Getting Unstuck

She said:

1. Start fresh.
2. Start in the middle of the story if you have to. We can stitch everything together later.
3. Great start. Now step back and let it go. Don't hang on to it too much.
4. Keep a file of snippets of random thought.
5. Maybe it would help if you say things first. Then write them down.
6. Go back to the moments that struck you. Write about sensory things. Insight will come later.
7. Writing helps process the experience.
8. Do not use first person.
9. Don't judge a place. It can be different for everybody.
10. Focus on what strikes you the most.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I am tired but deciding to pick myself up today.

It feels like there's this huge block on my mind and I can't wait to get rid of it. My room is a mess, I haven't had exercise in ages and I haven't reviewed the finances because I can't seem to do much else until its over.

Perhaps a new camera and netbook can serve as inspiration?

Excerpt

Then again there must be a reason why I was chosen. I think the universe heard that I wanted so bad to be a better writer - and sent me the perfect challenge to push me to reach higher. Funny how the world works. I wonder if I should be more careful with what I ask for, because - and I say this without arrogance - I usually get it.

Nonetheless, I feel that my writing has vastly improved. Though I know I still have much to learn, the 500 words I wrote this morning is probably one of my best work yet. Unpretentious, honest, yet filled with interesting detail. I wrote with my heart. Though writing each sentence still felt like childbirth (or what I imagine childbirth to feel like), I am less afraid now. And the voice that tells me I'm not good enough grows smaller and smaller with every word I write. I can hear myself more now. And what I hear is beautiful.