A Writer Writes About Having Writer's Block

Hello AC'ers. Several among us have written recently about having writer's block, and several have inquired to me because they feel I am some sort of pro writer. This is not true. I indeed did used to work for The Saginaw News, but people called it "The Saginaw Snews!" I always say, "I'm not really a writer, I'm a reporter." There is a difference. A writer is creative and explores the depths, while a reporter is more prone to interview a subject and then organize the information. To me, writing is far more of a challenge than reporting, or than issuing an opinion. I wish I could write more creatively but usually, in realizing shortcomings, I don't try. It's like you're at an open-mic jam session and a really lousy sax player takes a turn; doesn't that guy (or gal) realize he/she just can't cut it like the others?

Nonetheless, there is a song I happened upon back in the 1970s because my buddy played it a lot. It is called "Muse Blues" by Loudon Wainwright III. It is more like a folk song with Loudon on acoustic guitar, which goes against my usual preference of jazz -- no lyrics -- because generally I perceive that words should be words and music should be music. That's why when I read, I don't listen to music, and when I listen to jazz music, I don't read. Still, some of Loudon's words may loosen up those who face the empty page or the blank screen, myself included.

The Blues associated with the Muse, of course, is that Loudon is musing but he can't seem to think of anything. But then he writes some verse about not being able to think of anything, which is an ironic oxymoron, because if he really couldn't think of anything then he wouldn't have been able to think of a song on the topic of not being able to think of anything. (If you need to read this paragraph twice, we understand!)

I have taken out parts where Loudon speaks of using drugs to try to find his Muse; although this is just satire, there is no purpose in offending anyone on AC who has been so nice to me. If you wish for the version that includes the portions about drugs, just send me a msg and I'll ship it right over.