The Writing Session

Here’s how a writing session sometimes goes for me:

Sit down at desk and turn on laptop. Open Word and current story file. Read the last few paragraphs to get into the groove. Doesn’t work. Fire up Google Chrome and check Facebook. Click a few “likes”, add a comment or two, update my status. Go back to Word document. Type a paragraph that will probably be deleted tomorrow. Answer Skype video call from daughter. Say hi to grandsons, blow kisses, make funny faces, say goodbye. Make myself a cup of tea. Go back to Word document. Edit the paragraph I just wrote. Stare at the computer monitor. Change a character’s name. Change it back. Drink my tea. Answer text from other daughter. Write in journal. Read the news online. Check the weather forecast. Turn up the heat in office. Go back to Word document. Get a brainwave. Write two pages. Reward self with an ice cold diet Coke that I have to go downstairs to get. Notice messy kitchen. Clean it up. Husband comes home and wants dinner. End of writing day.

Oh come on, don’t go shaking your finger at me. You know exactly what I’m talking about because it’s happened to you.

But deep down inside you know that there is something taking place. A story has been conceived and it is growing in there. You are breathing life into characters who’ve never existed before and you, yes YOU, are the only one who can give them substance. They are waiting for you. They’re nudging each other and smiling because they know it won’t be long before you release them to take their places in the pages of a wonderful tale.

Hold on to that when you feel distracted. Remember why you are writing. YOU CAN DO THIS! Don’t let it go. And don’t give up. You’re the only one who can tell that story.

Hmmm . . . I think I just got an idea for that twist in the plot.