Maybe I need more fiber?

I haven't been able to write anything for several days now.

When I say "haven't been able" I don't mean that I'm physically incapable of writing anything. I also don't mean that I don't have any ideas. I just mean that when I set out to actually perform the act of writing it just . . . isn't there.

I mean, when I think, "I need to be writing now," it's like some sort of paralysis sets in and I can't move until I decide, "Okay, later." Then I can move again.

I guess you could relate it to some form of constipation--the ideas are there, and the interest in putting them down is there, but it just won't come out. Yeah, I know that's an extremely unflattering comparison but it's better to me than the other one that springs to mind, that being impotence.

Eventually it'll all build up and then explode in a burst of creativity that will shock the world. Or overflow a few toilets.

I hope. Honestly, I don't really know how this happened. It can't be that I'm depressed--dealing with depression is what got me started writing in the first place. I write more when I'm depressed. Sometimes, when I'm really depressed, writing is the only thing I can do.

Maybe it's because I'm not depressed? Hmmm . . . I wonder if I could go into therapy for that. "Doc, I need to be depressed because I can't write when I'm content with life."

Of course, I could just watch the news . . .

Well, my plan to deal with this situation--for now--is to watch a few of my favorite movies. Sometimes watching one of those--Alien is a really good example--gives me just the kick in the ass I need to do something.

We'll see. I know I'll get over this eventually, if not today, then soon. In the meantime I'll have revisited some of the films that inform and inspire me.

I'd say that's a win-win situation.