Winter of Discontent

Published on February 20, 2014February 20, 2014 by Jean M. Cogdell3 Comments

The Winter of Our Discontent popped in my mind last night as I tossed and turned, trying to fall asleep. I think, now that I’m older I might appreciate John Steinbeck more. While the story didn’t fit my situation, the title spoke volumes. I won’t bother you with the details. I’m sure you’ve had your share of troubles where life was put on hold by circumstances. Things happen and all anyone can do is hold on, going with the flow, hoping not to drown before reaching the end of the rapids. Writing goes to the bottom of your list, once more its in the realm of your dreams.

Everyday my Inbox has been filled with how- to overcome writer’s block in one form or another. Most of them said, just do it. I didn’t have writer’s block. I had life circumstances block. The only fix for that is time. I hit the delete button.

Well, Spring is almost here. My mind is clicking again, and once more, the characters I love are visiting me. Although, I do wish they wouldn’t pick so late at night to visit. I do need my sleep. For the last few days, just as I’m drifting off, they slip into my mind and whisper they want to come out and play. Too bad they’re gone in the morning. But at least with the coming of spring, and the calming of circumstances, they are tiptoeing back into the forefront of my life. It’s good to be back in the groove.

Has life ever pushed you in a ditch?

How did you get your writing groove back?

Cover of "The Winter of Our Discontent" — Cover of The Winter of Our Discontent

Getting Creative

Published on August 28, 2013 by Jean M. CogdellLeave a comment

Summer is almost over but you’d never know it here in Texas. The heat is still in the triple digits and I have the summer blues. My brain feels like it’s been cooked and turned to molasses. I must not be alone. Seems as if every other email today was regarding a must read book on how to get back to your writing muse. Well I’ve too many books, too little time now and did I mention it’s too damn hot.

Me, I’m all into short cuts. Easier the better. Now don’t go writing to me how nothing worthwhile in life is easy… Did I mention how hot it is here in Dallas?

Now where was I? Oh yeah. While I was reading yet another email, about another great book, I wondered if there might be an easier way to achieve the same results. Oh dear me, see my mind is mush. That was a terrible sentence. Anyway… the book this blogger ask me to consider was a book of prompts. So as my daughter is so fond of saying, I Googled it. And voila! I found quite a few.

But I’m not going to bombard you with them, it’s too damn hot. Here are a couple I liked and I found to be fun. Check them out. Creativity Games.net http://creativitygames.net/creative-writing-prompts, or http://stiobhard.tripod.com/html/javascript/words/writing_prompt_generator.html. Of course you could just Google Writing Prompt Generator and find a different one to your liking.

Here is the four word prompt I used from Creativity Games.net and the results. Have fun and find your Muse.

barrel
pyjamas
clown
decay

I slipped a coat on over my pyjamas and went outside. Some clown had left the barn door open. At the opening I wrinkled my nose at the stench of decay. No one had mucked the stalls in days. The smell grew worse as I neared a large barrel at the back of the barn.

Top Ten Prompts to Inspire Creative Writing (writingthefire.wordpress.com)
When Copying Is Good For Your Career (elabreywriter.wordpress.com)
Karavansara’s Friday Prompts (karavansara.wordpress.com)
Jumpstart Your Poetry with Over 1000 Prompts (thestarvingwriterblog.wordpress.com)
What I tell myself when I don’t feel ready when inspiration strikes (sophia-greene.com)
5 Things To Do If You Lose Your Muse (jeanfischer.wordpress.com)

Happy Hour

Published on June 25, 2013 by Jean M. Cogdell2 Comments

We’ve all joked about having a stiff one at the end of the day. And I’m sure most of you know Jimmy Buffett’s popular song, “It’s five o’clock somewhere”.

Today it’s time to get drunk. Life can be hard and life can be fun, if you’re drunk it doesn’t matter. Yes, you heard me right. So, I’m gonna dust myself off and grab the gusto while I still can.

Pick a passion, grab it with both hands and hold on for dear life. The word drunk means intoxicated, and under the influence but not just on margaritas. Think of who and what influences you every day. The people, or things that put a smile on your face and help you make it through the night. Then get drunk on life.

My thanks to Flash Fiction Chronicles for reminding me to look for these things today and for the thought provoking works of Charles Baudelaire.

Be Drunk

By Charles Baudelaire

translated by Louis Simpson

You have to be always drunk. That’s all there is to it—it’s the only way.

So as not to feel the horrible burden of time that breaks your back and bends you to the earth, you have to be continually drunk.

But on what? Wine, poetry or virtue, as you wish. But be drunk.

And if sometimes, on the steps of a palace or the green grass of a ditch, in the mournful solitude of your room, you wake again, drunkenness already diminishing or gone, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, everything that is flying, everything that is groaning, everything that is rolling, everything that is singing, everything that is speaking. Ask what time it is and wind, wave, star, bird, clock will answer you: “It is time to be drunk! So as not to be the martyred slaves of time, be drunk, be continually drunk! On wine, on poetry or on virtue as you wish.”

– See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16054#sthash.dR0XZcHr.dpuf

Be Drunk by Charles Baudelaire (thejourneytoadream.wordpress.com)
One Chilly Night in Margaritaville (rattleandhumsports.com)
How One Jimmy Buffett Song Became A $100 Million Empire (businessinsider.com)
Margarita (cocktailtube.wordpress.com)

Lover of Wine

Published on May 5, 2013May 5, 2013 by Jean M. Cogdell1 Comment

We drove up a long imposing drive and parked among silver Benz and extended limos. Then we walked past the main house toward a large barn and the Beaujolais Festival. I’d thought it a strange idea, to pair French wine and Texas. Since I prefered a bottle of Miller Lite rather than glass of wine; it was my daughter idea to attend the magical night at South Fork Ranch. The evening wore on, and I left on the arm of a handsome man wearing boots, a lover of wine.