February 19, 2008
I’m a Jerk
THE JERK is one of the formative movies of my youth–how and why a 9 or 10 y-o saw the movie . . . you’d have to ask my mother . . . there were many such movies that have warped, er ah, contributed to the psyche that makes up Dennie-of-many-issues! But back to THE JERK: There are many aspects that just ring true in this movie, but for today’s purposes we will focus on one in particular. All I need is . . .
I can’t tell you how many times I have said, “All I need is this [fill in blank for writer’s tool]” and I will be able to be a better writer. One week it’s, if I have my fuzzy Mickey Mouse Pen that jiggles when I write, I can sit and smack out a new and improved version of rusted-novel three (Thanks M Blue . . . I am hooked on rusted now!). The next week it’s a $600 graphics program that has abso-freaking-lutely nothing to do with a manuscript, but I know it will inspire me. Next week it will be an Alphasmart because I just know if I can lug something around smaller than my PORTABLE LAPTOP I will be 100% more productive!
I have an extensive list of, “All I need is . . .”
~ The Sims–so I can “see” my characters
~ Writer’s Dream Kit–so I can have a detailed outline
~ Thirty different notebooks–because I have so many freaking ideas and need a new fangled notebook for eacha dn every one. (don’t get me started on the pens–GAW!)
~ Candles–for inspiration
~ Music–for inspiration
~ Jade ring–for inspiration (for real, for real–when I am in “the mood” I put it on to write)
~ a bazillion books–for comparison and inspiration
~ the Publisher Alley subscription–because if I can see my sales, I will be inspired to write and sell more–WHATEVER!
~ plus many, many, MANY more that I can’t think of now.
It never ends. Every time I see a “new” writer’s tool I want it and KNOW it will be the THE THING that makes me plunk my ass down in front of the computer and write, write, write. Every other royalty check I get is put right back into tools, gizmos and gadgets. I don’t see this ending any time soon. Hell, look at THE JERK, he started with, “All I need is this paperweight,” and by the time he hit the street his ass was laden down with a couple of handfuls of crap.
And by the by, If you need an excuse of “I can’t write cause I don’t have [blah],” ask me and you can totally borrow one of mine. 



LOL. It was the laptop/Alpha-smart for me. And to a degree, while they don’t make me a better writer, they do (or have, depending on writer’s block. heh) facilitate writing more, which should lead to writing better. ….
I used to (but not anymore) have a 3-D houseplan progam so that I could plot out the domiciles of my characters, complete with furnishings. Yeah, pathetic, isn’t it.
Gotta go to work where there’s no web surfing. Y’all have a good day!
Vanessa, I just got the Alphasmart Saturday–wrote an entrie page on Sunday, yesterday did notes and about half a page…could be a start of something.
AND… I got a new chair–it’s amazing what a good cushioned seat can help you accomplish!
Bailey, I so want one of those too!
Hmmm.

That’s one peculiar…er, interesting thing I don’t do.
Have never thought of anything that would really help the writing, except more motivation and less giving in to being discouraged (although a new computer would be nice).
Will have to think of something.
In light of Raine’s comment, I should clarify that there’s never been an *I can’t write* excuse unless it was the usual stress/exhaustion stuff. (which i really don’t think of as excuses, anyway). I was just naming stuff I thought would help with the writing.
Raine, I’m sure for me it’s just the old excuse why I’m not writing–and I have come up w/ some doozies!
I will say that my “day job” is spent at the computer so the chair was a necessity–my poor back has been killing me from squooshed support! So when I did get the time to write, the last place I wanted to be was in thye chair–I guess same goes for the Alphasmart. I can take it anywhere and don’t have to deal with unplugging the four different things the computer is tied to the desk with–despite being a laptop
*shakes head* other than the Alphasmart I think you’re nuts. LOL but I love you anyway. And I will admit, I’ve thought, “If only I could file my nails off, I could write.” YEs I have used long nails as an excuse–in my defense, they’re like rocks and it hurts when they get past about a quarter inch.
I think you’re nuts
Ames . . . moi
hehehe 