Jennifer Lyon


Friday, November 14th, 2014
Happy Friday & Writer’s Block

So last night at dinner, Wizard and I were talking about Writer’s Block.

But before I get to that conversation,  while I was cooking dinner Wizard got super suspicious. “What are you doing?”

“Cooking.” I was actually cutting up fresh broccoli to steam. We were having chicken, rice and broccoli.

But Wizard had a problem with that. However he knows better than to say, I don’t want vegetables because that conversation never goes well for him. Instead, he’s employed this new tactic of acting like I’m trying to get him fat. With vegetables. Seriously. So he says in a completely annoyed voice, “You’re making THREE things for dinner? Isn’t that too much? We agreed to cut back.”

I’m so on to him. “Oh don’t worry.”

Now he’s worried. “Why not?”

I held up the plate of fresh broccoli all prepped to steam. “I’m cooking this broccoli juussstttt to piss you off.”

He burst into laughter. That was the last I heard about the broccoli. He even ate some of it.

Okay so while eating dinner, Wizard says, “So what’s the deal with your book. I thought you were happy writing this.”

“I am.”

“Uh huh. You’re burping puppies and rainbows, Sunshine.”

“What???” I mean seriously, what?

“I didn’t want to say farting puppies and rainbows at the dinner table.”

<<Insert loud choking. Do not try to drink water and NOT laugh at the same time. I was NOT laughing. >>

Anyhow…once I recovered, he said, “So do you have writer’s block or something?”

“Ugh, not writer’s block. Me and Batman pretty much agree on writer’s block.”

Holy Writer's Block Batman

Now that Wizard had that visual in his head, he said, “So what is it?”

“Middle of the book craziness. Here’s the thing, Linc lost control of his bloodlust and tried to attack Risa (He didn’t touch her, she’s fine). He’s been working to build her trust and then this…so I have to figure out how to come back from that. I’ve written probably six different scenes, and now I’m taking apart three of them and putting those together into the scene I think will work. That will show that she was betrayed and upset, while understanding that this is his reality and WHY he needs her to break the curse that causes the bloodlust. This scene needs to have emotional impact and ultimately bring them closer together and build on their connection so the reader can feel it and believe in them.

But I won’t know if I’ve succeeded until I try to  write the NEXT scene. If I’ve hit the right emotions in my characters, then the next scene will practically write itself. But if I’m stuck and hating it, or feel like the scene is sinking in quick sand, then I did something wrong and have to go back for the millionth time.”

I blurted all this out in agonizing detail, then I looked at him “Does that make sense?” I don’t know. At this point I’m always feeling lost and unsure. Wondering if I’m in over my head and doubting even my ability to breathe without a cheat sheet.

I was expecting him to say, “You’re making this too hard or too complicated.” He’s told me that before.

But no. Instead he leans over and says, “Yep. You have to get this right or the rest won’t work.”

I swear, it was like a massive stone was lifted off my chest. Now let’s hope Wizard is right. Because you know, this is the same man who thinks vegetables are going to make him fat :-)

So this weekend, I’m going shopping with a friend. Her daughter is getting married next year and we’re looking for the perfect mother of the bride dress. Plus we’ll have lunch. It’ll be fun!

What are you doing this weekend?

10 comments to “Happy Friday & Writer’s Block”

  1. Viki S.
    November 14th, 2014 at 3:35 am · Link

    Once again I have to not laugh out loud while reading your post since the rest of the family is sleeping :).

    Wizard is so funny on the veggie thing. Guess he really doesn’t care too much for them. You two are so in sync, so good. It’s great that he gets it and is so supportive. Now to get Linc and Risa in line.

    I hope you have a really fun shopping trip this weekend.

    I think we’ll be shoveling snow. It looks like 3 or 4 inches on the deck right now. At least all the outside work minus the electrical is done. They finished up yesterday as the snow began to fall. Next week inside repairs and two weeks later the replacement windows should arrive.

    Have a great weekend and buy yourself something cute :).



  2. B.E. Sanderson
    November 14th, 2014 at 5:46 am · Link

    Wow, Linc and Risa have some serious issues to sort out there. Not sure how they’ll come back from that, but you’ll figure it out. You got Sloane and Kat through their stuff, and you can do this, too. And Wizard is wise.

    As for writer’s block, yep. I have to just power through when the squirms happen. I get to that point where I’m all like ‘ugh, I hate this’ and then I get over it, and keep writing. If it sucks, I’ll fix it in edits. Otherwise, I get in this edit cataract where everything circles the drain.

    This weekend will be trying to stay warm, mixed with writing, with a sprinkle of medicating Max and a scosh of leaf raking. Between, I’ll read some stuff.



  3. Kat
    November 14th, 2014 at 7:57 am · Link

    Point out to wizard that a lot of dogs including French Bulldogs do eat veggies and that if you had one he could just give his veggies to the dog at the table. Or not eat them and tell you he was saving them for the dog after dinner.

    Yes I think you need a dog to help you get through the writer block.

    During the past few months I have had to take some sleeping pills to help me get the sleep I need to deal with all the stress still around with hubs health issues. But since the weather has gotten colder at night my cat is sleeping on top of me each night and I no longer need the pills to sleep. Animals are amazing. I will email you a picture of my Lucky cat. This weekend I will be getting some extra kitty treats for her.



  4. Ashlynn Pearce
    November 14th, 2014 at 9:11 am · Link

    Ahaha! That’s awesome. I love Wizard. His sense of humor runs right along with my Hubster. Veggies make you fat….pfffft! Mine like to believe that his body rejects vegetables, like allergic to them. o.O right.

    I know you always say you have trouble with your stories but you always pull it out. You’re a gem like that. And they always rock…but yeah, after you pull your hair out. :)

    Yesterday, I was rocking along on my story, sooo close to being done…when it hit me I totally forgot a major scene. UGHS! I’ll have to go back and weave it in….somehow.



  5. Silver James
    November 14th, 2014 at 10:50 am · Link

    OMG! I want this book! I hope you get the scene figured out. Naw…I take that back. I KNOW you will get the scene figured out!

    I’m with Wiz on that whole veggie thing. They are EVIL!

    I’m thinking about submitting a workshop proposal to RWA on techniques to overcome writer’s block but don’t have a catchy title. :lol: And, I have it. Bad. Tomorrow, at the halfway mark of NaNo, I’ll be 10K words behind schedule. Crazy, I know. I’ll get there but man, this current book is dragging it’s heels, kicking and screaming like a two-year-old in Toys-R-Us.

    Have a great weekend, witches! And Jen? You got this. Promise! :D



  6. Jennifer Lyon (Apodaca)
    November 14th, 2014 at 1:45 pm · Link

    Viki, it sounds like you are finally making progress. Hope the replacement windows are perfect when the arrive.

    Shoveling snow doesn’t sound fun :-( but I bet it’s pretty.

    Wizard will eat salad, zucchini, corn–the usual guy veggies.

    I’ll buy something if I find it, but I’m happy to help my friend find the perfect dress for her daughter’s wedding.

    Have a good weekend!



  7. Jennifer Lyon (Apodaca)
    November 14th, 2014 at 1:48 pm · Link

    B.e., they do have serious issues, but I think I know the answer. That spot is obviously my hot zone of problems, so I’m going back to work on that today. (Although my entire morning was eating by errands)

    Powering through is the best way! I get tangled up way too easier even after 20 books.

    Glad Max is doing okay. He’s a tough kitty! Stay warm and hope you get some writing done!



  8. Jennifer Lyon (Apodaca)
    November 14th, 2014 at 1:53 pm · Link

    Kat, your kitty deserves extra treats! I’m sorry about the insomnia, it’s so frustrating.

    LOL on dogs liking veggies. Bailey doesn’t, he’s a total meat guy like Wizard. Although Bailey loves graham crackers, low fat string cheese and peanut butter (Not all at once, of course). But I’ll try to tell Wizard a french bulldog will eat his veggies :-)

    Have a great weekend!



  9. Jennifer Lyon (Apodaca)
    November 14th, 2014 at 1:56 pm · Link

    Ashlynn, LOL on being allergic to vegetables! That’s a good one too.

    You can find a way to weave in your scene, but that’s not a fun feeling when you realize you’ve forgotten it.

    I know I struggle. I suspect if FEELS like more than other writers, like I’m not as good/fast/efficient/talented, but probably every other writers feels the same thing. We all want our books to be the best we can make them.

    Good luck with your scene!



  10. Jennifer Lyon (Apodaca)
    November 14th, 2014 at 2:00 pm · Link

    Silver, thank you for believing! I’m trying :-)

    You don’t like vegetables?? I love them although I can’t eat them as much as I like anymore.

    Funny you mention RWA Workshops. I haven’t submitted mine. I don’t have a great title either, and I haven’t put it together in the format they want. But you should definitely do it!

    I’d rather deal with a difficult book than a screaming 2 year old at Toys R Us. Good luck, I know you’ll get the book moving!



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