One Word At A Time . . . in the Rain

On Facebook today, everybody's Status Update in the tri-state area is rain related. My friends are stuck in traffic on their way to NYC with their brand new baby due to a fallen tree. A tree! My brother is making his way uptown on a bus that is evidently almost as wet inside as outside.

In other words, it was and still is the perfect day to stay home and curl up on the couch with a good book. OR to go out and be with a group of friends and their laptops for some creative writing. I was hoping that my Saturday group of girls at Writopia would choose the latter, and I wasn't disappointed. (Although as I weaved my way down the slick city streets, no cab in sight, I questioned my sanity. But nobody can say I lack commitment!)

We were comfortable inside, protected from the rain and chatting up story ideas, instead of working on stories. There was so much brainstorming going on that we ended up playing "hot laptop". (Yes, same as the "hot notebook" game that my Girls Write Now mentee Meg and I play, only this time with five girls plus me!) I love this: writing as a social event and opportunity for learning about voice and story structure. Making ourselves write - at least a sentence, because someone else depends on it. One word at a time.

I have been struggling to finish the crappy first draft of Work in Progress for a couple of weeks now. I know what needs to be written, but I can't seem to get it down on paper (um, computer). I'm childishly waiting for the inspiration, when the grown-up part of me knows that the inspiration comes from the perspiration, from just doing it.

One word at a time. (This post reminds me that I'm due to read Bird by Bird by Anne LaMott again. Doesn't she say that? And so much better than I?)