Tessa McDermid

I usually have a book about writing somewhere handy for those odd moments when I’m waiting for the bank teller or soccer practice to be over. Right now, I’m reading Writing For the Soul, by Jerry B. Jenkins, On page 8, right at the beginning of the book he says "Writing may be art and craft, but it is also your job. Factory workers and executives don’t get to call in and say, "I have worker’s block today." They would be told to get their behinds into the workplace or look for another job."

I’ve read variations of that in other books, heard it from other writers, know it in my own mind and heart. I have even tried to put a different spin on the idea of a writer’s block, from a great present I received years ago at our writer’s guild Christmas party — three children’s blocks covered with quotes and words relating to writing. Those three blocks sit next to my monitor, a reminder that blocks are used to build things and I can build my own stories and articles.

So, that’s what I need to be doing. Building and writing. Not worrying about whether my muse is at home. If I’m not sitting in front of the computer, my fingers on the keyboard, my fanny in the chair, why in the world should my muse show up? I’m the one who’s supposed to be working.

So, tell me. What do you do to keep yourself moving forward? Do you wait for your muse to show up? I’m off now to put the finishing touches on my chapter — once I open that file, I’m hoping the muse is there to give me the last final idea!