Unblocking – Starting points that just might go somewhere!!

I’ve left behind the screwdriver, hammer and pliers, made it to sunny Spain and the first morning Fergus and I lay together watching raindrops racing down the caravan window.  His reaction being only 6 months old was one of fascination, mine one of frustration ......

Or ......:

The sun was warm, but there was a tinge of the Pyrenean snowfields in the gentle breeze that blew off the blazing snow, that sparkled in the spring sunshine ......

Or ......:

After a few days of Spanish sunshine, the writer’s block is possibly beginning to ease a little, unblocking - we’ll wait and see!  I have been recently reading a series of articles from the participants in last year’s Hay Festival, interspersed with a series of “Rules for Writing” by well known authors who also appeared at said Festival.  From one it suggested finding the best time for you to write and then slavishly sticking with it.  Indeed, I have often thought that I should perhaps try getting up as the sun rises, having a light breakfast of coffee, fruit juice and some healthy muesli topped with yoghurt or fresh fruit, walking the dog and then religiously starting to slave over my computer keyboard or convenient notepad and pen (I use both, and am indeed copying / editing this from some scribbled notes after dinner and a shared bottle of not too convincing Rioja [ * see later on and you’ll understand!], being as we are at the moment in the caravan in sunny Northern Spain.  Although as dinner is now finished the warm sun has dipped behind the hills and a cool evening ensued – well it is still only the first week in March!), for several hours before a light late lunch, if the creative urge hasn’t got the better of me and it’s already teatime!

But, there’s always a thousand and one other things to do, as my wife keeps reminding me, so the better option for me was the late at night, drunk, well after a glass or two of something stronger than water!  However, interestingly, I’m writing this after a “dry” late lunch, but undoubtedly a glass or two might be involved in the conclusion!! [*] 

Then, I read the 11 Rules of Writing by Elif Shafak (did I say well known writers?), who although refuting the existence of writer’s block (Rule 10) and suggesting if you run out of inspiration you “go to Istanbul, spend a few days in the chaos of the city; observing, listening feeding the seagulls, feeling shrunken and expanded all at once.”  Had some better advice afterwards, although for now the sunny Costa Brava will have to suffice, but a trip to Marrakesh is looming on the horizon, so hopefully inspiration a plenty!

But her, and certainly my favourite of all the rules, last one (No, 11), which although slightly negating the wonderful idea of feeding seagulls, as well as hopefully yourself, in sensuously chaotic Istanbul states: “11.  Finally, ignore every single one of my rules (to which I would add and everyone else’s).  There are no rules for writing.  That’s the beauty of it.  That’s the freedom we should not allow anyone to take from us.”  To which I would say “Hallelujah,” as I’m currently also reading Ben Elton’s “Blind Faith.”  If you’ve not read it it’s a must, like all his others – they flow thick and fast like his comedy routines, with hardly a moment to take breathe!!

And ......:

Before I know it there is perhaps the next “Creative Urge blogpost” written and ready to put to bed, without even leaving the starting point, well as Elif’s Rule 11 says; “There are no rules for writing!!!”

And ......:

Maybe, the Rioja wasn’t too bad after all!!