I recently went through yet another period where I was having a hard time writing. Actually, I could write, I had no problem putting words on paper. However, my creativity took a hard hit. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve sat in front of my computer trying to decide what to write, tossing one bad idea aside after another.  I was ready to fling my computer out the window along with the strands of hair I wanted to yank out.

I mean seriously, I’ve been writing for 5 years, I know all about creative blocks but this one had me bordering on panic. I was convinced I would never have another good idea again, washed up, done, career over.

Before I ended up bald with a bruised and bloodied forehead, I closed my laptop and walked away. The guilt was horrible, I had deadlines dammit, commitments, people counting on me. But in the end, it didn’t matter. The story simply wouldn’t come.

You know, it’s funny. So many people tell me what a gravy job I have, how blessed I am. I completely agree with the former but not that latter. Yes I get to work from home, yes I get to tell and share stories, yes I LOVE what I do. However, gravy isn’t a word I would use to describe my job, nor would I ever use the word easy.

I know I’m not the only author who feels this way. I’ve spoken with many who have faced the same challenges. The one thing we all agree on, is no one thing works for everyone. Hell sometimes something that helped overcome the block last time has no effect on the current one. I tried several things that had worked in the past with no results. I finally decided to completely walk away from the computer, including social media for awhile and give my brain a rest. I spent time with my Boobear, my LuLu bug, and my family. I worked my butt off on projects I’ve neglected around the house as well as spending many hours helping others with theirs. It took a couple of months but by the time I was ready to sit down at the computer and try once again, the words flowed and not just words, but good words. Good sentences and paragraphs and plots and…..

I wrote Something’s Brewing at Joe’s in 3 weeks. It wasn’t ready to submit, needed work but the first draft was pretty good, it had potential. After another two weeks it was ready to submit!! And it kept going… Remember When flowed out of me and now it suddenly seems like I can’t write fast enough for the ideas running through my mind.  *sighs in relief*

I’m not washed up, my career isn’t over, I simply needed some time to declutter the dust bunnies that had taken up residence to give room for the plot bunnies to play 🙂

Meet Jo Peterson

SJD Peterson, better known as Jo, hails from Michigan. Not the best place to live for someone who hates the cold and snow. When not reading or writing, Jo can be found close to the heater checking out NHL stats and watching the Red Wings kick a little butt. Can’t cook, misses the clothes hamper nine out of ten tries, but is handy with power tools.

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