Wednesday, May 2, 2012

IWSG: Finding Inspiration



 Alex J. Cavanaugh is hosting another monthly meeting for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Be sure to visit the many talented authors and bloggers who offer their wisdom, encouragement and broad shoulders. 


She stared at the blank screen willing herself to focus, but nothing seemed to work. She thought a change of scenery might do her some good, and went out for a walk in the evening air. It was quite chilly, so she stopped in to warm up at a neighborhood pub. As she drank her coffee, she gazed around the room for inspiration. A moment later, Inspiration walked in the door.

 The writer stopped to check over the opening paragraph, before he hit the delete button. He knew he was better than this, and decided to start fresh tomorrow. Unfortunately, the problem was still there the next day, and the day after that.

Blogger Dysfunction or BD is commonly sweeping through the blogging community, and it's time we opened up about it. It starts out innocently over a few casual posts. After several warm receptions, a string of  meaningless ramblings ensue. Then you decide to check out the competition by offering
your undying devotion, until they return the favor. Euphoria takes over, and you continue to fill them with more promises of a lasting relationship. Unsuspecting, you move in for the next killer comment.

You keep them begging for more. One minute you're a comedian, and the next you're sensitive and caring. They leave satiated, and return the next day in the hope that it will be even more exciting than the blog before. Only the old blog is dusty and shriveled up. The muse is gone, and the mad month of merriment is over.

There is no cure for Blogger Dysfunction, and no little blue pill to lift you out of your rut. Both men and women fall victim to it, but with strength and guidance there is hope. Continue to visit other bloggers at a slower pace. Court them don't cavort them. Take long walks, cool showers, and start a new hobby. When you're relaxed and ready, the words will flow. 

Inspiration walked in the door, and their eyes met. "Why don't you slip out of your coffee stained cargo pantsuit, and I'll give you some of  this inspiration baby!"  On second thought, this BD is aiming to stay awhile.

                                                                                                                                       

29 comments:

  1. Sounds like a good way to beat BD. Thankfully it has not happened to me. Year and a half or so and still posting every day. Not sure how long it will work, but we shall see.

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  2. wow this is pretty hard stuff---great thoughts!

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  3. Hope I never hit that! Although maybe I have and no one is telling me...

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  4. Inspiration walked in the door, took one look at the writer and walked out again. Hosta La Vista Baaaaaby. I think we are all burned out right now from the A to Z Challenge.

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  5. Haven't hit that wall yet, thank goodness:)
    I thought I'd drop by to let you know that I'm giving you an award. You'll find it on my blog:)

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Thanks so much for the award Nutschell, and I enjoyed learning more about you today!

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  6. LOL, I laughed about the little blue pill. Are you sure there isn't one? Damn.
    I think I'm kind of in a blogger coma after the Challenge, it's like coming down from a sugar high.

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    1. Julie - That's exactly how it feels! This is my second attempt at the IWSG post for today, and the first one made even less sense. Thanks Julie

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  7. Pat - I don't think you'll ever have to worry about this! Congrats on your new book!

    Tonja - I hope you feel better. Thanks Tonja!

    Thanks Lynn!

    Alex - You are in no danger of that happening!

    Delores - You deserve to be burnt out! I also feel the same way, and I didn't write even write an A to Z cookbook! Julie

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    1. Correction - burned out. I rest my case.

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    2. Oh, and only one "even write." I'm afraid to see if I made any more mistakes!

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  8. Too funny! But I wanta know, who the heck goes to a pub to get a cup of coffee? I always order tea myself...

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  9. Ha! Loved the coffee stain cargo pantsuit.

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  10. *chuckles* Loved the tone in this piece.
    Tell me, how does one differentiate between a courter or cavorter?

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  11. What about going cold turkey - no Blogger at all?

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  12. How great, Julie! As A-Z was going on I really thought..... Hey I could write about just about anything. Kinda felt good about it too!

    Then I decided to take a few days off. Now I can't think of thing to put on my own blog! Talk about BD!

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  13. Susan - I suppose she could've ordered an Irish coffee, but it still wouldn't have helped this lousy story anyway! Stick with tea, you high class amateur radio operator!

    Thanks Yvonne!

    Lee - Hope you can get that sexy image out of your mind! Thanks Lee!

    Michelle - Courting is a more old fashioned approach to dating; whereas, cavorting implies some foul play. Is this a trick question? Thanks Michelle!

    Nancy - That's what I should've done with this post!

    Jen - I felt the same way, and this is the end result! I still have BD which is better than BO, but that's another story! The A to Z reflections post might be a good way for us to get out of this funk. It's something to think about. Thanks Jen!

    Libby - Are you sure you didn't mean deplorable? Thanks Libby! Julie

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  14. Julie, if you are suffering from BD, you're great at faking it! Loved this post, and you had me laughing out loud at the "cool showers" suggestion.

    xoRobyn

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    1. Robyn - You always say the nicest things! Hopefully, my BD will clear up soon! Thanks Robyn! Julie

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  15. That's the way it is. A new identity crisis every day.

    Yvonne S

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  16. I always LOVED your sense of humor, Julie! And this post certainly doesn't disappoint!

    Kudos to you and others who completed the A-Z Challenge. Awesome achievement!

    Just wanted to say thanks to someone who has always been so supportive. My best to you in your endeavors.

    Now, get busy writing......:)

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  17. Aha, I've absolutely no doubt you have been anxiously awaiting for one of my much loved and treasured comments. Then again...
    Now then, your blogs are a must read and I certainly wont leave an insincere, meaningless, rambling, incoherent comment in the hopes that I, yes shy and humble Gary, will get noticed and realise that all of a sudden, that BD is taking over my blogging.
    You know, I love those 'drive-by' bloggers. They leave a comment such as, "Great post and thanks for sharing. I follow your blog now!" Of course, my um cynical side thinks that they don't really care about my blog and just want to get more 'followers' on their site. Gosh....
    I just love it when a blogger apologises for not posting for a little while. I mean their posts are vitally important to my life. Me? I apologise for posting.
    Anyway, I have no idea what I just wrote. Enough about me and well done for a very clever posting.
    With respect and variety and weird ramblings, your way, Gary :)

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  18. Hey Julie.
    Check out my A to Z Reflections post (I'm linking it to this comment). I've given you a shout out!

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  19. I agree with Robyn - you'd never know you suffer from BD! :) I love your post, as always!

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  20. Yvonne - It does sound silly when you put it that way, but it's true!

    Bryce - I just read your blog, and I'm very sorry about your friend. I'm also sorry that you're retiring from blogging. Please let me know if you decide to come back under Bryce or your real name, and I'd love to hear more about your book. I noticed that you deleted the comments section, but I hope you'll come back to see this. I also tried sending you an email, but it didn't go through. Best of luck to you, and I also appreciate your good humor, and versatility in poetry and prose. Thank you for all of your support, and I hope to hear from you soon. Take care Bryce!

    Gary - I may have been guilty of a few unintentional "drive-bys" myself. I think that it's hard to stay in touch with everyone, and people just do the best they can. Thanks for stopping by Gary, and I appreciate your "weird ramblings" and encouraging remarks!

    Michelle - What an exceptional A to Z reflections post! Thanks for the shout out, and I can't wait to see what you write next!

    Talli - You always know the right thing to say! Talli, I also love your blog, and your books! I am in awe of all that you accomplish! Thanks Talli! Julie

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  21. Hilarious post! Thanks for sharing. I'll have to check out this insecure writer's group.

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  22. Love this, especially the 'little blue pill'! I popped by to read your A to Z reflections but they won't load. It could be just me, not sure.

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