Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Sheep with Trumpets


TRUMPET BLARE

Writer: Was that a trumpet blare?

Sheep #1: We've been practicing.

Sheep #2: For moments just like this.

Sheep #3: We think we're gifted.

Sheep #1: We think we might have a new career.

Writer: As trumpet players?

Sheep #1: You've got to dream big.

Writer: (shakes head) Wait. Why were you blaring a trumpet?

Sheep #2: It got your attention, didn't it?

Writer: Yes.

Sheep #3: We've been trying to get your attention for days. We resorted to desperate measures.

Writer: (sighing) What do you want?

Sheep #1: It's time for you to get going again.

Sheep #2: Pick yourself up and dust yourself off.

Sheep #3: As the old song goes.

Writer: I'm fine. Really.

Sheep #1: No, you're not. You can't fool us. We're the sheep.

Sheep #2: You haven't been writing. You've been fiddling.

Sheep #3: Look! Another musical reference.

Sheep#1: Wow. We're good.

Writer: I've haven't been fiddling; I've been polishing.

Sheep #1: No. You're afraid to take the next step.

Sheep #2: It's time.

Sheep #3: It's past time, actually.

Writer: I know.

Sheep #1: Do you?

Sheep #2: (louder) Do you?

Sheep #3: I'll blare the trumpet again.

Writer: Please don't.

Sheep #1: You've spent all this time on your book.

Sheep #2: You've worked on your characters, your plot, your setting...

Sheep #3: You've done your historical research...

Sheep #1: Good grief, you've even looked up the weather.

Sheep #2: Talk about thorough.

Sheep #3: But now, it's time.

Sheep #1: Accept not everything is going to go the way you want. Accept there will be disappointments and set backs.

Sheep #2: The unknown is scary. You're putting yourself out there.

Sheep #3: Think of it as the mother of all auditions.

Writer: But I hated auditioning.

Sheep #1: Ironic, isn't it?

Sheep #2: Listen to us.

Sheep #3: It's time.

Sheep #1: Think of this not as a wake-up blare, but as an announcement of battle.

TRUMPET BLARE

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Special thanks to all of you who took the time to leave a comment yesterday. I felt as if I'd gotten a large, virtual hug. I'm very grateful.


17 comments:

  1. Elspeth - Those sheep are very wise. They're right about this, you know. Just do it!

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  2. Carol; You're one of them, aren't you? I KNEW it!

    Karen; I shall take your advice.

    Margot; Growl. It's way easier to moan. I'm good at moaning. I'm thinking of turning it into a performance art piece. In mime.

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  3. "Writer: I've haven't been fiddling; I've been polishing."

    Wonderful (they really hit me there).

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  4. Love your sheep, Elspeth. They seem to really know how to analyze a writer. LOL And they are right, there comes a time when the polishing is finished, honest.

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  5. I'm glad to hear the sheep are pointing you back to the road.

    Venomous critique sucks.
    Take care of yourself

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  6. Love your sheep *heart*. They seem like your alter ego. Listen to what they have to say.

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  7. Oh, gawd...not the sheep! Start writing...quickly!

    *hugs* :)

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  8. Where oh where can I get a herd of my own?

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  9. *eerie music in background* "Elspeth, listen to your sheep."

    Enough polishing already-- It's time to conquer!

    Mary

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  10. Mush on!

    It'll be okay...believe me, we can't make this stuff perfect--we can only do our best and tell a good story.

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  11. I don’t know where you found such wise sheep, but once again they are offering great advice. It sounds like you better do as they say in order to stop their trumpeting!)

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  12. Perfection is for the sheep...er, birds.

    I'm sorry I didn't make it by to cheer you yesterday, but today I say, to hell with 'em. Keep it up, Elspeth.

    Michele
    Writers Jailed today on SouthernCityMysteries

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  13. I love your sheep pep-talk! Very apt. I feel a little like I'm fiddling, too. It is much easier to keep track of progress with writing than editing. Just spinning my wheels. So I will try to listen to your wise musical sheep.

    (Good luck with getting going!)

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  14. Leave it to the sheep to point the way. And they try to look all innocent while in reality they're always up to something.

    Stephen Tremp

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  15. I love this image! Sheep blaring trumpets - perfect.

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