Block-breaking

A synopsis of the conversations I have had with myself lately:

Mandy, you haven't written anything in a few days.

I know.

How come?

I can't. I have writer's block.

I don't understand. Why can't you write?

I don't really know.

You are a writer! You are supposed to write!

Thanks. I know this.

Okay, okay. No reason to get frustrated. Just trying to keep you accountable, here.

(Sarcastically) Gee, thanks.

All right, I'm not going to talk to you anymore if you take that tone.

Good. Go away. Leave me alone.

Fine! (Door slames, footsteps retreat down the hall)

... As a result of this sad little conversation with myself, I started thinking about why I haven't written, why I am telling myself I can't write.

Here's what I've come up with: I am too smart. No, seriously. I am too smart for my own good. Too critical for my own good. I don't want to write something terrible, so then I just don't write.

This is pretty silly. For one, hardly anyone reads this blog; therefore, no one really cares how bad my writing is. Secondly, if I wait for a brilliant idea to come so I can write it on here it will never come, and I will never write. Thirdly, if I am writing only to impress all of you - yes, all 3 of you - then I am no writer at all.

So, I am putting an end to this writer's block. I am knocking down the wall between my brain and the good ideas. I am breaking down the blocks (blocks = writer's block. Ha! Get it?! Nevermind.) that only build on my insecurities and laziness. I will continue to write!

I knew when I made this commitment to begin writing again, and to continue writing on a consistent basis, I would inevitably encounter some walls, some blocks, some hurdles. It comes with the territory.

So, now, consider block #1 to be broken.