Monday, March 14, 2011

My brain is back!

I'm back! It feels so good to have my creative juices flowing again! I can't even tell you. I was taking a medication that seriously hindered my ability to create. I can't count how many times I sat down at my computer in the last month and a half, only to become so frustrated that I wanted to take a sledge hammer to its glowing screen! The medicine also gave me chest pain and since I don't want to die young . . . .

Glad to have that taken care of.

Today I wrote almost 8,000 in only a couple of hours. Now that's bliss.

So here is my question to you. Have you ever done something that made it so you couldn't write? Ever taken a medication, or changed your schedule or . . . whatever? How did you solve your problem? How did you seize back your enthusiasm?

Because let me tell you, I thought I'd lost my muse forever. He'd high-tailed it out of here, had snapped the reins of a beautiful white stallion, and rode off into the sunset without me!

There have been times since I parted ways with my publisher where I felt this was all too hard, that I just didn't want to keep trying and banging my head against a brick wall. The short time I spent on this medicine helped me see just how much I love to write, how much a part of my life it is. I don't ever want to let it go again. I won't ever let it go again. (the muse is now tied up with duct tape in the front room)

Even if I never sell a book, I will continue to write. I'm sure I'll be famous after I die. My kids can enjoy the proceeds. =)

15 comments:

RaShelle Workman said...

Melissa - So glad your muse is back. I completely understand. I parted ways with my publisher a month ago. It's been tough even though I know it was the right decision.

Colene Murphy said...

Hurray for your return! Congrats!

Taffy said...

I'm glad your feeling creative again. Right now it's PMS that's chased away not only my muse but my family hahaha.

Deborah said...

Glad to hear you're returning to form. I keep seeing that muse of yours bound up in the corner! Don't forget to feed her...

Sheila Siler said...

Thank you for the follow on my blog, what a delight when I got up this morning to check and saw my follower number had increased! Congratuations on your muse's return. I am "jealous" that you can write 8000 words at one time! Two jobs and family keep me busy, but I'm getting there. Perhaps I need to find my muse, shrink her down, and keep her in my pocket! I look forward to reading your blog.

Old Kitty said...

Yay!!!!!! Never give up! Never surrender!! :-) Take care
x

Susie Swanson said...

Glad you're back. Wow 8000 words, blows my mind.

Angie said...

Yeah for your muse coming back. I know I've gone through times when I couldn't write for one reason or another. It's hard. I know how you feel. I never want to lose it forever.

Unknown said...

Do you think you could take off enough duct tape for your muse to let her whisper in my ear? Just for a few minutes? 8000 words in one sitting is beyond anything I've ever done. Congrats.
In actuality, Melissa, when you are enthused, it rubs off onto me!

Melissa Cunningham said...

Thanks everyone! I love your comments and it's nice to know I'm not alone. =)

Kim Mullican said...

Yes! Medication has horrible side effects sometimes. Chantix made me crazy - literally. I thought dreams I was having was reality. I came home one day and told my husband that my kids came out of their dad's house with a bag of weed and a stack of cash and that I thought we should call the police! My kids were horrified because it never happened...it was a dream I thought was real...It took them nearly an hour to convince me I was wrong.

Then, I was prescribed Topamax for "migrane induced seizures", which it turns out I didn't have. It gave me chest pains, numbness, anxiety, insomnia followed by days of grogginess. . . none of which helped me write. It was awful. Two days I spent with my arms near paralysis.

I'm glad to hear you're feeling better!

Stacy Henrie said...

Sometimes when the creative juices don't seem to be flowing, I make sure I've got a really good book (either love the story or the writing or both) to read. That usually jumps starts the creativity, for me, again.

Michelle in a shell said...

Wow congrats on 8000 words! Ever since I've moved to my current city I seem to have lost my muse and can't find her. I'm not even sure how to get her back!

D. U. Okonkwo said...

8000 words in such a short time! That's an awesome achievement, well done!

Kittie Howard said...

Wow, 8000 words. That's awesome! Your muse is definitely back! Be sure and give it a morsel of chocolate now and then!