That would be me. I feel like at this point if I were to call myself a writer I’d be stating an untruth. I’m sure there isn’t a quantifiable definition and that I can still be considered one but with the daily output of zero, I doubt I could squeak past the minimum requirement.
Yes, my soul is that of a literary being; trust me when I say that I will be far more likely to publish a story than I would to learn an instrument and play in a band. However wonderful it feels to have the inner being of a wordsmith, what good does it do if it just lies there, dormant at best, stagnant at worst? I have to stop thinking about the ideal place to work and get on with it. I have to stop thinking, period.
It’s a wonderful thing to be able to live in your head if it’s full of positive, creative ideas and stories that are unfolding and bursting to be shared. It’s another thing, altogether to live in your head and dream of the creative process you’re too lazy to engage in or worry about that freckle that you’re sure wasn’t there this morning. Is it just a freckle or could it be more you wonder. That, my friends, is a dangerous, slippery slope, best avoided at all costs.
I don’t want to be a LFP, and hate the thought that I might be one or becoming one. Is scifi going to be a weak point in my writing ability? For sure. Would I want to return to it? I think so. I’m not a fantasy person- I was scared to death of “The Labyrinth” (David Bowie gave me nightmares) and “The Never Ending Story” creeped me out as a kid. Faeries and trolls, goblins and leprechauns are fantastic in short stories but nothing more. I always amalgamate scifi and fantasy because their characters seem closely related, if not interchangeable.
Over the past little while though, I’ve given scifi a chance (beyond “Star Trek”) and it’s opened my eyes to the possibility that the genre can be more realistic. I don’t need scary muppets or giant flying dogs in order to write a scifi story. When it really comes down to it though, we all have our own definitions of what constitutes a specific style. For example, I consider Margret Atwood’s A Handmaid’s Tale to be science fiction, though according to classical definition it isn’t. And just because my western has desert and cacti, that doesn’t mean it’s a real western. Maybe it’s truly an adventure.
Regardless of whether I’ll be staying true to the genre or not, I think I have a scifi story floating around my little head. Perhaps it just isn’t the right time at the moment. Maybe I don’t yet know what I’m trying to express or there are more important stories to process and complete first. Whatever the reason, I’m looking forward to returning to this genre in the future in some capacity.
At the end of the day, I have to work on the story and not care how it turns out or what criteria it ends up satisfying. There’s a story in me that is waiting to come out and it will be whatever it will be. Stories really are like children in that respect- you have hope for their future, you nurture their potential but at the end of the day, they’re going to be what they’re destined for. As an author (and a parent), you just want the best possible outcome for your creation.
12 Novels in 12 Months 
I know just how you feel! A deeply felt literary soul coupled–not with laziness as you label it–but fear. There is strength and courage in numbers, even just knowing you’re not alone. That’s what I get from the other 4 Chicks and other fellow posting sojourners like you, each on our uniquely uncharted voyage. And hey, if Cowboys and Aliens can work, anything’s a possibility. It sounds that, like me, you’re more discouraged by not working on your project than not knowing where it’s going. Find the courage to spend the time “playing” with your baby project, and you’ll probably be more patient (with yourself) to see how it develops. Above all, don’t beat yourself up, Chickie! ❤
Thanks for the support! It always helps out when someone can commiserate, offer a new perspective and pass along some words of encouragement. You’re absolutely right- I’ve been frustrated with myself, not the project.
I’m looking forward to catching up on your adventures since when I ignored updating my blog, I was avoiding wordpress all together!
I’m passing on questions (modified) which got me thinking of myself in a more flexible way: “Why do you feel the urge of calling yourself a writer? (substitute writer with anything you like) Why do you limit yourself? Why don’t you simply accept that you are a person who enjoys writing, whether you make a living from it or not?”
All the best for your creationgs. Btw, like children, creations want to be let go at some point, in their own time 😉
I just noticed your word meter: WIP: Ok, Goal: Ok, so that’s OK then 🙂
I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to reply, Maria. When I first read your messages, I have to admit that they rubbed me the wrong way. I wasn’t prepared for the alternate perspective they offered. After getting back into my writing groove, I’ve re-read them and your comments took on a completely different light and I appreciate them much more now.
I’ve been thinking about the questions in order to give me another way to view this project but it’s been a delicate balance since I don’t want to get Josephine too involved. I’ve been trying to keep Pascal and Josephine quiet and out of my writing life.
Thank you so much for your insight and passing along the little tidbits of wisdom. You’re so right- creations are like children. They all need to be let do and left to reach their pre-destined end.
Thanks for pointing out that according to my NNo meter, I successfully completed the month!
😀 No problem. When I was asked these questions, I didn’t like them either. I think it’s because they not only challenge our limitating, habitual ways of perceiving the world around us, but also ourselves. Which of course causes our Ego to get it’s hackles up…
I’m sorry if I caused you distress, but I’m glad that in the end they went down the right way 🙂