo or Odd Thomas. While I’m waiting, I can simply say my muse hasn’t visited me lately, but I can still call myself a writer (or artist or musician or jewelry maker for those playing along at home).
However, an old friend reminded me of a simple truth recently. Writers write. Writing without inspiration seems daunting, but I feel it’s a sort of training for our brains, working that creative muscle. “Don’t be a slave to your muse,” I’m telling myself perhaps more than you, dear reader. Don’t wait for it to come flitting round your head. Drag it by the throat to your desk and tell it to start spilling its guts. Start asking questions and write everything down. Start with your own dry spell. Why haven’t you written lately? Even if you only make it halfway through an idea, it’s a start.
The other great help to a writer is someone to keep you on track, like a coach, or trainer, or in my case an editor. I have the luxury of having a boss who tells me I need to get back on the ballpoint, so to speak. If you need some encouragement, find it. Ask friends or family. Find a writer’s group in the area or on the Internet. Do not regret a dream you could have realized.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Interrogate your muse