Friday, October 29, 2010

Anybody know how I feel?

Writer’s Dilemma
by Linda O’Connell

Retirement’s on the horizon, and I need to pitch my book.
But that means I have to promote it and come up with a unique hook.
Some days I want to be a writer and do nothing but compose.
Then, I sit down at the keyboard and what do you suppose?

My thoughts fly out the window, my muse runs out the door.
I sit and mope and flip through blogs to even out the score.
I tell folks that I’m a writer; it sounds really cool, but
the most I’ve written this week is reports, and that’s for school.

I recently published a biography, but it’s really not MY story,
I surprised myself the other day and wrote a tome that’s rather gory.
Fiction is not my forte, and killing grandma’s not too slick.
I asked a friend to look it over and she responded, “Woman, you are sick!”

I heard Ted Kooser, Poet Laureate. His words inspired me to write.
I planted my butt in a chair, and I sat there half the night.
I had a great idea, and then it left my head.
I told myself, you want to be a writer, but you’re a wanna be instead.

I laid in bed and pondered, I thought about my day.
I ought to stick to teaching, at least it’s steady pay.
No worry about point of view or metered rhyming verse.
At school it’s just the little kids, but sometimes that is worse.

This week it’s all about scary things: skeletons and witches.
One kid left me speechless and gave me involuntary twitches.
I said, “You and I have a skeleton, and we are not alone;
animals have skeletons too.” Little Johnny said, “My penis has a bone!”

I’m a writer who is wordless,
a teacher who is speechless.
I just want to cruise the globe
and lie on sunny beaches.

Anyone else searching for their voice? Muse? Purpose? Warmer weather?

This weekend I will post Halloween pictures of my adult costumes that have been prize winners. Now-now!

24 comments:

Donna Volkenannt said...

Hi Linda,
I'm searching for all of the above.

And I LOVE, LOVE the photo of you with the red blouse and the red leaves.

Donna V.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com

Terri Tiffany said...

You are good:)
I am not searching for warmer weather for sure-- hoping for a cool down. 90 is too hot now.
And I know what you mean about writing and the muse takes off. She did on me this week and I wanted to write so many words!

Allison Schreiber Lee said...

"I’m a writer who is wordless,
a teacher who is speechless." Those words really spoke to me today. I feel that fear of not being able to write, not having words to write, not having anything meaningful to say, on an almost daily basis. But then inspiration comes quickly and can leave just as fast. I am sending you good thoughts and good energy and the hope that your muse returns quickly.
Best,
Allison
http://allison-thisisthelife.blogspot.com/

Linda O'Connell said...

Donna,
Thank you so much! We should get together sometime.

Linda O'Connell said...

Terri,
Always when I have the time to write something else comes up. Thanks for your comment.

Linda O'Connell said...

Allison,
Thank you for your kind words and good wishes. Although we've never met, I feel a kinship with you because of how you write. Do you live in St. Louis?

Allison Schreiber Lee said...

Linda, I DO live in St. Louis. I live in West County and I'm an attorney downtown (http://www.lashlybaer.com/our-professionals/60.html?profile=77&name=Allison-Lee). Wouldn't it be great if we could meet up sometime??

Allison Schreiber Lee said...

Sorry- website did not come through: www.lashlybaer.com.
Best,
Allison

BECKY said...

Linda, we all feel that way....and I do probably more so than you! I'm really hoping that my thoughts will flow from my mind and heart, directly to my fingertips, as I strive for more words per day next month!

Karen Lange said...

Yes, some days I go looking for the muse. Other days, pondering my purpose. And still other days wondering who ate the last bit of dark chocolate!
Happy weekend,
Karen :)

Linda O'Connell said...

Allison, contact me at my email listed in my introduction.

Linda O'Connell said...

Becky,
Knowing other writers go through this is helpful. Good luck with your writing.

Linda O'Connell said...

Karen,
My weekend is getting off to a good start. Thanks. I have some writing material. Woo hoo, now if I can form it into a piece.

Lynn said...

Linda, you're hardly a wannabe - you're an inspiration girly. Thank goodness for chocolate!

Cathy C. Hall said...

I love your label, Linda: Writer angst.

Oy. Been there. Done that. (The writing part-not the preschool kid with a knick knack, paddy whack, give the teacher a heart attack! :-)

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

"My thoughts fly out the window, my muse runs out the door. I sit and mope and flip through blogs to even out the score." Boy, can I ever relate to that. As to little Johnny, well...LOL...I believe I'd have been speechless, too!

Susan said...

Linda, I enjoyed the poem,
It really made me smile.
You are a really good writer,
And you go the extra mile.

Don't beat yourself up
Or put yourself down
They are not good things to do.
You're a wonderful teacher and
you love to write,
Now you know those things are true.

So thanks for sharing, your poem today
And for your writing all the week through.
I, for one, am a blogger that thinks you are cool,
Just by being you! Hugs. Susan

Linda O'Connell said...

Lynn, You are such a supportive friend! Thank you.

Linda O'Connell said...

Cathy,
Dang it, that's where my muse has been, visiting you down there in Georgia. You always make me smile.

Linda O'Connell said...

Lisa,
I swear, for me blogging is like walking along a beach. I never know what sort of treasure I will find, and you are surely one.

Linda O'Connell said...

Susan,
Kudos to you on your lovely poem which has inspired me to get me act together. The day has not dawned and I want to write.

Anonymous said...

Linda, wow you hit it out of the ballpark with this one! But I gotta tell you I'm a little concerned: Am I the friend who said, "Lady, you are sick!"? If so, I was joking. In a good way. :P Love ya'!

Julia Gordon-Bramer said...

"I’m a writer who is wordless,
a teacher who is speechless.
I just want to cruise the globe
and lie on sunny beaches."

--That part came straight from MY heart, I think.

How interesting that you, with so many, many publications, would question if you're a writer! It goes to show that we are all in this place from time to time. Thank you for that.

Linda O'Connell said...

Dianna and Julia,
Your friendship inspires me. Thank you.