It's that time of the year to be scared...and I don't have to look much further than my writing desk to feel the fear.Like Christy, I am afraid of not writing. I look at the great accomplishments of my author friends and I fear that I am letting time slip past me without being productive myself. My passion is creating children's books; why do I then struggle so when I sit down to write? How come I haven't accomplished as much as other people I know? Why aren't I using my time better?
And like Stephanie, I'm afraid that when I do write, I won't be able to write anything good. I've been fortunate enough to have a couple of successful books, but maybe I've run out of clever ideas. My mind doesn't feel as nimble as it once was. Whenever words don't come easily, I immediately fear that I'm in the early stages of Alzheimer's, the disease that overtook my father. Maybe I've lost the ability to write at all.
How sad and ironic that the fears themselves are often what stop me. Roosevelt made a pretty good point when he said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
5 comments:
I have complete confidence that you are going to keep coming up with fabulous ideas:)
I forgot about your wonderful pumpkins! This is the best I've seen. How about a Halloween graphic novel illustrated with your pumpkins?
I'm so sorry about the loss of your father through Alzheimer's. My uncle had it too, and it is scary to witness the progression of the illness.
William Stafford said he didn't get writer's block because his "standards were so low." I hope you and the rest of us potatoes will all give ourselves space and time to doodle, scribble, and scratch out whatever is in our hearts and minds.
David, I completely understand your alzheimer fears... Perhaps a picture book about fears with your fearful pumpkins-- what a wonderful image.
Like Christy, I have read and re-read William Stafford and his "low standards" kept his churning out 4 to 6 poems a day for all of his life.
I also have confidence in your writing and creative abilities-- your books astound me!
David,
I love that spooky jack-o-lantern, who looks like he could just swallow your writing fears, burn them up, and dispel them into the atmosphere--never to threaten you again!
Great post, David. Fering the well has run dry is something I can relate to, but your continued efforts and success are also an inspiration...
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