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But I've got something that's stopping me putting thoughts into cyberspace. That's a more hi-tech way of saying "pen to paper" as I don't write much except shopping lists in longhand these days because my handwriting is so bad I could be a Doctor.

It's not Writer's Block, or Literary Constipation I suffer from, it's a reluctance to come up with a finished product. Which is really weird as I want to get my work finished and off on the publishers' rounds. It's the same for writing reviews for this site - anything to avoid actually sitting down and getting something written. The bizarre thing is I can write. I can waffle on for hours about any subject you care blogging here or on the forums. I'm not short of ideas either, as I'm always planning my novels or doing odd bits of editing. I just can't dedicate myself to my writing.

I consider myself first and foremost a writer. This site (and DVDReviewer) has published me, so I don't consider myself a failed writer. I've written hundreds of reviews, a shedload of columns and more contributions to threads on the forums than I care to think of, but my first love is writing fiction. Comedy fiction, tending to the fantastic. I've been writing that kind of stuff for nearly thirty years, learning my craft, writing and rewriting, submitting here and there to publishers in the early days. But since I've been a carer, I've had other things on my mind and the writing's slipped in my daily priorities. It's getting on for eight years since I last completed a draft of one of my books, and that's not something to be proud of for someone who wants to make a living from the product of his imagination.

One way or another, this year I'm going to get my act together. I feel very positive about my plans, although I now have so many story ideas I need to prioritise the best. And if I can sort out my novel writing, maybe I can get back into the world of reviewing.

Posted by Mark Oates