THE ARTFUL HABIT

I bought this wood lath sculpture Saturday at a barn sale. The artist is Jim Morris. 

I’m trying to write a story — it’s called flash fiction — for a competition. 1000 words max. I am struggling. I have a hard time writing fiction. I “see” the character in my mind (In this case, her name is Maxine.) I can scrutinize the bejesus out of her. But as I get down the road with Maxine (approx. 500 words) BOOM! No clue what she does next. As in life, too many choices. Poor Maxine!  Poor me!

Earlier this summer, I wrote a piece for a similar competition and used all 700 words describing the fictional library (presumably where something happens.) But I never got to the place where the “something” happened.  Or who did the “happening?” Or why? Major failure. (I thought it was rather “Mrs. Dalloway-ish.” Obviously, the judge missed that point. “The Library” didn’t get in.)

I sent the library piece to a friend who’s a great reader. She said “I can see every detail of that room.” That’s good, right? Judy was too kind to say “but what happens?” (Judy should be an art critic. She’s very diplomatic.)

A good friend once painted rather well. She stopped in 1985: life stuff took her in another direction. She’s retired now and I asked her why she isn’t painting again. She said “I forgot how.” 

I wonder if it’s possible to forget how to write? 

Books about creativity all have similar advice: 

No matter that you have nothing to say — or nothing to paint or draw — do it anyway!  (Keep showing up in acting lingo.)

Face up to the blank canvas/page/laptop screen. 

Make that first mark/ brush stroke. Type out a first sentence.

Don’t revise or edit — just do it. Make the mistakes. Sometimes they’re the best part.

Anne Lamott in her book “Bird By Bird” says to hold your fingers together to form a small open square and write about whatever is framed inside that square. Don’t worry about anything outside. That works for drawing or painting too.

These are exercises. The big clue: form the habit of creative work. If I’ve learned one thing in my years is that I am a creature of habit. I need to form the habit of writing every day — same place, same time. But will a story plot open up? Will tension appear as in some vision? Will Maxine suddenly shout “What the hell? I would never wear that dress! Put me on the train and for god’s sake, get out of my way!” 

(Maxine had better watch it! Linda is right around the corner.)

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