It Happens to the Best of Us
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008Blog Catalog is clearly more than just a blog directory. It’s a place where blog authors can build friendships, exchange information, get help, and find inspiration. Members hail from across the globe, each of us bursting with our own thoughts and perspectives. We are all bound by the same thread: We blog…. and blog… and blog. The ability to express oneself in this form is, at times, exhilarating. With so much to be said, it’s no surprise the ‘discussions’ section of BC is ALWAYS active. But what happens when there is nothing more to say? Aside from being connected through Blog Catalog, there is one more thing members have in common.
At some point or another, we have all suffered from Writer’s Block.
I actually respect Writer’s Block because it doesn’t care how talented, funny, or knowledgeable you are. It’s like the IRS in a way: sooner or later EVERYBODY pays. This affliction has plagued me numerous times, leaving my well of ideas bone dry. Frustration has boiled my blood and salty tears of helplessness have fallen from my eyes. In complete despair, I have raised my eyes heavenward seeking an answer to
this…disease. Why me? Who exactly did I piss off and how can I make it right? I cannot explain the bitterness I have felt at my inability to cultivate ideas or the jealousy I have had of others, for whom ideas seemingly came easy.
Enter desperation.
At the moment, I have over 20 unpublished posts that practically reek “bottom of the barrel” (some would say the same for a few published ones, too). These were scribblings I fully intended to post if my dry spell did not end, posts that if offered to the public would surely get me tarred and feathered.
Because I frequently bask in the feeling of community here, I will bravely share a few of the incriminating titles:
“Ode to My Slowcooker” - Wherein I write poetry describing this most wondrous of inventions. When people ask, “What can you make in a slowcooker?” I respond with, “Deliciousness.”
“Battle of the Curd” - It starts off: Once again husband and wife are engaged in a deadly battle of wills. Both refused to throw out the spoiled milk someone left on the counter. After the horrific Cheddar Cheese Fiasco of 2006, neither intended to give in to the other…
“Lamentations on Human Anatomy, or: 10 Reasons Why Long Fingernails are Useful” - This was a particularly bad day.
“Why Jubilee Should Never Have Been an X-Men” - Honestly, she sucks.
“Dear NBC” - A letter to the network begging for the return of “Cavemen”. I liked that show.
“Members Only” - A passion-filled display of affection in memory of a certain jacket once considered the height of fashion.
“The Private Lives of Toys in Mint Condition” - What your collectibles do when you leave home.
“The Upside-down e” - Punctuation that’s finger lickin’ good.
… and the list goes on.
I hope to never publish anything listed here, I already tempted fate with “What Would You Do If Darkseid Stole Your Car?” I shudder to think what other sorts of posts might slip through my fingers during this darkest of times. And while I’m not exactly proud of some of these pieces, they did lead me to better things.
Writer’s Block is a monster that needs to feed on innocent creativity from time to time. When you are one of its poor victims, it is important to hang on to whatever motivates you to share your ideas with others. Whether you need to take a walk, listen to music, spend time on the BC threads or write pure nonsense, never give in to it. Do whatever it takes to keep the idea machine chugging along. And NEVER EVER post in desperation, like drunk-dialing, you always live to regret it.
**Photo by PPDIGITAL
JillSaxon, an active member of the blogcatalog community, is a 25 year old married woman who likes only meat, cheese and ketchup on her burgers. Her blog, The Loquaciously Verbose Ramblings of 1 Slacker is a source of personal thoughts, observations, memories and opinions.
April 22nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Hey, I’d actually like to read some of those “bottom of the barrel” posts…so get crackin’!!!
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I have so many posts in draft mode that won’t make the muster as well. But you never know, sometimes inspiration finds a way, months later.
Oh…and people… go read Jill’s blog, her last two posts (2 parter) are hilarious.
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Random- LOL… you would?? You’re awesome. I will admit to tinkering with them a little bit here and there! :-O
Monkey Tale- Hey you’re right. I thought I was wasting my time with these (and I probably was), but they did lead to something better! Also, thanks for the support! MUCH appreciated!
April 22nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
sometimes the bottom of the barrel holds the best stuff..I have scrapped a lot of drafts and then gone back and looked at them again and with a tweak or two they turned out well
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Very true post! I’ve found when I don’t feel like writing (it’s a sort of rebellion for me), I switch directions and do something entirely different. Suddenly, ideas come to me. It usually happens when I’m doing mundane household chores like vacuuming, washing dishes. As you may imagine, I have a pretty clean house!
Sometimes, when I reach down into the bottom of the barrel (really down so that I get splinters in my fingers), I actually find ideas that aren’t half bad. I bet it’s the same for you. I’d like to read your “Lamentations…”
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Well, look at you,all fancy and being written about! Well deserved too, I must add. You go, Jillian!
Now, about Caveman…are you serious??? OMG!
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Robert- That’s awesome. I think if I ever finished these…lol.. I would might be too embarassed to publish them. Maybe.
Keli- LOL… Yeah I hope that “Lamentations..” posts NEVER sees the light of day! Also, you’re right about ideas coming at the strangest times. I mean sometimes while I’m in the bathroom… BAM!
April 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 am
I’d also love to read those bottom of the barrel posts, they sound like fun. Battle of the curd definitely sounds interesting and I think should be written up as fast as you can.
April 23rd, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Carl- LOL… thanks Carl. You’re a good sort! I MAY finish it yet!
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
dude…this was the PERFECT post for Writers Block. I cant tell you how many drafts I have sitting, taunting me, unfinished….or how many joke/email posts I write just to keep my blog active…..I can fully appreciate every word of this article.
Well Done woman. Well done indeed.
xxoo
xxoo
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Cool post Jillian
this is so true of writer’s block.
It’s like the IRS in a way: sooner or later EVERYBODY pays. I don’t have it too much when I’m blogging, but more so when I’m writing a book. It’s not even writers block, it’s more like writer’s neighborhood. It done grew into a nasty community of people made up of backed up blockage.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Meleah Rebeccah- Awesome and thanks! I have been tempted to throw up a video… several times in fact, but so far I have resisted that AND the posts listed here! Whew!
Natural- LOL.
April 24th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
I checked how many posts I have in draft mode and there is 40 of them, although more than half have only one word and its like a cryptic puzzle that even I don’t understand.
I have loved all your posts that have made it to the status of published
April 29th, 2008 at 4:43 am
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