Blank Pages

Hello All,

Years ago, in high school (senior year) I worked on the school newspaper. I interviewed one of my favorite singing groups Lowen & Navarro. When I asked Dan Navarro about writing songs he said something like "...the agony of the blank page..."

That's stuck with me ever since.

What is it about blank pages that scare writers?

We just can't deal with blank pages. We have to fill them up with our ideas. Sometimes it's easy and things flow and we have ourselves a ball...other times writer's block creeps in and we feel like we're in a corner being punished.

There's nothing wrong with a blank page in and of itself. It means there's potential. There's anticipation. The sense that something is coming...even if we don't always know what that something is at first.

Sure, as Dan Navarro pointed out, blank pages can be agonizing. Especially if we sit there feeling like we're ready and nothing comes. It's enough to cause hyperventilation if you're not prepared.

So let's prepare ourselves. Let's get our minds right so that the blank pages aren't sources of fear:

1. Tell yourself blank pages are your friends

2. Start with a glimmer of an idea and go with it. See where it takes you

3. Delete what you have to.

4. Remember: Good days and bad days happen. Don't let the bad days ruin the memory of the good days.

Okay, I've succeeded in surprising myself. I honestly wasn't sure what I was going to write for today (Friday's) post. The blank page stared at me. Then all this came.

See what I mean about never knowing what might happen? About possibilities?

Now, since I showed you, you don't have to be scared of the blank page, either. This is one of those little successes along the road of writing. Best wishes to you in conquering your blank pages and blinking cursors.

Have A Fantastic Friday!