As I drove Isabel to school this morning, an unexpected wave of sadness engulfed me. The song I was listening to must have triggered it, the reference point was something real, but the train of thought went off in a fictional direction. I started thinking of harnessing the sadness and writing a story about people who would be considered ordinary, living what would most of us consider ordinary lives, who actually aren't all quite there. I thought of the main plot points, I even pictured specific scenes. But I struggle to come up with the actual words. I fear I am flat and laconic in my expression nowadays, and that I will struggle to convey the complexity of these characters.
Maybe I just need to stop whining and get cracking on the story. I have been dreaming up variations of this for some time now, and always stop short of actually writing the thing. I wish I could have some time off to write. Maybe I need to take a weekend off from house and family, or a couple of vacation days from work. Sort of like an accelerated writer's retreat, where instead of a long sabbatical to write a novel, you get two days off to crank out a short story. Could be a good idea, if I get my husband to agree to keep the girls. I would have to go away, though. If I stay in the familiar space of my home nothing will get done.
Here is a suggestion that works for me. Have a micro recorder with you at all times, it can come very useful when you start thinking about a story.
ReplyDeleteI bought one two years ago and it sits in a drawer in my home office. I always forget to carry it with me.
ReplyDelete"Maybe I just need to stop whining and get cracking on the story."
ReplyDeleteI could stand to do the same thing.
Oh, please do it, Ingrid. It sounds like your muse is calling to you. You need to get that story out!
ReplyDelete