A few days ago, feeling unsure about myself and about the future of Yeah, Another Blogger, I grabbed my phone and called an individual who, I figured, might be able to help me put things in perspective. Help me find my way, if you will. Not that he’d ever been all too beneficial in those regards before. But, desperate as I was, I gave it a shot.
“What’s up, Neil?” asked my editor Edgar Reewright, picking up after the first ring. “Please don’t tell me there are major problems with the next manuscript you’re going to send me. Hell, what am I talking about? There always are major problems with your manuscripts.”
“Edgar, give me a break. And stop complaining. Yes, there is a major problem. But not with an upcoming story. That’s because there is no upcoming story. Edgar, I’ve just about run out of gas. I can barely think of anything to write about. And when I do come up with an idea, it seems pretty much the same as things I’ve written about dozens of times before. I don’t want to publish any crap, so I might as well take off my spikes and leave the playing field.”
There was silence on the other end. But not for long. “I can’t believe my ears, Neil,” Edgar said. “What is wrong with you? From day one, you’ve been churning out crap like a champ for Yeah, Another Blogger. I mean, crap is your middle name. Okay, you’re in a slump. But you’ll break out of it. All you need to do is look to Joyce Carol Oates for inspiration. She’s 87 years old, the same age as me, by the way, and still writing books like there’s no tomorrow. She’s penned so many books, everybody has lost count, but it’s way, way over 100. Her latest one, a novel, hit the marketplace in June. And it’s 672 pages long!”
“Yeah, Edgar, she’s incredible. And a genius. She never runs out of ideas.”
“That’s what I’m saying, Neil. Story ideas by the untold thousands are bobbing in the air, just waiting to be snatched. Sure, Joyce is at the top of the ladder, writing-talent-wise, while you’re a bottom dweller. But you shouldn’t feel like you’re stuck in cement. Suck it up, Neil, and get back to work. And maybe, just maybe, your perseverance will garner you an award one day. Everyone wants recognition, am I right?”
“That goes without saying, Edgar. But that’s already happened to me. Don’t you remember? Two years ago I received a Pulitzer Prize in the If You’re Bored Out Of Your Mind, Reading This Person’s Writings Won’t Snap You Out Of It category. That was one of the most memorable occasions of my life.”
“My bad, Neil! How could I have forgotten? See? You’ve already sort of made it, and other awards possibly await you. But only if you stay in the game. Neil, throwing in the towel after all these years would be a big mistake, one you’d eventually regret. What’s more, you need to think about me. And about my wife Loretta. We depend on the enormous salary you pay me. Because of you, we’ve been able to live the highlife. I’ve never asked you this, Neil, but how did you come into so much dough?”
“Well, Edgar, I’m now going to allude to something that only my wife knows about. If you recall an unsolved armored-truck heist 35 years ago in Philadelphia — it was a major story — I believe you’ll be able to put two and two together.”
“That was you? Man, you are something else! Needless to say, my lips are sealed.”
“They better be, you dig? Anyway, I’m glad we’ve talked today. I feel re-energized. I’m ready to start writing. Once I come up with a decent story idea, that is. Thanks for your help, Edgar. I really appreciate it. Over and out for now!”
Yeah, Another Blogger 
Hi Neil!
You made writer’s block into a wonderful adventure and had me giggling all the way through. Keep up the great writing!
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Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.
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Ha, ha, loved this read. Edgar sounds like a gem! 😉
A bank heist is an intriguing story, and I’m sure you can write a witty account.
Seriously, though, you may just need a quick holiday to get the creative juices flowing again.
I find it difficult, time-wise, to post every week. Although it’s not because I run out of steam, but because I never sit in one place long enough to have nothing to write about – travel is in my DNA. 😉
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You have a good version of DNA!
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At least you made Edgar’s day. He’d probably been having editorial writer’s block himself and just not coming clean about it.
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I think you might be right.
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So if crap if your middle name, is it Yeah, Crap, Another Blogger, or Yeah, Another Crap Blogger?
Just curious… 🙂
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I’ll get back to you about that.
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Hurrah! Edgar Rewrite does it again!
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He’s got what it takes. Sometimes.
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Great twist at the end :-). Lovely post!
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I appreciate it. Thanks a lot.
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I love your posts – you’re a great / entertaining blogger and writer.
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You’re making me blush!
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Writing about writer’s block is the epitome of a brilliant blog post. Well done. Now, carry on, my friend.
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Hi, and thanks for the thumbs-up. I appreciate it.
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As I’ve mentioned before, Edgar is a beaut!! But take his advice, and don’t stop writing. Some of my best stuff comes from recycled ideas!
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Hi. For the next two or three weeks, various commitments will allow me very little time for writing. But I hope to publish a story in the second half of October.
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Stick with it, Neil! I’m sure writers have always felt they’ve run out of steam since classical days. Or even since one cave dweller said to another, ‘Do you really think this wall needs another antelope?’
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On a related note, here’s something that sometimes happens: Certain book writers continue to write well into their advanced years, but the lengths of their later books are much shorter than before. This was true, for example, for Philip Roth and Saul Bellow.
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Please take Edgar’s advice, and don’t stop writing because I always look forward to your posts. When I was in college, we used to do this exercise that I don’t remember the name of but you set a 2-3 minute timer and you start writing. It didn’t have to make sense; you just write everything that’s in your head. Random words, ideas, thoughts, everything. You weren’t allowed to take the pen off the paper, and you had to keep moving. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Hi Aiva. That sounds like a good exercise. It probably would generate a variety of story ideas. Have a good rest of the week!
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It’s okay to take a break if you feel you need it, or do not feel inspired, but don’t quit altogether! I haven’t written anything in over a month, I think of topics but am too lazy to write them out…..I’m too busy watching baseball!
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I’ve been watching baseball too this year. I live near Philadelphia and am a Phillies fan. I saw a bit of tonight’s game. The Phillies hit eight home runs, and four of the homers were in the seventh inning!
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Wow, that must have been exciting! I’m Canadian so the Toronto Blue Jays are my team. They were doing well until the past couple of weeks….this happens every year – they seem to fall apart under pressure…..still I watch and hope.
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Fabulous story. Loved the ending.
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Thanks a lot.
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What an enjoyable story. Do love that chap Edgar. He is an ‘inspiration’ if there ever was one.
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When Edgar speaks, I pay attention!
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Hi Neil, nice to be back visiting you here again. It took awhile for me to get my act together and realize WordPress people are more intelligent and interesting than those I interact with in-person. I also can identify with not wanting to publish “crap.” On my last site, I kinda felt after a while I needed to keep up with those cranking out daily content, but while it really doesn’t take me long to put together a post, I want them all to meet my standards. I have since determined I won’t let myself feel hurried to post, and at the same time I have lowered the very high bar I operated under previously. Again, nice to be here!
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Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, it’s amazing how many people post one thing or another daily. Some folks add stuff to the internet multiple times each day. Me, I’d be totally exhausted quickly if I tried to publish anywhere near that often.
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Fun! And congrats on the Pulitzer. 🙂
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I’m very proud.
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Sounds like you have a good working relationship with Edgar. All the more reason to listen to his advice and keep writing so that you can continue working together! Sometimes it takes being low on gas to figure things out. Inspiration will come, typically when you’re not looking for it!
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Edgar’s the man!
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I have been struggling with the same thing, but you have inspired me. I resolve to hold up an armored car and blog about it!
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I approve!
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I’m sure it can be quite difficult to come up with new ideas to write about! But I hope you keep finding them.
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Onward!
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I love your Edgar Reewright stories, but I understand burn out in writing too. It’s hard sometimes especially when there’s so much stress with this administration. I have to get away from the news sometimes so I can clear my mind.
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Here’s my view on things: Trump totally eats it. He’s a fascist and a white supremacist. And the people who support him are, in effect, just as bad as him.
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Yep. best wishes to my American friends tomorrow. Let there be millions… 📎
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Thumbs-up to that!
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👏🏻. I heard 7 millions yesterday. 👏🏻
(When’s the next one?) 😉
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“You dig?” Haha. I dig. 🙂
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Morning. I just went to google to look up where “dig” expressions came from. The consensus is that they started in African American culture in the 1930s.
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Huh. Learned something new today. I wouldn’t have guessed it was that old!! Wow! Thanks! 🙂
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Haha — you couldn’t stop if you wanted to, Neil! It’s in your blood! oxo
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I can’t disagree!
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I made the mistake of renewing my WordPress plan for two years and now I can’t think of anything to write about. Maybe if I had only renewed for one year…
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Fun and Funny. I teach my creative writing students that there is NO such thing as writer’s block. Just. Start. Writing. with no theme or subject in mind. Miraculously, something magical appears on the page. Like your armored truck heist. 🙂 Keep on writing!!!
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Hi. I plan to. But there’s a good chance I’ll be writing/publishing fewer pieces than before.
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I wonder why. I used to be once a week, then changed to every other week. The last half of year I’ve been more erratic than that, but I must admit, I’m happier when I connect with everyone here, including blogging my own posts, every other week.
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Reading your post made me smile…..It’s a gem.
Velva
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Hi Velva, and thanks. I appreciate that.
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So much of what’s out there these days is dark and dreary, but I can always count on your posts to brighten my outlook. Each are celebrations, not crap–keep sharing!!
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Many thanks!
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Writers feed on pep. Such a nourishing share Neil. 📚
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Howdy AOC, and thanks. Take care.
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Hope that you’re having a loving weekend Neil. Peace!
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Hi Neil! I think the secret to happy writing is not to push it if you don’t have to! A break is always good, you will get back to it feeling more refreshed and creative! Very amusing share! With best wishes, Sharon
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Hi. I agree with what you say. Right now I’m taking it easy. I hope to publish a new piece pretty soon. Take care.
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I look forward to it! 😊
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For what it’s worth, I enjoy your writing much more than JCO’s. The last thing I read by her was Blond. And I do mean the last.
I’m relatively new to the writing world. It’s been a solitary endeavor and I have to believe that most people undertaking this craft have serious doubts about the worthiness of their output. But then, I suspect you know far more about such things than I.
On a different note, I’ve taken two photos in recent days of art painted on trucks. Wanted to send them to you but not sure how to do so.
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Hi. I’d like to see those photos. I’ll send my email address to you.
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Sent.
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Laughing all the way through this! Of course you have more ideas! (And it’s not crap!)
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The ideas are arriving very slowly. I’m in a slump.
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I couldn’t tell. I just took a well-needed break from blogging and feel energized now. Hang in there.
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I’m not dealing with writer’s block, Neil, more like “writer’s blah.” It sounds like you might be in the same sort of place. At least you have Reewright to count on to give you a shot in the arm and get the ideas flowing, hopefully. Thanks for the laughs, you’re good at that!
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Yup, I think I have the blahs. I came up with a story idea today, one that seems ok to me. I’ll try to turn it into a story!
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That sounds great. We’re having three sunny days before the rain really sets in, so it’s last-minute outdoor chores for me. Happy Writing.
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I feel like I know Edgar in real life. 🙂
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I’ll let him know about that. He will be pleased!
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I love this approach to writer’s block. Very clever!
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Hi. I appreciate it. Thanks very much.
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I’m glad you managed to unblock!
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Hi. I have my editor to thank for that.
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That was good. Thanks for the laugh…
Best wishes to America tomorrow…
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Trump is a horror. He’s awful.
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He’s a nightmare. I’m writing a short series on dictators. For obvious reasons… I can’t help comparing every time…
📎📎📎
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hahaha ; love the humor in this and yes, Joyce Carol Oates is a shining beacon for us all; you need,’t worry, Neil: you never run out of steam 🙂
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Hi there. JCO has a novel titled Marya — I like it a lot.
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okay; will check it out 🙂
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I loved this, Neil. We share a similar sense of humor and imagination. Except, I struggle to write even my mediocre posts!!
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Howdy. Writing is not only a pretty difficult process, it’s also a pretty mysterious process.
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You are such a fabulous writer. Seriously. I love the way your words just flow, and how once one starts reading a piece, it is difficult to stop till one reaches the last line. Keep writing. 🙂
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It’s really good of you to say that. Thanks very much.
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Hi Neil,
Edgar is very interesting. He is always on time. He just may be your guardian angel, editing and reconstructing your life.✍️
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Edgar is invaluable! Or is he?
Hi. I don’t know who this is. You’re listed as Anonymous.
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I love it and I can relate. I sometimes think about how long I will want to keep blogging. And in a similar way feel I’ve photographed everything there is for me to blog about! My enthusiasm has waned in the past year or so but I’m not ready to call it quits just yet … and I’m glad you aren’t either! 🙂
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Yeah, I guess it’s natural to start running out of gas and/or enthusiasm. But it’s good when those feelings go away and we get more or less back to normal.
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There’s always a story to tell . . .
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True.
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