When The Muse Returns

Writing is a strange activity. Nearly everyone thinks they can do it. But when you eventually sit behind the keyboard, it’s a very different matter.

I’ve run into a number of people that tell me that they are writers. Without exception, when I’ve asked them what they’ve written they’ve responded “I’ve started 3 plays/novels”. When I ask them what they’ve finished, they tend to get uppity and change the subject.

A writer isn’t someone that writes… It’s someone that finishes writing.

I admit on the site that I have a lot of Work in Progresses… That’s just code for something I haven’t finished.

I’m lucky that I can develop a number of ideas. I can even write a half-way decent synopsis for those ideas. But when it comes to writing the scenario… nothing… I can’t believe a word that I’m writing.

Theatre is about passion. To keep an audience member in their (generally uncomfortable) seat, they have to emote with what’s happening on the stage. If you can’t believe the stuff your writing, you can’t expect the audience to sit through it. The result is, the manuscript ‘goes on the backburner’ (translation: ignore it until it goes away).

I’ve had this feeling for nearly a year now. Everything I’ve written recently hasn’t excited me. It’s like being a drug addict or alcoholic. You get your first high and away your run… nothing can stop you. You try it again, it’s still good, but not as good as the first time. Sooner or later, the high isn’t there, you’re just itching a scratch. So, you move on to something stronger and the high is bigger than the first one!

I’ve had this really excited feeling about one of my Work in Progresses, The Breakfast Show for ages now… but every time I’ve played with the scenario, it’s turned out flat.

The other day I decided to have another stab at it. I was away from home, so I didn’t have the original files, so I had to start from scratch. Not that I thought this would pose a problem – I knew the idea, I could knock out the character profiles and synopsis in a couple of hours. And indeed I did.

Then to develop the dreaded scenario… Cautiously, I opened a new file and started typing… and typing… And Typing…

This just wanted to be written. The characters had taken over my brain and were escaping through my fingers. “Stop. Something’s not right here! It can’t be this easy!”

I stopped. I re-read what I had written… I believed it! More than that, I was excited by what I read. “Don’t question it, just keep writing!”

My muse had obviously taken residence again, and I wasn’t going to question her.

When I eventually got home, I told my wife that I was really writing again, so I could be in for a few sleepless nights. Her face turned into that I’m really pleased, but I know you’re going to be impossible to live with until this one’s finished look she’s mastered so well as she made me a flask of coffee.

I sat myself down for a marathon session and referred to my original files… There it was… There was the reason I was finding it so much easier this time! I had unintentionally swapped some of the traits between characters. Re-reading my original files, I couldn’t understand how I could have assigned the traits the way I had.

Gleefully, I deleted the originals and inserted my new files. I drained my flask and made it to bed by a sensible 5AM (my alarm is set for 6:15AM).

Okay, I may be tired… But at least I’m feeling fulfilled! I’ve got a feeling you’re going to love this one.

I’ll let you know when I’ve finished the scenario!

Who need heroin…? I’ve got a word processor!