My teacher says, "Always come back to the breath."

It works every time.

I think we all have those days where it's just not happening, and you turn out a couple of terrible pages, and then you stop, because you can't believe this is happening to YOU, THE WRITER.

That's really where the mind games start. Am I tired? What if I'm just being lazy? Am I intimidating myself? Do I need food? A nap? What's wrong with me? Ten pages came easily yesterday!

And you wait a few hours, maybe a day, and next time it's not quite as bad as it was last time, and you forget about those horrible moments ... until the next one. :)

Love the mantra, Scott. Thanks for this.

Just find a way to get some words down... whether it's sending some emails to yourself during lunch... jotting some thoughts in a notebook... sitting your butt down in front of the computer at a designated time... don't be afraid to suck (as the one post from a couple of weeks ago so eloquently [not being ironic here either] put it...

One of my favorite writing quotes (can't remember who said it... figures) is, "You can't edit a blank page."

If you get something down on paper/screen, even if it stinks, at least you got something to build from.

Remember, writing is supposed to fun. It's easy to forget that. I know I do at times.

Even thought it might be hair-pullingly hard at times, there should always be some element of fun to this crazy thing called writing.

Forget the pressure and go have some fun with words.

@Jeff: Great minds think alike!

@Susan: The mind games are incredible. Sometimes when I'm trying to meditate, I'll focus on my breathing and make it through just two breaths and boom - my mind is off and running.

@John: You're right. It is a mantra. I feel another post coming on.

@TUL: "Go have some fun with words." Sounds like another mantra.

Sometimes life looms too large for the page and my words insult intent. That's when it's hard to write. Life's decisions and transitions and journeys want to be shared but in the light of major world events they can seem like indulgent North American navel gazing. I attempt to find relevant meaning in life and life in story while in Japan they just desperately search for life.
Someone sprung spring today and in the melt, the Chinook breeze and the song of the birds there was more of life than I could express in my words. Sometimes life calls loud for action; not words.

Great post. Thanks, Scott.