By Elspeth Antonelli
10. The mug of coffee by your side seems to have cooled incredibly fast. You know you couldn’t have spent that much time reading emails and checking in on Facebook.
9. That idea that kept you up last night (and you were so sure you’d remember that you didn’t take notes) has vanished without a trace.
8. At the same moment that your fingers touch the keyboard, your previously peacefully snoozing pets leap up and begin a vigorous reenactment of the D Day landings at Normandy.
7. The dialogue which sounded so bright, witty and (let’s just say it) literary in your head has revealed itself to be trite, cliche-filled and (let’s just say it) stupid on paper.
6. You’ve spent the last 15 minutes imagining how you’ll feel when you finish this manuscript. You’re presently on page 10.
5. You love your plot. You love your characters. It’s your actual writing of which you’re not so enamoured.
4. Your coffee has cooled again. You know you couldn’t have spent that much time reading and commenting on your favorite blogs.
3. You decide to get up and get active. Whilst moving around you can’t help but notice your feet are sticking to the floor and you wonder idly how long it’s been since you washed it. You immediately decide this line of thought could be dangerous to your writing, but grudgingly admit this sticky a floor might be dangerous to your health.
2. Moving to a bookshelf, you pick out one of your favorite novels for inspiration. After only a few sentences you know in your heart that you will never write as well as this author. Practice self-restraint and reach for the cold coffee instead of the wine.
1. You sit back down and face your blank screen. Summoning the inner strength of St. Joan of Arc, you pound out a sentence. It isn’t completely awful. Resist the urge to belt out “Tomorrow” from “Annie”. Your pets will judge you. Harshly.
