BREAKING THROUGH

"If he wrote, he could get rid of it. He had gotten rid of many things by writing them down."
Ernest Hemingway "Winner Take Nothing" 1933 "Fathers and Sons"

My "Prompting the Muse" class tonight was interesting. We did a lot of different writing prompts including one on 'obsession', one on writing with all the senses related to prompts from various food items (the ones on 'caviar' were most fascinating!) and stories about 'leaving'. We also talked about writing from loneliness. All the emotions evoke strong writing and sensitive stories. In this way writing can be a catharsis.

I find this is true for myself. And today when I was writing on my novel, even though it was mostly editing and rearranging chapter segments, as long as I was immersed in it, I was not thinking about other things that have troubled me lately. Writing makes me happy. The escape into that other world is liberating.

I managed a couple of hours of writing today which pleased me. I could have spent longer, but had to go out for food supplies (my larder was empty and I was starving!). Then I had promised a young friend I'd type a short story she needs for her Saturday writing class, as she has tendonitis and can't use the keyboard. While I was at it, I did a lot of editing for her.
She's just learning, and has a long way to go. But it's interesting and worthwhile helping the novice writers with their craft.

I decided to take a break tonight after my class and stopped on the Drive to see my friend Cliffy. Not much was happening and there was, once again, no jazz happening at the L.Q. where I like to go on Wednesdays. In fact, the place was dark except candlelight when I got there and I might as well have gone straight home, but stopped for a glass of wine anyway.
It only served to make me feel sad again. The vibes of my lost friend are there. Too many memories. But it's a big part of my social life and I can't let that get me down. Somehow, I'll break through that barrier too and overcome my feelings.

A rainy night in the city. I'm starting to feel a bit better but a long way from my usual self.
Tomorrow is another busy day with two classes and a lunch date. But Friday I should have most of the day to write again and after today I feel more inspired. Just getting down to it was a break-through and I am beginning to feel the cadance of the prose again and get back in touch with the characters. I like being in their world. Sure, it's an 'escape'. But it's pleasant and exciting, and necessary if I ever want to get the novel finished. I want to get back to the place where I am 'living' the story, 'dreaming' it every night, 'feeling' the characters near me. Once that happens again, I know I'll be able to go on to the end without any problems.

"Writing is nothing more than a guided dream."
Jorge Luis Borges "Doctor Brodie's Report" 1972