Writer's Aversion

While taking a creative writing class during winter semester, I read Anne Lamott's opinion on writer's block in her book, Bird by Bird.  Her theory was that writer's don't really get blocked.  She felt the term "blocked" sounded like constipation, like you are filled up with something that you can't get out.  She believed instead that writers get emptied out, worn out from pouring themselves constantly into the things that they write.  We get what I shall call writer's void, an emptiness inside ourselves from which there is nothing to give.  Her solution was to step away from that which you pour yourself into and recharge.  Go on a walk, take a vacation, experience life so that you are filled again and have something to give to your work.

I think I had this "writer's void" about a month ago, maybe two.  I have since spent a great deal of time away from my computer, having fun experiences, going on several vacations, and filling myself back up.  Unfortunately, I spent a little too much time away from my writing.  I no longer have writer's void, nor do I have writer's block, I have writer's aversion.  I am so behind on experiences that need to be written about that I don't want to sit down and write.

Unfortunately, I need to write an essay for a scholarship application.  In attempting to do so, I've discovered just how rusty and reluctant I am to write.  So here I am instead, partly using my blog to get the writing juices flowing again and in more part because I'm avoiding getting back to my scholarship essay.