Without going into specifics, I’ve been gifted a couple of possible publishing opportunities. Ever since these opportunities fell in my lap (and I’m not even sure they will actually materialize) I’ve found it nearly impossible to write anything.
Even emails.
Even blogs.
But I have a couple of ideas, and maybe now that the first issue of the newspaper is behind me (we met deadline last Thursday!) I’ll have a little more spare time to write–even if it’s crappy.
But what I really need to do to knock me out of it is read a little more Anne Lamott:
“Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor, the enemy of the people. It will keep you cramped and insane your whole life, and it is the main obstacle between you and a shitty first draft. I think perfectionism is based on the obsessive belief that if you run carefully enough, hitting each stepping-stone just right, you won’t have to die. The truth is that you will die anyway and that a lot of people who aren’t even looking at their feet are going to do a whole lot better than you, and have a lot more fun while they’re doing it.” –from Bird by Bird
Soren and I have been reading Falling Up by Shel Silverstein and this one made me think of your predicament:
Writer Waiting
Oh this shiny new computer—
There just isn't nothin' cuter.
It knows everything the world ever knew.
And with this great computer
I don't need no writin' tutor,
'Cause there ain't a single thing that it can't do.
It can sort and it can spell,
It can punctuate as well.
It can find and file and underline and type.
It can edit and select,
It can copy and correct,
So I'll have a whole book written by tonight
(Just as soon as it can think of what to write.)
Good luck getting out of your funk!