I’m in a writing slump. By slump I mean I don’t want to do it.

Instead, I wander around Target. I look up recipes on Pinterest.  I work on perfecting my tweets. I drive to Starbucks for coffee. I check Facebook. I read email. I contemplate getting a job.

But there is this annoying little voice in my head saying,  “Get your ass back in your office. Sit down in that chair and write.”

So I sit here staring at the computer wondering what in the hell made me want to write in the first place.  The longer I sit in the chair the more obvious it becomes that the urge to write isn’t a desire as much as it’s a need.  Words on the page bring me back to life.

It reminds of a story I once heard about a crotchety old man who could barely walk. He body was stiff and contorted.  It was difficult to rise from his bed. He needed assistance getting dressed, but eventually he’d make his way to his piano.  As he sat hunched over on the bench, he’d struggle to move his arthritic fingers across the keyboard. But each note seemed to ease the pain. His movement became more fluid. He’d sit up straighter on the bench. When he was done playing, he’d stand up and walk away, effortlessly.

I can’t remember the context of the story, or if it was even true. The important thing is the lesson in it.  The man in the story healed himself by doing what he loved. Writing isn’t a choice.  It’s part of who we are as writers. And so even if our bodies and minds resist, we must face the page anew everyday.

I happened on this website, http://greatday.com, that  offered excellent advice for how to get out of a slump. Today’s post said this:

Rewarding action

When you don’t feel like making the effort, that’s when making the effort will make the biggest difference for you. Instead of giving in to negative momentum, interrupt it.

The best way to feel like doing it, is to do it. Step beyond your negative feelings and reward yourself with some positive action.

Feeling sorry for yourself will just give you more reasons to feel sorry for yourself. Ignore the temptation for self pity and embrace the opportunities for immediate self improvement.

Your attitude is not somebody else’s fault. Your attitude is yours to choose, so choose an attitude that will empower and propel you.

The way to feel better is to do better. The way to do better is with positive, effective action.

Pay attention to your feelings, but don’t use them as excuses. Be effective, get it done, and see how great you feel.

— Ralph Marston

So I sit in my chair, and write again.