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Every night I go home with the intent to write. But lately, I've been setting up my laptop in Big Daddy's office, where I watch TV with him — House, Tiger basketball games, The Office/30 Rock, Rachel Maddow, Friday Night Lights. It's been great to actually spend a little more time with him, but I get in there, catch up a little on facebook, and then I typically just stare at the blank slate with no words. It's like my mind is a turtle who has ducked up inside its shell, and no amount of tapping on it will bring him back out again. There's nothing there. I have no words.
Until I go to bed.
And I lie in the darkened room and boom! All the sudden thoughts are racing at me from all directions! Great combinations of words that I didn't even know I had in me! But it's late...and I'm tired...and I have to get up early for work...So I just go to sleep and hope to remember them later.
Last night it suddenly occurred to me — duh. I need quiet. I need no distractions. All the three-pointers and "that's what she said"'s and "It's not lupus"'s are causing my little turtle head to remain hidden where it's dark & quiet & calm. My mind has to not be afraid to come out of its shell. Maybe the writing on those (scripted) shows is so good that it's intimidating my turtle mind.*
So, new plan: go someplace quiet to write and see what transpires.
* I love my turtle metaphor because turtles are COOL. Someday when I have my beach house and my grandchildren come to visit, they can help me feed my little pet turtle who will live on a table by the window where he can climb up on a rock and sun himself. His name will be Theodore. Theodore Turtle.
5 comments:
Leave a notepad or journal by your bed. I think of amazing things at night and I usually forget. (Thoughts and sometimes dreams)
I would say this is how to keep track of those great ideas you have.
I need one of those pens with the tiny little flashlight attached like theater critics use!
For me personally, the TV is a creativity sucker. I haven't had one now for i think at least 7 years or so. The minute it was out the door, i started doing all the things that were swimming around in my head for years. Singing, learning to play new instruments, drawing. Hell, i even gave the Tango a try.
We once borrowed a TV to watch some important Football (Soccer) Matches. The tempo and volume of the commercials especially made me dizzy. (of course the matches were great) I find TV really hard to take. When i walk in someone's house and a TV is blaring i want to flee.
Not suggesting that you throw out the new TV. (This is usually never a popular move.) But shutting it out is so wonderful. I recommend it highly!
With that said, i definately have my 'staring at the blank paper' moments.
I know...come over to our house and bring your pen! Yeah!
Miss you.
I can't quit Hugh Laurie. The rest of it I can give up for the sake of creativity.
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