Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Lucky lucky luck - or as I call it ' Pluck'

It's another meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Go to the link to see who has posted this month or to sign up yourself!

The Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!


This month the optional question is:  Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE? Care to share?

Um...no?

Okay, let me elaborate - I have one ritual that I use in order to start writing. That ritual is to say to myself 

No one asked you to be a writer and there is only one activity that makes you one. Sit down and write.

Sure, sometimes it is tough to follow my own dictate, but I have found no magic formula for doing so. I wear whatever clothes I grabbed in the morning. Sometimes I have coffee with me, but it depends on what time of day I sat down to write. I don't drink coffee in the afternoon. I don't listen to music, because I'm one of those people who likes to listen to music when I listen to music. I don't understand background music. I never have. And I LOVE music. The other day I listened to a two and a half hour concert of Stephen Sondheim music (his 90th birthday tribute). I only listened and moaned and cried and laughed.

I don't have any specific writing amulets, though my writing room is full of tchotchkes ranging from little lead cows, to feathers, stones, bits of wood, a bed doll and various crooked knives and an ulu - but these are always here. Okay, okay...I did put the crooked knives on the window ledge so they would be particularly present, as the book I'm writing is called Crooked Knife, but truly that is not because I'm superstitious.

I am actually. Quite. But not about writing. The only voice I invoke is that of my father - who says 'bum glue' and 'pitter patter let's fly atter' and 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going.' Yes, he's been gone for nine years, but his voice carries.

Okay, now it is back to work I go. Only ten more days until this baby has to be delivered. Yikes!

Here is a very good luck rabbit that was on my front lawn this morning. He had four (FOUR!) lucky rabbit's feet.

9 comments:

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Your father sounds like he was a great man!

And I think the bunny on your lawn is a good sign. :)

Liza said...

Love that term, "bum glue." Also love that you hold yourself accountable. I rarely listen to music when I write, though when I do, I find myself incredibly inspired. Hmmm. Need to think on that. Glad you still hear your loved father's voice.

Mary Aalgaard said...

I'm also distracted by music. I'm a musician. I like to listen, hear the harmonies, feel all the emotions. All the best to you.

Mary at Play off the Page

Astrid said...

That rabbit has to be a good luck sign! I don't really have any rituals for starting to write either. LOL to the bum glue.

Margot Kinberg said...

It's interesting, isn't it, Jan, how the voices of the people we've known and loved stay with us, even a long time after those people themselves are gone. And I love your attitude of focusing and reminding yourself that writers have to, well, write.

Chrys Fey said...

That's a nice little kick in the butt and pep talk. Sometimes, we all have to give ourselves one. :)

M.J. Fifield said...

Cute bunny. We had three little bunnies playing tag in our backyard the other day. It was adorable. And super distracting, as I totally stopped working so I could watch them do it.

I love that mantra. It sounds like an excellent way to start off a writing session.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

What you say to yourself sounds good to me.
I do need my music though. And sometimes the television is also on...

Carol Kilgore said...

Love your father's sayings! And the bunny pic :)
I don't have any real rituals either. Mostly it's a few times of saying to myself, "I gotta stop doing Facebook and get to work."