‘Milk’ing the Cow and Writer’s Block

I am approximately 50,000 words into my latest work, a science fiction/humor work called “Galactic Milk.” A few of you read pieces of it online.

I can see the finish line. I know how it will end, which is rare for anything I write (I usually write the finale last. I am told that I am unlike many writers, who tend to write the ending first). “Milk” began as something of a lark. However, when I realized I had 43,000 words –that I had an actual book — I got excited. I decided I should probably finish it.

I’m tiptoeing into the third act now. I really like the direction the whole thing has gone and is going. Characters making sacrifices. Dozens of 1980s references that tie into the story. Almost everything is making sense. Now it’s time for me to tackle the 25th chapter.

The challenge is this: I’m not sure what to say yet.

Now, I won’t call this writer’s block. I hate the term to begin with. Writer’s block is, well, an excuse.  Writer’s block is a sexy and romantic way of stalling or, for some, being lazy. I don’t disagree it can be a mental block. I just don’t buy it in 90 percent of the people I hear it from.

That’s because, more times than not, necessity is the mother of invention. No one would have writer’s block if they needed to a comfortable place to lie, to keep the heat on in their apartment or feed their family. So, “writer’s block” strikes me as something counter to actually doing what’s necessary for the story and to my work. Harlan Ellison is right. But I do also agree with him here about “the deadline” and not going to the grave with that story unfinished (Ellison is pure genius).

To be clear, I’m not saying “Writer’s Block” doesn’t exist and that writers, like baseball players, can’t get on hot and cold streaks (Ellison addresses that in the second linked video). It does. They can. However, whenever I hear someone talking about “writer’s block,” it just usually sounds more like “writer’s ‘I’ll get to it when I feel like it’” or “Writer’s ‘my head’s in another place.’”

My own work stoppages have come for other reasons: work stress is one. Family time is another. I get interested in other things. In my world, “writer’s block” is another way of saying that life — with a full-time job, a family and friends — can interfere with things. Rather than romanticizing it, I’d prefer to just say, “My 4-year-old wanted my time more than my manuscript did.” My work colleague at the Marshall Center and published author John Le Beau talks a bit about his own process, which is also affected by family and work.

I envy full-time writers. However, I realize that I am a full-time writer (I write a mound of copy during the day for a website and other uses). I also write news and feature stories as part of my job. Still, I’m jealous of those who can take six, right or 10 hours a day to write, edit and noodle with their creative fiction and nonfiction. It is rare the days I have to indulge that sort of time.

Further, some people can write anywhere at any time. I cannot. I find my creative juice flowing most times after 7 p.m. Friends of mine wake up at 5 a.m. to write. The Absolute Write forums sage Uncle Jim (writer James D. MacDonald) talks about getting up at 3 a.m. to write. I’d prefer to work after 8 or 9 p.m. and stay up until 2 a.m. However, many days, it’s just not possible.

I’ll eventually get back to “Milk.” And something will be said. Right now, however, I’m focused on other things. Plus, there also isn’t a necessity to finish Milk.  I’d equate more with my own poor preparation and lack of execution. I’ve raced through 50,000 words and got to this point. And now, I’m not prepared to say anything about it yet (even though I have something of a roadmap in front of me). But I will. Probably soon.

So, what stops you from writing? How are you encumbered/unencumbered by life in your work and how does it affect you?

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