Yes, Peter, I do. I think the best thing for you to do is write a
scene about the Plague. That way, since you were avoiding writing
scenes like the Plague and, then, once you've written a scene
about
the Plague, maybe, in some cosmically-balancing way, you'll neutralize
yourself and be ready to write those scenes that you've been avoiding
writing. (Unless the scenes are about the Plague because, in that
case, you might have already written them.)
Or you could try a different approach.
I do know what you mean about coming up to scenes that you're not
exactly overjoyed about taking on. It can definitely slow the pace
of your progress. Or even your progress, itself. So what to
do? You could emotionally explore the deepest depths of your
resistance to the particular scenes in order to discover what's holding
you back, thereby possibly experiencing an overpowering awakening (or, if
you're in a biblical mood, "epiphany") that will change your
life in such a profound way that your personality will be more integrated
and you'll be a changed and renewed human being, even more prepared to
take on life's challenges. Or not. (One problem with the
aforementioned approach is that you may never stop crying and, besides
having a huge Kleenex bill, you might be evicted from your place by your
landlord or chased out of your house by a mob of torch-bearing neighbors
who have lost patience for listening to "The Grieving Guy.")
So, we're back to looking for another, possibly more expeditious,
"what to do." Try this one out. You may not like it
and it may rub up against that part of you that thinks everything should
be easy and fun and feel like you're in Candy Land 24/7, but how about...
writing the scene, anyway? I'll give you a second or two to get off
the floor and come back to your monitor. Now, I'm not taking the
Gestapo approach (not that that wasn't an effective one in terms of
creating some very negative results), but, rather, I'm advocating that you
do what I call (I just coined the phrase this instant. An instant
coinage There's another instant coinage: an instant coinage of
"instant coinage."... I almost forgot what I was saying because
I was so busy instantly coining phrases... Oh, yeah:)
"Working-through writing." Working-through writing. What
does that mean? I don't have the foggiest; I just coin the
phrases. Actually, I jest. "Working-through writing"
is when you sort of plunge into the ocean without knowing what the sea
bottom is like. Or maybe it's more like wading in. You can
decide your entrance level. But enter you do. The essence of
this creative writing technique is that you're discovering as you
go. ("Discover as you go." I coined another
one!) Here's the concept in a nutshell ("Concept in a
nutshell." I'm amazing.):
It's resistance that's holding you back, Jack (I mean
"Peter.) Part of you doesn't want to forge ahead and write the
scene; another part thinks it should. Ergo: opposition.
Actually, it's opposition that's holding you back. You're pitting
your energy against your energy instead of channeling it collectively into
writing the scene. (If this is getting too deep or esoteric for you,
I apologize. No, I don't; I love this stuff. Next week I'll be
covering "sticking pins in dolls that are lifelike images of your
agent." You don't want to miss that one.) So, if you're
willing to accept my premise (and I'm not talking about the kind for a
screenplay. Not that it wouldn't make a good one: "Two
energies collide, causing major havoc with a screenwriter and his
career." Title: "Colliding Concepts!"
Coming to a theatre near you. They'll flock to it! Roper and
Ebert will disagree about it and their concepts about it will
collide!), then you're going to want to "unstick" those tangled
energy vortexes ("tangled energy vortexes"! God, I am
good.) and, instead of fighting yourself (which is a difficult contest to
win, being that both "you's" are evenly matched -- so I wouldn't
put a lot down for a bet on either one), instead, move beyond that tangled
web you weave ("tangled web you weave!" I did it
again! I'm a genius. I'm -- no, wait. That one's been
covered. Never mind. I think I'll give coining a rest for a
while.) and simply "move into" the scene like a tourist visiting
a foreign country (I tried not to mix my metaphors because, if I had, then
you'd be a drowning tourist visiting the ocean. And who would feel
like writing if that were happening to one's self?). Release all
expectations. Of course, you'll have a general idea of how
you want the scene to go, its destination point. You'll also
probably have an idea of what you want the tone to be like. That's
fine and necessary (Usually. Never count out your Muse. Your
creative subconscious often knows much more than your creative
consciousness and can truly amaze you when you learn how to let it
"play."), but try to be willing to let the train take you
there. (Now, again, I'm trying not to mix metaphors because, if I
did, you'd be a tourist drowning on a train, visiting the ocean.
Another not extremely amenable scenario for writing.).
But I hope you catch my drift here. (Let me go back to the
beginning and read it so that I do. Done. Now I don't
know what I'm talking about. Yes, I do, too. Trains, oceans,
writing, Muse, tangled energy vortexes, the Plague, Kleenex, resistance,
metaphors, subconscious, opposition. It's as clear as the nose on my
face. (Actually, if you look at your nose, it's really quite
blurry.)
Somebody really ought to coin a new phrase for that one.