Writer's block, an owner's guide: Happy New year again!

All of 2007 I have been working on a boat on the Nile as a bellydancer in Cairo. My dreams have come true!!!!

Wait…

Wait, I got confused. Sorry, that’s not my life. I’m the Scottish country boy who got brought over here to California by an award-winning Hollywood writer-director 9 years ago. The bellydancer is… let me think… yes, one of my dearest friends from the old days, who leads a life at least as exotic and marvelous as mine.

A couple weeks ago I was in LA, talking to a well-established screenwriter who said this: “I’ve never known anyone to fail at screenwriting who had talent and perseverance.” That’s encouraging, isn’t it? The only thing the talented person needs is perseverance?

And perseverance is what I’ve been writing about on this website for close to four years and actively researching and writing papers on for five. Perseverance is doable. Why would you persevere? Because forget about those drops of blood on your forehead, that’s hyperbole, that never happened to anyone, the truth is writing is easier than bellydancing or digging ditches (take it from me, I’ve tried all three).

What’s the proof of your talent? I don’t mean what have you sold. I only mean how do you know you’re a writer?

See? - I knew you had an answer. And what’s the proof of your ability to persevere (not necessarily with writing)?

Ok then. In 2008 let’s write!

Don’t set yourself a crazy target on day 1, you know where that leads. But begin. A sentence will do. You may also dance.

Published on December 31, 2007 at 7:34 am. Linking to this article? Thank you! The permanent address is http://www.todayiwrite.com/journal/happy-new-year-again.html

1 Comment

How lovely to be quoted in your website!!!

only thing I would query was this line though ‘The only thing the talented person needs is perseverance’ I wish…..

Here in Cairo to succeed you also have to know a LOT of people, well. Networking is what it is all about here, unfortunalty.

as for writing being easier than bellydancing- I’d have to agree with you too!!! Although I love both, I suspect people love to watch me dance more than they love reading my blog…. but who knows…….

keep enjoying life and keep writing about it- thats what i am doing!!!

Comment by Bellylorna — January 6, 2008 @ 10:12 am

Today I Write