Thursday, October 7: Femme Fatale
SEDUCED FROM THE PATH
by Deborah Elliott-Upton
“Depend upon it, after all, Thomas, Literature is the most noble of professions. In fact, it is about the only one fit for a man. For my own part, there is no seducing me from the path.”—Edgar Allan Poe to Frederick W. Thomas (February 14, 1849)
This week the unimaginable happened; I was seduced from my writing time to do (shudder!) other things. The problem was this kept happening.
Obstacles preventing me from quality time alone with my computer. Elbowing their way into my schedule, my planned timetable was methodically hacked to death.
I kept moving my main writing project aside, not so much hoping to get back to it later as praying I’d find the scene causing so much trouble magically written when I next looked. So far, the Writing Fairy has not stepped in and patted her wand upon my computer screen. The blank page has continued on as the blank page. The blinking cursor accusatorial in its tick, tock finger-shaking.
The most noble of professions is not as easy as one might think. Some of my friends have waited impatiently as I scribbled notes to myself concerning an idea for a story. I am usually writing fast so I can get back to our visit and before my coffee grows cold or a salad begins to go limp. For some reason, my friends believe my writing is accomplished quickly and needs little of my time. They believe when I am undisturbed in front of my computer, my keyboard is practically smoking. Often I sit with my fingers on the keys eagerly awaiting inspiration to strike. Sometimes, inspiration is instead on strike.
Poe believed writing to be a noble profession. I agree. It’s also at times exasperating, frustrating and just plain hard. I’m sure Poe would have agreed with me about that.
When the words finally come and a piece is polished and sent off, there is the waiting game. In this scenario, all players are not equal. The editors and agents have more time at bat, but when they connect, it is sudden whether it is a home run or a foul ball.
One project at a time. One scene, one paragraph, one sentence. It all begins with a seduction. Does this mean I should change into something more comfortable?
My muse isn’t easily seduced, but she is a lush so I can get her drunk. And we all know drunk girls are easy. Well, at least the ones I know are.
And I thought I was the only one with a “Blinking Curser.”
Great Motivation!
Er, I think you just seduced me from my writing.
Oh Leigh, it’s true what they say about you! You’re easy.
Now get back to writing!
Deborah, I’m with you. I get seduced away from my creative work far too much. Sometimes a change of setting is all it takes. Over the summer, I changed the location and the schedule of my work and it helped. Anther trick I’ve found whenever I’m in a serious rut is to shave my beard off. But in your case, I think a new dress is called for.