Just Keep Swimming.
10/8/2011 5:04:20 PM
I am having a sofa/hot chocolate moment. In fact, I have had a sofa/hot chocolate moment all week.
This time last week, I was in a tee-shirt and shorts, sitting on the beach, thinking nothing of the fact many people were splashing about in the sea. What a difference seven days can make. I have just switched on the heating.
I am not so keen on this weather – it turns my nails blue and leaves me with a desire for syrup sponge puddings (yes, in the plural) and cable-knit woolies, which is unfortunate, since I cannot tolerate wool. It also leaves me with less disposable energy, the bulk being used for keeping warm. The net result is a loss of productivity, hence the delay in getting my blog out, and for that I apologise.
This will be an interesting season for me; I am more determined than ever to become a published author but am spending my first winter on reduced medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis. One of the symptoms of RA is fatigue and what with fighting the cold weather, I had it in bucket loads this week. The term I used on Twitter was ‘swimming through treacle’. Back to the sponge puddings, then.
I hadn’t realised how much energy is required for writing, after all, I simply sit at my desk or on a comfy sofa and push a pen or tap some buttons. The sitting part I can do and did exceptionally well Monday through to Friday; it was the actual writing with which I struggled. My tired mind could not string two sentences together.
This was noticeable at Off The Cuff, the writing group I attend, when both my submissions for the morning were, quite frankly, a load of tosh. I’m not suggesting I produce masterpieces on a regular basis, if at all, but this week, my spark had definitely gone out.
How do writers overcome this?
My solution was to go to bed and sleep, or slump on the sofa and watch programmes I wouldn’t normally watch – I particularly liked one on Beeb 2 about the history of rooms – it was fascinating. These non-activities certainly restored some energy, but inspiration was still lacking. It wasn’t until yesterday evening, when I was chatting with my long-suffering friends, that I began to feel able to put pen to paper.
My friends shared their honeymoon stories and their chocolate – true friends indeed – and made me laugh so much, I became energised and inspired. We have the beginnings of a romantic comedy. I’m not sure how that’s going to pan out, as I have never tried my hand at romcom, but humour can get us through the toughest times.
Some new Twitter friends also lifted my spirits this week by reminding me that if something made me happy, then it was worth the effort. And writing makes me happy.
So, this is what I have learned; a kind word, love and laughter and chocolate will help me overcome pretty much anything.
As will syrup sponge puddings.