Friday 24 October 2008

Adolescent muse

Some days my writing is like a truculent teenager. I have to coax it out of its fetid den with promises of biscuits and cake.

Today was like that. I avoided looking it directly in the eye, just let it amble at its own pace across the page. I edited tentatively around it, made sure it was fed and watered, brushed the crumbs off its jumper, and resisted the urge to smooth down its hair. Kept my critical lip buttoned up.

And it worked. 2,000 words crept onto the page. Then it said "Can I go now?" and I let it slink back to its room taking the last of the chocolate hobnobs with it. Hope its in a better mood next time I knock on its door.

8 comments:

Jen said...

That made me smile - if your writing's an adolescent, mine's a claustrophobic hermit right now.

2,000 words though. That's really rather impressive.

Karen said...

2000 words?? Sounds like that adolescent is secretly rather clever :o) I know what you mean though...

Vellano Bill said...

re your earlier questions and answers, yes you your dad is (proudly) reading this. Good job I am wasn't visiting, I would have eaten all the hobnobs and you wouldn't have got your 2000 words!

Tamsyn Murray said...

I love that description - absolutely perfect :-)
Well done on your 2000 words. Did it slam the door on the way out??

Kath McGurl said...

Brilliant analogy! Enjoy combing its hair when it's in a better mood!

Anonymous said...

Love this post. A wonderful description.

CJ xx

Jumbly Girl said...

Spiral and Karen - thanks - did I forget to mention that most of the 2,000 words were mumbled and incomprehensible :o)

Hi Dad, thanks for popping by, you know you're welcome round here for Hobnobs any time

Tam - no, but it did turn its music up extra loud once the door was shut

womag - ooh I like the idea of hair combing - could be very soothing

Jumbly Girl said...

Thanks CJ!