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I Don't Wanna Write Today

I'm tired today and I didn't plan well enough to have a blog post ready for this morning...so here I am, struggling to find something to write. I realize it's only day five of the challenge, but I am already struggling with topics. None of my mentor posts feel like something I could write today. I just want to skip today. I could write later in the day, but that always seems to get away from me. I feel like I've failed if I don't post first thing in the morning. So here I am, frustrated...with the challenge, but if I'm being honest, mostly with myself. This is why I'm here. Writing is hard. It's hard to show up every day. It's hard to be clever and interesting and creative on a daily basis...but I'm here. I have to be. This is what writers do. Writers struggle to write. It's not easy, but it's worth it. I hesitate to use "writer's block" to describe my experience this morning. A writer friend, Patti Digh, once told me and my students that there's no such thing as writer's block. She said that you must show up and do the work. Plumbers don't have plumber's block. That's ridiculous! She said, that's why she doesn't believe in writer's block. Show up and do the work.

And look...

I showed up. I complained. I whined, a little...but a post is written. It's not my best. It certainly isn't perfect, but the work got done. Writing is messy and hard, but I'm so glad that I showed up and wrote.

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Comments

  1. Terje March 5, 2017 at 8:31 AM

    Ha - plumber's block - I have to keep this in mind next time I am stuck with writing. Glad you got started and got your slice written in the morning.

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  2. Chris MargocsMarch 5, 2017 at 8:37 AM

    THANK YOU for posting this! I was feeling this way on day three, before I got the idea to write about my mom! And can I say that I am jealous of your connection with Patti Digh; love her books!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Leigh Anne EckMarch 5, 2017 at 9:17 AM

    Hopefully reading through some other slices will inspire you for tomorrow! Remember, "the writer who stays faithful will look back on her life with satisfaction." Keep showing up, and keep writing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Molly HoganMarch 5, 2017 at 9:19 AM

    A wonderful, honest reflection, Michelle! Think of it like this--you're precocious and just took care of the "I don't know what to write post" early. Perhaps it's selfish, but it's always reassuring to me to know that others are also struggling sometimes to "show up and do the work." Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Linda BMarch 5, 2017 at 10:37 AM

    I mess around in my head a lot, Michelle, wondering "what?" and "how?" before I start. You're not alone! I feel like I have to do a big sigh, then begin, I guess as you did today! Hurrah, you did do it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 5, 2017 at 10:47 AM

    And that is why we write....So we can appreciate how our students feel when we tell them they have to write...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jennifer LaffinMarch 5, 2017 at 5:46 PM

    This is all proof that you ARE a writer! Glad you pushed through today, friend!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Diane AndersonMarch 5, 2017 at 11:22 PM

    My dad was a plumber, so I find that line HILARIOUS! What is it about Day 5? I felt a little stuck today, too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. BKMarch 6, 2017 at 6:12 AM

    And there you go, Michelle. I like that notion that there's no such thing as writer's block even with it's tough. You are not alone, of course. Its a true challenge to write something interesting every day. I'm just about ready to try something for today. Hmmmm.
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete

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