The computer is on, the Word document is open and a blank screen sits in front of me.
A voice inside my head says: “Well go on then – type something.”
I answer that voice: “I don’t know what to type.”
Another voice speaks – it is Captain Paranoia:
“Ha ha ha! You have no stupid ideas for your stupid blog – it’s over! The Plastic Mancunian is no more. HA HA HA HA!”
I reply: “It’s just writer’s block – bugger off!”
I am a realist striving to be an optimist so I won’t be beaten by a touch of blogging block. I’ve written all sorts of nonsense on this blog – why can’t I do it again?
Something will happen.
All I need is some inspiration. I close my eyes – and rack my brain. It is devoid of ideas.
Where did they all go? I claim on this very blog to have a superb and weird imagination. There must be SOMETHING in that vast creepy universe that I can write about.
Something…
Anything…
Nothing!
Nothing at all!
Bugger! Is Captain Paranoia right? Is my alternative persona fatally wounded?
Will the Plastic Mancunian disappear into the ether?
Not if I can help it. I click on Windows Media Player and hit a random tune to see if that gets the creative juices flowing.
Supertramp – Sister Moonshine
Mmm – shall I write about my favourite Supertramp songs?
Bugger! I've done that!
Next song; Dream Theater – Under a Glass Moon.
Mmm – shall I write about my favourite Dream Theater songs?
No – not many people out there know about Dream Theater and I may find myself ranting about the state of music again – and I’ve done that.
Then I remember a book I bought called “The Writers Block” – a small cuboid book packed full of ideas to inspire writers (which I guess I am – a plastic writer perhaps). I open it at a random page:
Spark word: Waiting
Bugger – I’m waiting for inspiration; that’s a frustrating spark if ever I heard one.
Crap – I’m stuck.
Captain Paranoia resurfaces:
“You may as well give up now…and delete the blog while you’re on.”
Maybe he’s right. Maybe I am struggling because I have run out of ideas.
I’ve written 344 posts and I can’t write one more – about anything!
Anything!
Writer’s block – my imagination won’t talk to me. What have I done to it?
Next song: The Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen In Love
I remember that song – from my youth. I liked that song – it brings back memories. Good memories.
A spark.
A massive spark.
Memories and music.
That’s it! That’s what I’ll do – I’ll trawl my music collection and select songs from my collection. It is vast – there are too many songs.
How about a song a day?
How about 31 songs – a song a day for an entire month – and stories about my life at that time?
Too much for one post – but what a great idea.
Captain Paranoia – get back in you hole. I can now write 31 posts – maybe for January.
Count them Captain Paranoia - 31 posts!!!
Captain Paranoia: “Doesn’t help you for December though – idiot.”
Yes it does. I can write a post about writer's block.
NOW GO AWAY!!!!
Inspiration can be found from the most unlikely sources. If you suffer from writer's block – write about that – and listen to some music - ideas will come.
Inspiration is out there for everyone. It’s just a matter of finding it. Thanks to the Buzzcocks ...
I start typing:
The computer is on, the Word document is open and a blank screen sits in front of me...
