Hard as I’ve been trying to write today, I think it’s time to confess that my brain turned to mush before I even managed to leave the house this morning. Sure, it was firing well enough to do some editing and crank out a couple of emails, but it just wasn’t in a place today to do any heavy lifting. If you spend enough time writing, you’re going to have days like that now and then. It’s always good when they show up on days that don’t require that much editorial horsepower, though, since needing to write and not being able to squeeze anything out ranks right up there with any other kind of constipation on the ol’ Annoy-O-Meter. Since the week looks like it’s going to be more about exerting editorial influence than actually creating anything new or interesting, it might just be a good idea that it’s getting a period of pronounced mush out of the way now instead of showing up later when I really have something to say.
As a reader, I’m sure these occasional bouts of brain cramping are even less interesting for your as they are for me, but since there’s no real solution other than slogging through them, I’ll just keep plugging away until I hit on something that resonates. In the meantime, I think the best course of action is to find some mindless drivel on television and let the gray matter get some rest.
JEFFREYTHARP.COM 
Hello there. I know how you feel. I have been creatively “constipated” for quite some time now. I’ve written only 2 pages for my new novel, and now that I’ve started blogging, I have one more reason (excuse) not to continue working on it.
There’s no better excuse for not working on a book than needing to churn out a few hundred more words for your blog… fortunately the reverse excuse works just as well. Believe me. It’s how I justify procrastination and letting a story sit for a week at a time in my own head on a semi-regular basis. 🙂
I’m writing a novel each month this year, and I so totally understand what you’re talking about. Give yourself a few days away – as many as you can afford. Think of it like when you’ve worked out and you need to let your muscles rest.
The tricky thing is to start back up again.
Hope your brain gets well soon!
Thanks! A novel a month? I’ve got to say that’s an impressive task you’ve set up for yourself. On my best day I can usually only managed 2000 words and that’s split between a couple of blogs and a book or two I’m tinkering around with. It’s usually just a case of needing to work on something different for a few days. That’s the up side of blogging and working on a book at the same time. When I really need a rest from one, there’s usually always something else that could use some attention and give a different part of my brain a workout. Of course the blog has the added benefit of being the direct outlet to vent when something stupid happens, so it doesn’t stay dark for too long around here. 😉
My goodness – you keep yourself plenty busy. 2,000 words is admirable regardless of the ultimate goal.
I can’t say exactly why I’ve decided to do this piece of performance art – mostly to say I did it, I think. Should shave a good piece off the learning curve too.