I am having a difficult time writing lately. I guess I have said that before. How embarrassing to keep repeating myself. I KNOW the usual advice is Just Write. Sorry, friends, but sometimes that advice just does not work for me.

I usually have the plan to write on my break and lunch at work. In pursuit of that end, I did not put a book or any puzzles in my bag. I am especially fond of anacrostics and cryptogtams; I had to discipline myself to do this blog post before picking one up before making this blog post. All I had to amuse myself on break was a notebook. I would have to write!

As it happened, I could not even write a letter (by my rules for me, any writing counts). I tried. I slogged out a few paragraphs. It sucked. After staring I to space for a few minutes, during which time my brain could not settle on a thought, I turned a page in my notebook and wrote the following:

OK, I am trying to write and very few words are forthcoming. I think I will not put my puzzle book in my bag so I will HAVE to write, but apparently that trick does not work. And it is all very well to say, “Just make yourself do it.” I can’t make words magically appear in my head and then come out my pen. It is very discouraging, and quite the waste of time.

So I guess this is my whiny Tired Tuesday Post about not being able to write a blog post. I think I will make a new plan to first find something to write about. Maybe I could come up with a list. In the meantime, maybe a nice cryptogram puzzle.