So James Lipton and I were hanging out at Burger King the other day, splitting a Whopper Jr. and a jamocha shake we snuck in from Arby’s. Jimbo has been hounding me for months to answer the questions on his ridiculous Proust-esque questionnaire, so I finally acquiesced to his wishes and gave it a shot. What follows are my mostly truthful and uncensored responses. Please direct all complaints and grievances to management.
What is your favorite word? My toddler would swear it’s “no” and “stop.” Based on my blog, it’s “ridiculous.” To be honest, I use that word entirely too much. It’s ridiculous how much I use the word ridiculous. I also like variations like redonkulous and Rickdiculous. Oh, and re-damn-diculous for special occasions. Considering my previous profession, I should probably find a more impressive word to label “favorite.” Or at least choose something that’s super fun to say, like “fiduciary” or “homogenized.” What about “bifurcate”? That sounds a little dirty.
What is your least favorite word? “So?” (but only with the question mark)
What turns you on, creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Rawness. Music that is raw. Art that is raw. People who are raw, who will rip out what is inside and display it for the world to see, especially in an attempt to promote solidarity or understanding.
What turns you off, creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Celebrated ignorance. It makes me want to strap a bomb to myself. Or to someone else.
What sound or noise do you love? My child or my husband laughing. If they’re both laughing at the same time, there’s a chance I may explode from sheer happiness (which is much preferred over exploding due to having a bomb strapped to me).
What sound or noise do you hate? In my past life, it was the sickening sound of the copy machine malfunctioning. It was usually either THUMP or squeeeeeaaal followed by the three beeps of death followed by groans and not-quite-under-their-breath cursing from the teachers behind me. These days, I’ll go with any loud noise during my child’s nap time.
What is your favorite curse word? I’ll give you a hint: I didn’t learn it from watching basic cable.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Prop mistress. Or professional napper.
What profession would you not like to do? Storm chaser. [Favorite curse word] a bunch of that. I’ll be in my hidey hole if you need me.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “I won’t hold that against you.”
So James Lipton and I were hanging out at Burger King the other day, splitting a Whopper Jr. and a jamocha shake we snuck in from Arby’s. Jimbo has been hounding me for months to answer the questions on his ridiculous Proust-esque questionnaire, so I finally acquiesced to his wishes and gave it a shot. What follows are my mostly truthful and uncensored responses. Please direct all complaints and grievances to management. 
I’ve been struggling to write—to start writing, to finish writing, to post what I do write. At the risk of sounding smug, this is a personal hazard of being happy. I’ve said for years that writing is my best therapy (and it’s cheaper). At least 90% of anything substantial I’ve ever produced was a result of some sort of tumult in my life. I hurt, so I write. I rage, so I write. I’m lost, so I write. Right now, though, I’m in a good place, and it doesn’t feel temporary as it has so many times in the past. I don’t feel like this peace and contentment is a fluke or something precariously hanging in the balance, dependant on a set of carefully constructed circumstances. It feels real, tangible. The downside, of course, is that my writing is suffering. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my life right now for the ability to write the best-selling book of all time. I do miss writing, though. It’s frustrating to sit and stare at the screen, the cursor blinking, taunting me. When I do finally manage to slap a few paragraphs on the page, I can’t finish. I either find myself overwhelmed, unable to organize my thoughts into anything coherent, or I hit a mental wall and give up altogether. The two or three times lately that I’ve finished something, I’ve lacked the courage—or maybe the conviction?—to post it for others to read. 
So here is where I stand as far as writing: do I set it aside and only return to it as a crutch when life does get difficult or do I somehow find a way to channel these feelings into words? 
But on the other hand, I don't know if I can write just for the sake of writing. I have to feel it. Anything significant or meaningful that I’ve ever produced—anything I’ve composed that spoke to even one person—poured out of me. Writing is liberating for me, my sidewalk back to sanity. It’s how I deal with darkness and doubt. Whether I am raging or drowning, writing saves me. It’s a way of talking to myself without feeling like I’m losing touch with reality I am thankful that I have the ability to write when I need to write, when it is crucial for me to stay grounded through words. But why, when I am at peace, is the rope on my creative bucket too short to reach the water in the writing well? Why, when I so desperately want to write, am I unable to do so? The emotions I’m feeling right now—the joy and fulfillment and serenity—are just as powerful as what I’ve felt in darker days. I’ve longed to experience these emotions, to feel this alive. My heart feels like it’s going to explode sometimes. Why can’t I channel this into my writing? 
I’ve always written selfishly, drawing from whatever is going on in my life in an effort to get through it. It’s never my intention to produce something that speaks to someone else, though I feel blessed when another person connects with my words. Maybe my writing needs another purpose, one that isn’t so damned self-centered. Maybe I have something to say, something to share. 
