The Writer's Curse

Eyes glued to words on a screen, Fingers tapping out an unconscious rhythm on keys, Cold coffee in a mug one sip less than full; The writer. Characters carefully developed and refined, Settings that serve their purpose with flavor, Ideas of adventures begging to be penned; The story. Pause in the clacking that continues on, Disbelief that a single detail cannot come to mind, Frustration maddening enough to split stone; The writer’s dilemma. Headache from the intense searching of the brain, Questions of why me?, then what if?, Aha! cried out joyfully as the clacking resumes; The writer’s revelation. Repetition of “dilemma” and “revelation” several times, Pages numbering more than sheep can count, Months of bedtime starting at five a.m.; The rough draft. Pen that scribbles notes in red ink across the page, Frowns, growls, and snorts of annoyance, Suggestions from others that never end; The editing. Glance over last minute details that is satisfied, Paper in quantity enough to bury a room, Title that beams from the first page; The final draft. Editors that take much too long to read, Letter containing the long-awaited news, Smell of fresh ink inside a hard cover; The book. Thoughts and day dreams on the haunt, Adventures that could become a plot, Sighs of exasperation but also of content; The writer’s curse (begun again).