The Words Escape Me

by Camela Thompson

There have been few times in my life when I find myself at a loss for words. 

I suppose that's not true. My luck is strange and I have witnessed many spectacular things that have left me with my mouth hanging open, soundless. Coworkers joke that venturing with me to lunch is a gamble. The day the woman sitting next to me agreed to go to the store and witnessed a homeless man flinging fecal matter from side to side, sprinkling all of aisle five, I was banned from lunch outings. The ban was lifted when strange things continued to happen without my presence. It turns out that downtown Seattle has its risks.

Happily, this bout of vocabulary fatigue is just that -- fatigue.

This last week has been busy. I am pleased that Blood, Spirit, and Bone - book two of The Hunted - has passed its first round of edits. The manuscript has been sent back to my editor. We continue to march towards a publication date that will be announced shortly (hint: it's soon!). Working full time and writing leaves little in the way of free time. Deadlines stress me out, and I have signed up for several side projects. I find myself staring a blank screen hoping for inspiration. Praying for a topic. Wishing for words.

Is it really writer's block if you haven't even started?

Maybe it's time to set aside one or two nights. I wouldn't mind watching a movie or staring at the television for a few hours. Annie would welcome the break. She has taken to rushing to sit on my lap so I can't ignore her in favor of typing.

What do you do to get over writer's block?