In praise of the blank page

They say ...

... Just who are 'they' anyway?

There's nothing worse than staring at a blank page

I personally LOVE a blank page/screen.

It is still in a state of perfection. The blank screen is actually unsoiled and unspoiled. There are no typographical errors. The illusive showing but not telling mix hasn't been disturbed. Nothing offensive or insensitive has been recorded for the world to see.

The first keystroke changes all of that. Then comes the doubt, the fear, the concern. The next keystroke redoubles it. It can almost be paralytic.

But no longer.

The screen can easily be deleted, sometimes too much too. 

The journey can always be begun again.

Maybe things were better longhand or via typewriter. There was more courage and less second guessing. More permanence and less redrafting the same line over and over again.

They, the unknown, those who live in the ethers should exert no more control over me than I do over them.

With that, it is time to get out my three ring notebook and scribble. 

City Museum, Florence, AZ

YAY it is a Yei!

Yei  - Mystery Castler, Phoenix, AZ

YAY! (Actually, it is a Yei - Navajo I think)  Motivation is coming ... words are trickling out!

figuring out Camp ...

My dearest, my darling, my one, my beloved Hunter figured out how to set up a cabin ... she is even providing the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows.

(Mystery Castle, Phoenix, AZ
good place to make smores)

I just have to come up with kindling, sticks, and a place to make fire. 

For me to actually write,I have gotten out the old music that worked for how long?

Yep. I'm doing sing alongs with Jose Jose and Alejandro Fernandez ... 

everyone needs something to write on

I finally figured out the theme song - Besame Mucho ... unfortunately, I have 18 versions of it and need to choose just one that I can play into the ground. Tonight's song has been Eres (you are) ... it works with a coffee theme ... I just need one for miscommunication - and soon.

home of the Plot Bunny

Time to pitch a tent ... for Camp Nano

1941 Migrant Work Camp - Farming ... Idaho
Library of Congress

So, even ground has been found ... the tent has been pitched ... the bag has been unpacked ... now if I could just find a typewriter ...

The first 350ish words have been scribbled. 

A slow start, but it is indeed a start.

Maybe 50,000 is a bit ambitious?

10,000 might work ... I'll have to see how far I can push and how it feels.

Camp Nano ... a new (to me) holiday/celebration/event

In the attempt to re-ignite the muse, for real this time, I am joining a friend for Camp Nano!

I did music camp as a kid and only ever did tent camping once, it did not go well.

(how I would have looked , had I been a puggle, at the end of an actual camping trip)

Me? I think the wardrobe can be the thing ... but not always.

 It should be more about the equipment ... the keyboard, the chair, and the tenacity to sit before a screen each and every day.

 

So, we're gonna try it again.

I am currently shooting for 50,000 words, but will be thrilled if I can actually do 10,000.

Wish me well.

Oh, can you pass the marshmallows?