Tuesday Thoughts

Posted: Tuesday, January 30, 2007 by Travis Cody in
12

See, here's the thing. I was ridiculously busy all day yesterday. But right in the middle of the day, eight lines started rolling through my head. That was a pleasant surprise, and of course I wrote them down quickly.

I rearranged a couple of things and tweaked a phrase, and suddenly I had two pretty good stanzas. Excellent!

But now it goes off track. No more words came through the day, and I was so busy I couldn't really think about it. I put the paper in my briefcase and brought it home.

I was pretty pleased to be writing something new. And I figured I'd finish it up last night. So I typed the lines into a shiny fresh new Word doc. And I stared at them. And stared at them. And stared at them.

I made dinner. I ate. I fed Mr Tucker. And I came back and stared at the words.

For cripes sake.

It's like a point that vanishes when you look directly at it. The eight lines came from somewhere. There must be more lines in that place. Where the hell is that place?

I don't set out to write a poem. Maybe that's the problem.

So, there are eight lines. Just eight lines on the page. Well, eight lines plus the two I forced that make no sense.

Sheesh.

12 comments:

  1. Liz Hill says:
    30 January, 2007 05:01

    Oooooo I wanna see I wanna see! Damn Trav I know that EXACT sense of frustration. It took me the entire day to write my "little tidbit" (as Bond called it)which you well know considering the late hour at which I emailed it to you. And there is a 'next part' but getting it out of my head is the hard part. Thanks for all your help and kind words. I'll reciprocate, especially if you throw in a little of that high thigh (mmm) action.

    Thanks buddy, love ya

    SMOOCH

  1. Desert Songbird says:
    30 January, 2007 08:30

    I can absolutely relate, which probably explains why I haven't sold a magazine article on over a year!

    Sigh. I need to get my act together.

  1. Anndi says:
    30 January, 2007 09:18

    Just keep writing, keep what comes out. Someday you may pick it up again and it will come to life once more.

    I'm not a writer, I don't feel the angst you do when things don't come out.

    Why put pressure on the creative process? I read and watched as so many of you started posting works in progress on your blogs, copyrighting what you wrote and wondered: if I sometimes feel the pressure to find something to post, to have the time to sit and write, to make the rounds of what these wonderful people I have come to love write, how do they sit there and churn something out week after week?

    Don't lose sight of one thing.. you are an excellent writer, my Chicklet told me so.

    You touch us with your thoughts, your comments, your.. wait did you just pinch me?

    Mommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyy!!! He's touching me again!

    I love you bro... just keep writing it down, it will all come together. You know, I suspect writing is like falling in love, it takes a long time sometimes... to find the right one... but what comes from it is worth the wait.

  1. JAM says:
    30 January, 2007 12:52

    Stupid Muse! Shows up unexpected, and then leaves right when you're getting somewhere.

    As far as my blog goes, I've actually had to sit and write a couple of Here-I-sit-with-nothing-really-to-say posts. Embarrassing.

    Poetry is a bit out of my range, well since I've been married, I wrote mushy love poems to my then intended, so I can't really help you here.

    But I know the feeling. I think butt glue is the secret to getting things written, but sometimes the inspiration strikes and it's like magic. Then it's gone and you're left wanting more.

    On second thought, I think maybe the lines you're missing can be found wherever it is that missing socks go.

  1. Julie says:
    30 January, 2007 15:06

    It will come back to you when you least expect it.

  1. TopChamp says:
    30 January, 2007 15:53

    Good luck with it. I'm lacking in inspiration myself at the mo.

    I've put a picture up just for you though - Might cheer you up.

  1. Travis Cody says:
    30 January, 2007 17:05

    Turn: Well, you can see if I ever get the dang thing finished.

    DS: I thought I had my act together, but then they changed the name of the play.

    Ann: Tattle-tail!!! Thanks for the support.

    Jam: It just makes me crazy, knowing I have the story but unable to get it out of my head.

    Julie: Hugs baby!

    TC: Woo-hoo!! Pics for me!

  1. Vinny "Bond" Marini says:
    30 January, 2007 18:48

    Trav... walk away
    don't think about it
    it will come

    yes I called it a tidbit... but do not make it sound like a putdown

  1. Anndi says:
    30 January, 2007 18:55

    Anytime bro.. anytime!

    Love you more than you know what...

  1. John Holland says:
    30 January, 2007 20:49

    I know how you feel. I don' know how many times I've sat down with a few words or a scene and thought I was going great, only to dry up. There's not much you can do about it, it'll come when it comes, and hopefully soon.

  1. Terra Shield says:
    30 January, 2007 21:15

    I know what you mean... the muse can be quite a pain!

  1. tiggerprr says:
    31 January, 2007 13:01

    As you well know I'm sure, you don't search for inspiration, it finds you. Maybe those 8 lines are all that's meant to be for now? :)

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