Reader's Block

It's happening again. I pick up a book, get going for a page or two, then put it down, frustrated that I only sense jumble. Either that or I'm bothered by the size of the page margins or the font style; the content seems inane or overdrawn, or filled with too much angst; I can't get a handle on any of the characters. It's reader's block, all right. I'm in the throes of it--constantly finding fault with word choice and pacing.

I noticed this tendency on my last visit to the library where I scanned the new book shelf, looking for titles to perk my interest. I pulled out several, but since three of the books I had previously borrowed had been returned unread, I was cautious. I sat at a table and read the cover blurbs, the praise from other readers, then started on the first chapters to see if I was with it. Of eight books, only three came home with me, and of those, I've already set aside one, I'm dallying with another, and avoiding the third. I also have four eBook samples in my reader that I haven’t even attempted, and two complete downloads I started last month that I can’t seem to finish.

I'll bet professional reviewers go through this a lot and force out their comments through clenched teeth. They probably don't know their afflicted. I think I've read some of those reviews: books I found enchanting that someone panned, reviews where the acerbic comments make you bleed with the author, or where the review language is so trite and off base you wonder whether the person read the book at all.

If I have a writing deadline, I can force myself through writer's block and get something down. I pull it off. I can also defeat writer's block with exercise, a change of scenery, or having a luscious lunch at a pricey restaurant. When all else fails, I usually read.

Hmm. Could it be that a cure for my reader's block is writing? My current work-in-progress has been languishing a bit. I'll give that a try.

Add more comments!

Nashville Trip - Art

Okay. Dale Chihuly has branded himself (maybe he didn't do it, but the results are the same) to the point where it's almost obscene. (Ha! I should have this type of visibility.) But it couldn't happen if his art work--he is a primo maestro in working with glass--wasn't so fantastic. (Would that I could be so revered as a writer!).

There are books about and by him, art kits for kids, the usual assortment of gift cards and posters found in gift shops, and on and on.
In Seattle (his home base) people can attend his facility and see the work created. If you're familiar with his work, you know it's a BIG operation.

Nashville Trip - Writers Group

Last week I flew to Nashville, Tennessee where, among other things, I attended the Southern Festival of Books (SFB) and touched base with long-time friends from the Nashville Writers Alliance (NWA)--a group of which I was a founding member back in 1978.

I admit, I didn't want to go. I'm not big on reunions and flashbacks. I'm in touch with most of these people by way of eMail and FaceBook. I use the phone sometimes, too. :-)

My good friend here in Montana really pushed me to do it, and once in Tennessee, my daughter continued the push. I don't think they conspired, but their insistence got me down to Legislative Plaza on Saturday. It was filled with tents of book publishers, writing organizations and many many visitors. Two NWA members, Michael Sims and Martha Whitmore Hickman, had presentations at the Festival, and SFB scheduled panel time for NWA, where past and present members told about how the group was formed, what we've done then and now. A lot of reminiscing.

 That evening we had an NWA reunion party at the house of one of the founding members. The group continues yet today--getting together every Tuesday night to critique each others' work. I enjoyed meeting the people who had joined since I moved away from TN in 1998. I also miss that type of honest professionalism and the camaraderie. NWA was--IS--a special part of my life.