Jack's Place

What's the Big Idea?

"Looking back, I imagine I was always writing. Twaddle it was, too. But better far write twaddle or anything, anything, than nothing at all." ~ KATHERINE MANSFIELD

         Looking back to my last entry, it seems pretty dark and negative, which is not entirely unwarranted given my current condition. But look, I self-identify as a writer and I never want to lose that, so I continue to hammer away, and I guess we'll find out together whether inspiration can be replaced by determination. I've been told that perseverance is a highly underrated virtue. I mean to test that theory. True to the little poem that introduces this blog, I intend to keep a'scratchin.
         The "barmaids" of the poem, personalities given to my muses, whatever you consider them to be, haven't completely abandoned me. They continue to drop in from time to time to see how I'm doing, and occasionally bring an idea with them. I'm not entirely at full-stop here. There are stories lurking just beyond the lamplight that I'm trying to coax in, and these are aside from the old stuff that I'm posting here as if they're new. Stories like "Serpens Alatus" , which is going up piecemeal; have to maintain the suspense, after all.
         But no, there are new things in the offing. I'm currently trying to press forward on a fantasy centered on a band of orcs who inadvertently become the heroes of the tale. Apologies to my beta reader; I'm giving this my full attention and hope to break it loose soon. Also in the queue is a story of a young man who allows himself to be possessed by a demon in order to take revenge, fully aware that demons don't work for free. There is a short about a medical examiner who has an unusual experience while working late. That will be perfect for "Invalid Item"  when it eventually finishes up. Tales of Dutchman's Flat, a small community in the great southwestern desert, await development as do the stories of teens on the cusp of adulthood growing up in Sunset Beach, a fictional community based on the wonderful little California beach town where I spent my formative years.
         So you see, I'm far from stuck. I need to change my writing habits, because jumping in first thing in the morning isn't getting it done. Perhaps I need to cogitate on the plots while I complete the household chores, then hit it hard right after lunch. That will be the next thing I try, anyway. It isn't that I don't want to write; I most certainly do! I just need to find a new approach that works. The exploration continues.
         So I ask that you not give up on me. The barmaids haven't, and they're integral to the process. I'm thinking that I'll get it. Just hang in there. That's what I'm doing. And until next time, keep safe and have fun. You guys are the best!

Taylor