The schnauzer puppy (from my very first posting) ate today’s post. Who hasn’t tried some variant of this age-old excuse? In print it dates back to at least 1964, when a Connecticut newspaper reported on a train passenger who said to the conductor, “I’m sorry, my dog ate my ticket.” The conductor replied, “Then I suggest you buy him a second helping.”
Sam Morrison 101 Excuses Not to Write
In the short time I’ve been blogging I’ve seen many posts that begin with, “Gee, I haven’t posted in weeks, months, or years…” followed by an unimaginative excuse.
As writers, I think our excuses, at least, should be more creative. Today, as my service to you, I want to help you set aside these common reasons for some more creative ones.
My computer went down/crashed – If you live in a third world country, other than Nigeria, I might buy this one. If your friend owns a computer or a modern library is nearby, you can do better. At least tell me your flash-drive fell down a mine shaft.
More creative: While doing research, I stumbled upon classified government information. I can’t name the country. They blocked my internet access using face recognition software. No matter where I logged in from a skull with crossbones appeared on the screen…
I had the flu/or a rash – Some people are writing blogs about their life-threatening diseases (over 1,500 of them).
There are people who type and play piano with their feet – and at least one who can fly a plane this way.
More Creative: I had a rare disease. I visited specialists in three countries. Then I traveled to the rain forest to gather ingredients for the cure…
My muse left/I’m experiencing writer’s block – All creative people get stuck. But this isn’t an excuse not to try. The longer you go without writing, the harder it will be to start again. Books, websites, programs, and writing groups are available to help. Try this (Story Sparklers) or try a better excuse.
More Creative: After months of waking up with the keyboard imprint on my forehead I discovered that aliens were taking me to their ship to do experiments on my brain…
Sam Morrison 101 Excuses Not to Write
My life got busy – When we are busy we continue in the tasks that are important to us. We eat. We sleep. We work. Is writing on your important list? In another post, Prime Time Writing, I discuss finding time to write.
More Creative: I was about to post when everything went black…Wiping sweat from my forehead, I opened my eyes. I was chained to a steel chair at a widget-making factory…
I’m too distracted – It has been said, difficulties are what we see when we take our eyes off the goal. Distractions come when we don’t confront our difficulties. If we deal with our difficulties, the distractions become minor.
More Creative: I was bitten by an experimental spider and now I see eight of everything. It was impossible for me to blog until an optometrist invented Octo-spectacles for me…
Speaking of sight – was I helping you envision better excuses for not writing or encouraging you to get past them? I forget. I guess you’ll see what you’re looking for.
Inspired by Sam Morrison at 101 Excuses Not to Write Blog
Comments on: "Not Writing? Get a Better Excuse Here" (12)
Hi, thanks for LIKING my website! I love this post and look forward to exploring more of your site….And feel free to add that to the list of excuses. It is SO ODD that we make excuses not to be doing what we say we love. I don’t get it at all. I do it….but I don’t get it!
Susie
Susie, I know what you mean. I don’t get it either. I’m glad you liked my silliness in delving into the subject.
“My dog ate my blog post.”
A-a-a-a-a-nd you just made my day.
Thanks, that makes mine. Funny thing is…I don’t have a dog.
Oh my. Well, I haven’t had aliens doing experiments on my brain (well, I don’t THINK so, anyway) but I’ve probably used every other excuse in the book. Here’s a true one: I absolutely had to get three stars on Angry Birds Season # 3. . . . .
Hilarious. Motivating. Keep writing.
Great you caught all three points. Thanks for the feedback.
Peter – This is simply hilarious. Enjoyed the post so much, I laughed out loud. These excuses truly show the creativity of their inventors — now if they would put that energy into writing, they’d have a best seller!
It makes me smile to know it made you laugh.
Reblogged this on The Ranting Papizilla and commented:
Some of you need to work on your excuses….. I won’t name any names though……
Thank you!
Haha! I just started a post tonight with a “getting back into the groove” theme! I’m taking note of some of your suggested excuses. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! I read your post too.