The Process

My roommates and I went to the waterfront a few hours ago, and we only just got back. It was beautiful-- the weather was that perfect late spring night (I mean, it felt like it was late spring, even though it's totally not. But, I mean, really it's better because there aren't any bugs out!) The lake was totally still, so that you could see the reflections of the boats, buoys, logs, and everything else on the water. So, I started to get a little inspired, which was awesome since I've been going through a bit of a writer's block lately. I just don't know where to go with my ideas, and when I do I don't know how to write them down. I've been kind of doubting my writing ability lately. That's probably not helping.

Anyway, though, as I was walking along the water front, I saw everything, felt, breathed everything. And I wanted to write it all down, so that I wouldn't forget it all as I'm so often apt to do. Of course, I hadn't thought to bring any of my journals with me. I just had to try to absorb everything I could, and remember it. Luckily only about ten minutes later, they wanted to go to The Hilton to use the bathroom. I went to the front desk and asked if I could nab a piece of paper and a pen (I still have the pen) and started madly scribbling down everything I could think of. Here it is, in its full (okay, not actually full. This is only about the first half), unedited, awful glory:

"pale grey wood on water

still black

limbs of wood crossing, up down, a jungle of limbs

echo

plane going by, still light in the sky

echos of life footsteps

immobilized swings

crisp

fingers burn with cold (metal railings)

log floating, plank of wood floating, tree floating

sounds of maybe voices

black gaps under rocks-- someone could live there

no bugs

street lights

sarcasticish, wonderish teenage girl-- alone?

fantasizing about what could be, wondering what is, afraid of footsteps

pregnancy? prolly not.

dirt on knees of jeans and hands

cars passing

telescope with smiles

barren secret garden behind buildings

heart gasping through your throat"

So, yeah, I'm planing on writing a story from that. Hopefully it'll be up by Monday? I mean, assuming it works out and everything.