what is and what should never be

There is definitely a reason for my lack of creative output as of late. I can't concentrate for shit. My current employment situation actually facilitates a writing-heavy schedule. I've toyed with the idea of setting a daily itinerary for myself, like Stephen King. I've never tried it, and I've had my fair share issues with writer's block, so...

Recently it's been easy to write from a personal perspective. My pen is overflowing. But fiction-wise, I can't even settle on a plot overview - the smallest of blips is wrong, the cadence is off or it's just plain idiotic. Something that goes along with that inability to find a groove is a bruised ego - and hurt pride often results in quitters never winning. Or something like that.

Fiction is scary. For a prideful person, I've been shockingly willing to admit when I'm scared of something lately. And fiction is something that has always spooked me - I'm sure I'm not the only fan of putting pen to page who gets so immersed that I fail to recognize when I've fucked up. And speaking from experience, one of the worst feelings in the world is to spend several months constructing something that needs to be completely disassembled, or at least retooled. It's frightening. Nightmares are actually had. Plus, I'm out of practice. My efforts are awkward and noisy.

While I'm untangling my web of doubt, I think I'll make note of some things which make me nauseous these days. Either I've been there too much, or we've all been taken there too much.
The following is a list of things which I have forbidden (no trespassing, violators will be shot) from making an appearance in my future works:

1. low-top Chucks
2. typewriters
3. libraries
4. The Smiths
5. owls
6. photography
7. vampires
8. love triangles
9. politics
10. freckles