Lately I’ve been feeling as though the words aren’t flowing as naturally, aren’t coalescing into coherent thoughts of their own accord; they are scattered across the vast recesses of my mind and must be coaxed into expression. What thoughts are conveyed on paper, I’ve pieced together with much effort.
Whereas my efforts at visual expression have experienced a renaissance (apologies for illusions of grandeur), my writing has laid stagnant for quite some time. In fact, if you reread my previous posts, you can probably distinguish between the moments I was particularly inspired to write, and those when my thoughts were being uncooperative. Hint: my syntax becomes hideously verbose or frustratingly sparse. Guess which is the case in this post?
One problem: my shattered focus. An utter lack of concentration that has compromised my ability to entertain a thought for more than five seconds. Without focus there is no intricate exploration of the thoughts tugging at my mind. And without that intricate exploration, any semblance of rhythm and raw emotion escapes my pen. It also doesn’t help that I haven’t done regular and intensive writing exercises since last year (Guess what: those high school reading logs had a purpose, however obscure!). And I don’t read as often as I used to.
(I’d put a transition here between exposition of problem and solution, but I don’t feel like it. So pretend there is a pretty-sounding paragraph here elaborating upon the previous paragraph.)
But what use is this rumination without possible solutions? Here we go:
1. Step back from technology by decreasing Facebook and Twitter usage. Technology is anathema for writing deeply, writing clearly, writing well.
2. Journal daily and intricately. I’ve found that my writing has lately consisted of sporadic, disjointed thoughts resembling more Twitter posts (hah) than sentences worth reading. This must change.
3. Read widely, read often, read diversely. Read every day, or every several days—and not just stupid Internet articles, but real literature—thick, whole books resplendent with convoluted plots and beautiful language and innovative applications of the English language.
It’s been a while since my writing has accurately captured the essence of my sentiments. It’s frustrating to grasp at phrases, struggle for words that can do justice to my feelings and emotions. I feel incapacitated and it’s a horrible feeling. Yet one’s writing ability is luckily a muscle that must be exercised, which means we can eliminate writer’s block if we are so inclined. Luckily enough, too. Heaven knows there are many other things that are completely out of our control.
(“Heaven knows…,” Natalie? You can do better than that ending sentence!)
P.S. If you want a cheap way to make your writing rhythmic, use the “Rule of Threes.” Like I have. Many times. Having beaten it to death. <—See what I just did there?
