Facing the blank page

I’m determined to write a post today, but at the moment my mind is blank.  Anyone who knows me will tell you I talk at 500 words per minute with gusts up to 750 WPM.  That’s my spouse’s saying, actually, but there’s truth to it.

Many people also know I blog here and on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/mysterymarilynne). Why would I do such a thing if words didn’t flow out of my fingers like rivers from mountains?  (Sorry about the bad analogy.)  The truth is, I’m never at a loss for words.  I can talk on any subject for five minutes, and you can name the subject.  Accuracy might be another thing, but I can talk.

What’s there about a blank page that causes the best of us to freeze up?

• Expectations.  Will what I write be wonderful enough?
• Reputation.  I’ve got a reputation to think of.
• Lack of Ideas.  Oh!  Come on.  I have lots of ideas.
• Laziness.  I can buy that one.  It takes a bit of effort to write on a blank page, even if it’s a simulated page on a computer.
• What?  I don’t think there is a good reason.

So, what’s so awful about entering words on a blank page?  Nothing.

Is it OK to waste someone’s time talking about this dread thing?  Probably not.  But I have and I apologize.  However, I did fill a page with words.

The next time you face a blank page and you know you have to write something, try just putting words on a page at random.  After a while you’ll find yourself ready and willing to do the job you meant to do.

Marilynne