While I was going about my day, I had an inkling of a potential subplot for the Cliche story arc. That story arc would be inspired by a darker part of my writing life, the part I’ve alluded to in poems and more explicitly in the sound art track on my poetry EP.
To respect the privacy of everyone involved, I’ve hesitated to speak about the time someone tried to control my creativity. I was resistant, but it was at a low point in my personal life, and knowing that, the person tried to use that vulnerability against me. In fact, anything creative they saw me doing, they tried to take over and then rub it in my face, make me feel guilty that I wasn’t creating for them.
No thanks to that person, I couldn’t really write for a long time. And I’m wary to this day of collaborative writing projects, especially co-writing projects. I’m able to do them now, but a) I worry (without basis) it’ll be like this one; and b) what if I become like that person – lazy, controlling, expecting my partner to do all the work while all I do is criticize and get my name on the cover.
Thank G-d, my bout of writer’s block finally cleared when I started roleplaying on Young Writers Society. Thanks to the lovely people there, my zeal for writing returned, little by little. I’ve got one completed manuscript that I’m super proud of, and I’m currently 75% done with another.
In my notes for the Cliche sequel, the entire subplot idea is covered in question marks. Until now, Cliche has just been poking some good-natured fun at the stuff writers do. I feel like crafting this particular subplot into the story would be pulling from a dark, shadowy source that might taint it.
But there’s a reason it feels so dark. The thing is, I’ve only just come to the point that I can express my feelings about that time in verse. I don’t think I’m ready to turn that experience into self-deprecating humor. The time for that will come eventually, when I can look on that time and actually chuckle at it. But not yet.
