I’ve been working on an acrostic poem. It’s 24 letters long. I was doing splendidly until I came to the second “P”. I came to such a grinding halt that I could almost hear the gears squealing in my brain. And at that letter P is where I stopped. For weeks now I have not written a single thing. Complete and utter writer’s block. After weeks of preparing for the Writer-in-Residence application through the Boston Public Library and upon reaching that utterly annoying second “P”, my writing ability has “poofed” away. I’m lost. I’m struggling. I take sentences and rearrange them. Sometimes I just sit there staring at a blank page.

Well, I was watching “Cake Boss” last night. Buddy (the Cake Boss, for those who aren’t familiar with the show) had to make a vow renewal cake for himself. He was completely lost. He struggled. He put styrofoam cakes this way and that way. Took it apart over and over. Sometimes he just sat there, staring. Much the same as I’ve been doing lately. This happens to everyone, even the best at what they do (ie Buddy). Watching him last night I could totally understand the dejection and frustration on his face. I’m sure it’s been the same look on mine lately anytime Ipick up a pen or sit at the computer, fingers lingering over the keys, typing nothing.

How did he break out of it? He just sat down and said, “I’ve just got to get started and do something.” It’s really as basic as all that. I’m going to get started and do something! Which today is this blog post. And tomorrow I am tackling that second “P”. Now, if I could just have some pastries from Carlos Bakery it might be just a bit easier!