June 23, 2009

Born With It

You may recall my recent boo-hooing about writer's block and the really quite inspirational Haiku I wrote as a result, which captured my tortured frame of mind quite nicely, I think. This was only one dusty footprint in an arid dearth of fiction for me; and it had actually gone on for the greater part of three years—boy, was I thirsty—ever since I received 100 rejections for what is surely the greatest American masterpiece never sold.

But woo-hoo! The dam has broken, and the water is now flowing through the gullies—thanks in large part to my writing partner Winter (the witty muse for Crib-Notes and HorseCentric), who allows me to be chatty during critique meetings. Yes, chattiness is encouraged. But only a special kind of chattiness. No mention of kids and bodily functions, no sordid true confessions (actually, the sordid ones are okay), and no whining about whether we'll ever be paid, published novelists or not. Cuz we will. No, this chattiness turns our mushy blocked brains into super powers.

Here's why. Most women don't even know what they think until they say it. And since knowledge energizes our creative juices, we can use this byproduct of natural female communication to flesh out scenes, challenge our characters' motives, and insert all manner of dark and twisty rivers for our readers to float along on. And isn't that much better than banging your brain against a blinking cursor while flogging yourself silly? (Stupid, stupid, stupid.) Because with flogging comes cussing and drinking and Haiku writing you can't show your mother. Well, I can show my mother, but maybe yours would gasp and recoil in horror. Which might actually be kind of fun. Try this at home and report back.



To answer the age-old question, YES, we were born with it: the chatty gene. It's just how we're wired. This little girl was just testing out a story idea (and as usual, the man did not get it). As a writer with biology on my side and Winter on my case (she is a slave driver), things are looking up. One o' these days I will once again have a polished manuscript to shop around. And maybe some more Haiku. Bet you can't wait for that.
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31 comments:

Sharon Rose said...

That child is the funniest little girl! Just wait until she has learned a few words in English! I love it!

Brittany said...

What an adorable little girl! I bet my mom would say thats how I was at her age. Chattiness must be in the genes :) What a cute post!

Anonymous said...

Oh that video just went around in emails, isn't it just the cutest and doesn't it just say so much about females?!! I love it!!

diane said...

OMG, I love that baby! And if you are anything like that baby, I love you too.
I'm so glad you are done with your writer's block. What a cute post. xo

Cynthia L. H. said...

EXCELLENT advice on overcoming writer's block! LOVE your perspective!
:^)
SO fantastic that they caught the little pink princesses' monologue on film! O.M.G!!! I laughed 'til I cried!
:^)

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"One o' these days I will once again have a polished manuscript to shop around."

Get on it, girl!

♥ Braja said...

I wanna see that on caffeine :)

Rebel Mother said...

What a little chatterbox!

Her Dad's gonna need earplugs when she's 14! I dont think she paused for breath!

Very funny RMxx

Anonymous said...

A friend sent me this video last week and I giggle every time I watch it. What an amazing child she is.

DI
The Blue Ridge Gal

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Have seen this a ton of times and love it still!!

Hallie :)

Justine said...

So tell me, what kind of book have you written? Inquiring minds wanna know.

And OMG, but that little baby's jabbering was hysterical!

Justine :o )

Julie D said...

That is hilarious! Funny, funny little girl...

Anonymous said...

It happens once a week...

My wife looks at me and tells me that she can't understand how much my 4 year old daughter talks...

"Damn..." she says, "...that girl never shuts up. Can you believe it? Just when you think you have a minute of silence-blah-blah-blah-de-blah-blah-blah...."

I just look up and stare and shake my head.

Twenty Four At Heart said...

So cute! I think I'm missing the chatty gene though. I'm very quiet and introverted ... Well, at least until I really know someone well. Then there's no shutting me up.

mzbehavin said...

I chase Writer's block away with Oreos.......

Does it work, you ask???


Welll.....


I've never been published.....


and I've gone up 2 pants sizes....


Hopefully something happens before I become famous.......

For having to be taken out of my house with a crane......


In the meanwhile....


Keep the inspiration.... and the giggles coming.........


( it keeps some of us out the oreos......)

Michele R said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your post about the hair seen in the visor window was hysterical. And sadly, relatable.
I will check out your friend, Midlife Jobhunter as you've suggested.

Madame DeFarge said...

Fab. Loved it. I write at work, so can rarely have writer's block, but sometimes struggle to make it sensible. Maybe I should just gossip about it instead. Might be easier.

Unknown said...

Chatty? These are deep philosophical explorations of life altering proportions, over chips and sasa (aka writer grease).

:)

Did you work on your novel today?

Fragrant Liar said...

Writer's sustenance. Must. Have. Chips. And salsa.

anon said...

Hell, I don't often know what I've said even AFTER I've said it.

And I do look forward to your book of Haiku!

Suzy said...

Now get your asses out here and finish my book. And dishes.

Suzy said...

And that little girl is the funniest video EVER.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

It is soooo true. Men (at least mine) has to think about every damn word that comes out of his mouth before he finally spits it out. Women have to say it first and then decide if that is really what we think. What's so hard to understand about that?

I know exactly how that little girl in the video feels. I said that very same thing just the other day to a friend.

Vic said...

Happy to hear the writer's block is losing it's grip on you!

That is one smart little girl. With a lot to say.

Stepping said...

Writer's block? I've been reading you for months now and haven't noticed any "block". Maybe I wouldn't know it if it hit me in the face.
That little girl is hilarious. I think I've seen that same look on my husbands face when our daughter was little.

Mum Gone Mad said...

The chatty gene, I love it! Oh and hello to you too :) OMG I have two girls and they are already exhibiting um shall we say chatty behaviour... I'm doomed lol. Nite luv Karen x

Mike said...

Your post was wonderful! I hope that the weather is nice and all the flowers are in bloom and that everything goes how it is planned! (I know that this has no bearing on that cute little kid and chattiness, but I have to be careful not to give you women any more ammo in your war on Otin!) :) Love your roast comments!!!!!

Nancy said...

It is just that we need to work things out --- verbally. That little baby is so adorable!

Fragrant Liar said...

Thanks for visiting my site, Mum. I think it's the reason women chat so much. We need to know what we're thinking. It's crazy that everyone else learns it at the same time. :) But I'm convinced this is true.

Fragrant Liar said...

I'm trying a new thing, y'all. Responding to comments via email. But of course, not everybody has their email linked to their blog name. So if I can't get back to you via your email address, I'll try to respond to as many comments as I can here. This commenting is sometimes so hard to keep up with!

But I love it, and I love you guys leaving me comments, so don't stop! I appreciate you all.

Hit 40 said...

Loved your comments on Otin's roast :-)

Didn't know you had it in you!!! Very good.