There have been complaints. Why has Molly not written any columns for two weeks? What is going on? Tell her to stop loafing around and get writing!
It isn’t that easy for me, because I have been blogging for twenty years. I have written about absolutely everything. So I often come up dry. I thought I would discuss my process, so that all of you might understand.
If my husband or I haven’t done anything noteworthy, that stymies me. So then I cast around in my head for past events, things I did as a mother that weren’t like what other moms did, why I hate certain foods, what I can say about my husband that makes him sound both ridiculous yet charming, or what I made for dinner that tasted awful. If none of that works, then I head to my news feed.
People do stupid things, like putting frogs in their pockets. But I have written about that, so I look for “interesting news.” But I haven’t found any headlines that make fodder for my writing lately.
I sit with my laptop, staring at the walls, waiting for something to come to me. For the past two weeks, nothing has floated to the surface, and I find myself thinking about what I could buy on Amazon, should I get one more geranium for the balcony, what on earth I can make for supper when it’s my turn to cook, or if I can skip my exercises today. But column ideas? Nada.
Books. I read so many books that I sometimes wonder, for instance, where “Amy” is–she hasn’t been mentioned for three chapters. Then I realize that Amy was the main character in the last book that I read, and I transitioned into this book too fast. But when in doubt about what to put in my column, I post book lists, which is what I am going to do now. The “Amy” book wasn’t that great, so it won’t be on the list.
Here goes:
- The Winter Soldier and The Piano Tuner, both by Daniel Mason. This man is a doctor and a writer, and he is a genius. The Piano Tuner is one of my favorite books, ever.
- New People, by Danzy Senna. Anything she writes is wonderful.
- Best Offer Wins, by Marisa Kashino. Oh, my God. Obsession.
- Class Reunion, by Rona Jaffe. A friend recommended her as an author, and I thought she was just like Danielle Steel. I was wrong. All Jaffe’s books are remarkable.
- Hazel Says No, by Jessica Berger Gross. Thank God Hazel said no.
- Run for the Hills, by Kevin Wilson. This book has personal meaning for me, but everybody will love it.
- Cassandra at the Wedding, by Dorothy Baker. This one had me rooting for the title character, until I didn’t.
- Leaving Lucy Pear, by Anna Solomon. This one had me marveling at how the author even came up with this plot line.
- The Round House, by Louise Erdrich. How have I lived so long without reading this?
- Heartwood, by Amity Gage. This is why I hate hiking.
Maybe I will come up with something for a sparkling column soon. Maybe there is a person out there who puts toads in their pockets…
