Last weekend I was feeling very insecure. I told my husband I needed a meeting (this meeting actually, not the other kind). I told him I wasn't sure my writing is ever going to be good enough. He said he was sure it is. I said, "But I haven't written in a week."
I know I'm not alone in the thing where the insecurities are a little more brutal during a long break from writing. I've seen The Shining.
My husband, who isn't a writer at all, made a great analogy. He told me writers are like fairies, the Nickelodeon kind. On Fairly Odd Parents, fairy godparents get very sweaty and then explode into confetti if they go too long without giving wishes. It's called Magical Build-Up.
After the fairies explode from not using their magic wands, they end up in a pile on the floor like Wanda.
That's exactly how I felt. So I wrote two chapters and immediately felt better.
* * * * *
This post is part of Alex J. Cavanaugh's Insecure Writer's Support Group, monthly group therapy/group hug for writers.
I need a magical build-up. I have been a little unmotivated myself. I could blame it on the vacation, but I won't. That was supposed to rejuvenate me.
ReplyDeleteGood point. I think we all feel that way too.
DeleteGlad you feel better! Just don't explode on us.
ReplyDeleteIt's just confetti. :)
DeleteIt's so true. If I go too long without writing I get very, very agitated. Haven't exploded yet, but I could see how it might happen. :)
ReplyDeleteI was definitely on the verge of exploding.
DeleteHa, ha, ha!! I remember that episode! I suppose the reverse is true, too. You can't squeeze any magic out of the wand when you've overused it. (Wait a minute, that sounds like bad porno ... I didn't mean it that way.) Perhaps as writers, we need to allow a little bit of magical build up, so that we can produce better work. In other words, breaks are allowed and sometimes a helpful thing.
ReplyDeleteBack to trying to shake some magic out of my wand. (Ooops, there I go again.)
Eww. I guess maybe that other image was there in the cartoon too and I didn't get it.
DeleteRemember all those AC/DC songs with references to explosions? I didn't get those either.
Exploding Fairies - that doesn't sound good. I've heard of Tangle fairies, Soother fairies (whatever works)and a few others that we mothers have made up, but I didn't know faires could explode.
ReplyDeleteKeep yourself 'together' and keep writing. The angst will pass.
What I love about Fairly Odd Parents is they make up the rules (Da Rules) about fairies as they go. I'd love to write for a show like that. They just explode into confetti. No blood or guts because they aren't real - or are they?
DeleteHa! I LOVE your husband's analogy. I'm so glad you got two chapters out before exploding... ;)
ReplyDeleteMe too. I was close.
DeleteYou made me laugh, Tonja!
ReplyDeleteThen my work is done. :))
DeleteLOL. What a great analogy! And I'm happy the immediate writing release relieved some of that surmounting pressure. I tend to get angry/frustrated when I can't write or I'm in a writing slump. I am going to remember this one, though--I don't want to end up as a figurative pile of floor-goo!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post :)
I've read that writers that aren't writing are unhappy people, people who turn into drunks or are just mean or grumpy or like that guy in The Shining. So we should do the world a favor and just write. :)
DeleteWOW, your man is incredibly supportive. That's awesome. Mine is too, but in other ways. And you got back to it and wrote 2 chapters. That's great. Have a happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteHe really is. And he watches a lot of tv with my little guy too. :)
DeleteGlad you didn't explode! Great idea to use that energy to write 2 chapters! Julie
ReplyDeleteIt was close. :)
DeleteWe'd better go write, huh?
ReplyDeleteHeehee! I feel like those fairies sometimes too. I get all built up, then explode! But... in a good way. :D Great post!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the writers for the show have the same feeling when they aren't working. :) Wouldn't that be an awesome job - writing cartoon episodes? I can think of nothing better.
DeleteI consulted with my son on the fairy. He says it's from the cartoon, The Fairly Odd Parents. (I knew he'd recognize it!)
ReplyDeleteAnd please don't explode!
that is so funny! i thought of that analogy the other day when that episode came on!
ReplyDeletewe need to get out the words!
That is funny. I wonder if my husband was watching it when you were.
DeleteHappy exploding, my dear Tonja!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to say I am in one piece. And my husband agreed to give me two hours to write in the evening on days I don't find time in the morning. (Don't tell, but I only need an hour.)
DeleteOk. You just freaked me out. I will get some writing done tonight, for sure. That is so funny that you mentioned The Shining. I always thought when I get into those moods when I want to write, but nothing comes out, that it would be great to be able to check into a place like The Outlook for the winter minus Jack's fate.
ReplyDeleteAll work and no play....
Deletee love Fairly Odd Parents at our hose. Great show. And they have wormholes in it too!
ReplyDeleteI really miss Jimmy Neutron. That was my favorite for sure.
DeleteMy wife has already informed me that she's not picking up my mess if I explode! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. I agree, you should clean up after yourself!
DeleteI haven't written any creative fiction in the past three years. Think I better do so before I explode, too.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need to get busy. That's a lot of build-up.
DeleteYour husband is so smart! I'm always up and down about my ability to write - it's normal to be insecure, lol! But you did get back to writing and practice makes perfect. And perfection is subjective...
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely less secure when I'm not writing every day. I think it's because I really like doing it, so the negatives don't pop in. Kind of like a force field.
DeleteThat is a great analogy. As far as taking a week off, you just have to ride the waves of creative peaks and valleys. I'm sure your writing is great.
ReplyDeleteNot writing for a week wasn't by choice - kids and family and the pile of laundry and a headache got in the way. All I wanted to do was write.
DeleteGee, I hope I don't explode into confetti. I'd better go write something ;)
ReplyDeleteHow brilliant is it that they explode into confetti and not something else? :)
DeleteGreat analogy -- though I'd rather not be compared to a fairy. Bradbury's quoted as saying something similar, that he felt like he'd just explode if he didn't get down some words (usually 1,000) for the day.
ReplyDeleteThe head fairy on the show is like an army guy and is definitely based on Schwarzenegger.
DeleteI'm so impressed by your husband's analogy, that's perfect. So glad you got some writing done and felt better, it seems that almost always works.
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your Shining reference, yikes. :D
I love that analogy - what a great husband you have. He's definitely a keeper! :-)
ReplyDeleteHa! Now I feel better too! Thank your husband for me!
ReplyDeleteHeather
HA! Now I feel better too! Thank your husband for me! Keep writing. Heather
ReplyDelete