Yesterday I experienced one of those light-bulb moments–you know where you get an idea that lights up your mind, and it is all you can see. In that moment, I thought: This is what I should be working on. I need to chuck my current book and go with this idea. And for a few minutes I entertained doing just that.
That is, of course, a mood. Moods can be strong, they can be light, they can be silly and playful or dark and discouraging. But they are just that– simply a mood. They will pass. Writers need to know this. They need to know how to use the mood and not be a victim of it.
Moods are a form of distraction. Something to take us away from where we are at the moment. I believe half the time distracting moods can be from the devil, or our particular devils that each of us have to deal with. Writer Deborah Chester has recently written a really great post about Staying on Track, and I recommend you read it. She lists a number of distractions writers face. I’m adding moods to the list.
How I handled the mood yesterday was to first realize that was what it was. Honestly, this took me maybe fifteen minutes, and I did it reluctantly. I wanted to cling to the view that my idea was akin to striking gold. It wasn’t until I woke up this morning and it was gone that I realized I had almost fallen victim to the mood’s pull.
I took a look at where it had come from. I realized that I was unhappy with how slow my book was moving–or seemed to be moving, because I kept re-writing. I realized, too, that I tend to see all the things wrong with my story, rather than inventory the good points. And there is the other life, the life of the woman, Nana, homeowner, wife, with all of her creative ideas that clamor to be realized. As I write this, I’m hurrying because grandson is soon to appear on my doorstep, and I’m to refinish a precious antique door that I love. And I do so want another cup of tea.
Thankfully, the writing of this post has put me back on track. I’ve seen things I can do in the writing of my novel, and things I like about it. My characters are right at my shoulder, smiling at me and clapping.
Now I’m challenged and encouraged– a new mood. There. The next time I find myself victim of a distracting mood, I do what every writer does. I’ll write about it and write myself into a focused mood.
Happy writing, painting, gardening, living today!
~CurtissAnn
Curtiss Ann Matlock 
4 responses to “Victim of Mood”
‘Happy writing, painting, gardening, living today!’
Yes I believe I will! Love ya, you wondeful writer!!
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You are a great encourager, Maxie! Not to mention splendid and skilled artist! Hugs, CurtissAnn
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As always, your journal elevated my mood, and changed my mind.
One of our dogs barked as if our house had been invaded. I rolled out of bed and investigated. There was nobody. So I let the barker, Walter Glass, out the back door to patrol the yard. Walter, I should mention is a new adoptee, a Polish Cur, no longer skin and bones but sleek and heavily muscled, a dog such as I’d hate to meet in the dark. He tore across the yard, checked our neighbor’s chain-link party fence, maybe hoping to see his friend Leo (a grey-blue pit bull) but Leo and his family have recently moved and his house is vacant. Walter dashed around my boat trailer, the boat on its cradle, and both of my sheds. He was gone for several worrisome minutes, out of sight behind my workshop. Just when I was about to wade into the wet grass barefoot, our calico cat came around the front of my truck with Walter licking its tail. The two would pause on their way to the back door to nuzzle each other. And then they came in, rubbing my bare legs in passing. It was as if to say: “What are you doing out here in your skivvies, boss?”
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Oh, thank you for sharing the moment with your precious dogs and cat. I can see them! A very good beginning of the day indeed.
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