Five Percent Solution

Most writers have told me that they occasionally suffer from this condition, but that it eventually passes. In the past I have used a strategy that sometimes works. Namely, writing something else—which is what I am doing right now. REQUIEM EXPIATED is one hundred percent outlined and blocked out, and ninety-five percent written. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to actually write the three or four (or maybe five) minor scenes that remain. They should be easy: a couple of suspect interviews by Deputy Monroe (dialogue is my strong suit), each followed by sexual dalliances (my favorite subject) with her family of one man and two women. But like Jimmy Buffet’s bear, I’m hung up, and can’t do the deed that should come naturally.

This phenomenon is especially annoying because it occurs with every story and novel I’ve written, in any genre. Eventually I will overcome it, but until then, I will find excuses to do other, more pressing activities (after all, the illustrations are still a work in progress): such as cleaning the bathroom, exercising, maybe having a dalliance of my own, going to the supermarket, or watching college football on television.

At some point, my foot will strike a trip wire (maybe after a third highball) and the words will flow, but not yet. Until I find the five percent solution, I’m stalled.