Searching for Hummy

Our resident hummingbird, or "Hummy" as we've named him, hasn't made an appearance yet. I've had two feeders out for over a month. I've changed the water mixture at least four times. Where is he? We keep watch. Staring out our windows. At times, we thought we'd had a Hummy sighting.

"Was that him? Something just zipped by the window," said my husband.

 I watched for a minute and saw the impostor. "Nope, just an angry dragon fly."

Two days ago, I went out and bought a red geranium to replace to purple one, hoping to further entice our no-show friend. I also invested in a brand new hummingbird feeder. What does this bird want, food served on a tiny silver platter the size of a nickel?

That's what happens with my writing sometimes. I do everything right. I work on my story when I have a couple of hours. I work on it when I only have a few minutes. I change my scenery, like maybe taking a walk, hoping that will stir up something in my imagination. But sometimes, that's not enough. Oh, I can still write, but it may not be the heart-stirring, funny-bone tickling, sigh-provoking words I'm looking for.

Maybe it's just like looking for Hummy. We can do all the work, all the right things, and yet, nothing happens when we want it to. As far as hummingbirds and writing inspiration go, sometimes, all we can do is...wait.

Breaking News!

I had a writing breakthrough last night! Yes, the Colts were playing, and yes, they won. But I had a writing breakthrough last night! To all of the football fans, I'm sure this is hard to understand. Unless you're also a writer. I've been trying to figure out how to resolve a problem between my two main characters. Last night while typing away, it hit me. Not literally, I  mean, that would sting. But you know what I mean...the epiphany hit me, square in the noggin.

I was so excited, I blocked out the football game my husband was watching. And that's really something when you consider, the flat screen TV is mounted right above my computer, two feet above my head. There's nothing quite like reaching the writing pinnacle in a story where you know you're almost there. So close to being done. I'm thinking the football fans/writers will get what I mean.

Now I have to finish up the final small details on this romance novel before I begin the next one that's slapping me in the noggin. Ah...life is good!

There's a Cat on My Lap and I Can't Get Him Off!

Maxwell and Roxy are my writing partners. More often than not, one of them is sitting on my lap as I type away. If I'm stumped for words, petting Roxy's soft black fur often gives me inspiration. An irritating writer's block can be soothed by Maxwell's enormous purr. And when I get a writing epiphany? Since they're literally within arm's reach, they're the first ones I share my amazing idea with.

So yes, there is a cat on my lap, and I can't get him off. But the truth is, I don't want to!

Who's your writing partner?