Hey there! Madi here! :D Since new people have followed (you guys are awesome! ❤️), I thought it was time for another Blast from the Past™ post! Blast from the Past™ posts are kind of like other posts you see such as “Throwback Thursday” (but mine won’t have a set schedule). That way, even new followers can see some of my favorite posts from way-back-when (if you don’t feel like browsing through the archives XD)!
Welcome to the second Blast from the Past™ post – I’ll be reposting one of my very favorites, Chronicles of Chloe – The Dreaded Writers’ Block! :D
If you’ve already read that post, no problem – there’s something for everyone to participate at the end!
Speaking of which, do you remember my first Blast from the Past™ post I did? I asked you to share one of your favorite memories with your dolls and that I’d pick a random one to feature in the next Blast from the Past™ (those trademark signs are getting annoying XD)! That random one belongs to…
Natalie!
Natalie shared,
“How cool, Madi! Reminds me of a time I played dolls with one of MY friends….(I.E. the dolls overthrew the president and saved the world from the evil supervillains and then became evil themselves except they were mermaids and the ORIGINAL villain had to save them, but she still had laser vision and….well, you get it! ?”
That actually sounds like something I’d play with my friends, too… ? ;)
Thank you SO much to everyone who commented on the first BFTP (much easier, no trademark sign XD) post and shared one of their favorite memories they’ve had playing with their dolls! It was really fun to read what you guys did. :D
And now, without further ado…
Statistics:
- Published January 16, 2016 at 4:34 PM
- 33 comments
- 1,162 words
- 11 photos
Hello, lovely blog readers of the world! It is I, your beloved Chloe Zoey Carter. At first, today wasn’t the most creative-idea-producing day, but I think it turned out alright. Let me tell you what happened.
I had been staring at the sentence I had written two days ago for what seemed like hours. What next? I asked myself again and again. And again, and again, and again. But my usually creative mind was as blank as a vast, empty stretch of sandy desert.
With nothing but sand. And wind.
And blankness.
Having stared at the blinking cursor in my writing document on the computer for so long, my head started to hurt and my eyes were beginning to blur.
I pulled off my glasses and wiped them on the inside of my shirt for a moment to give my eyes a quick break. After putting them back on, I was almost afraid to face the relentless, never-ending, blinking cursor.
I forced myself to look at the computer again, but by now, my pretty screensaver was playing. It was picture after picture of exotic, colorful, beautiful butterflies. It made me feel a little brighter, but I still couldn’t figure out what in green tomatoes with slurpy smurf chopsticks and hot sauce… Oh! My brain is turning to mush, I’ve been staring at the screen for so long – to write next.
“Hey, Chloe-Zoey!” Cécile walked in, using my playful nickname. Her cheeks were rosy and a little flushed, as if she had been outside. She looked cheery and happy to be alive. “How’s the story coming along? Which one is it – you have so many, I just can’t remember them all!” She laughed, and in spite of my frustrated mood, I smiled at her high spirits.
“I’m working on ‘Recaptured,” I responded. “It’s another orphanage story. I love writing those, because I can make them so dramatic and suspenseful. But, actually, it’s not going so well at all. I can’t figure out what to write next!”
“Have you tried working on a different story?” Cécé asked as she untied her sun bonnet.
“That’s just it,” I mourned moanfully. Moanfully mourned. Moaned mournfully! I shook my head to snap myself out of a lazy, tired daze. Why hadn’t I agreed to nap with the others?
“That’s just it,” I continued. “I was working on ‘Endangered,’ and then I got stuck. So I went on to writing ‘Sapphire the Sprite,’ but whaddya know, I got stuck on that one too! I wanted to write some more of ‘The Case of the Long Lost Twin,’ but I just didn’t feel the motivation for that, either. And now I’m stick as a stuck deep in the mad for this one.” I blurt out in sorry-for-myself sentences. “I mean stack as a sick stuck in the mid. I mean stuck as a stick deep in the… oh, what do I mean? I’m not making any sense!”
Boy, was I a sorry sight to behold or what?
I let out a long, dramatized, over-emotional, quiet pitiful, heartbreaking sigh. “My writing career is ruined, Cécile! Just ruined!” My glasses fell back on my forehead.
I leaned back in my swivel chair, gasping and pretending to faint into the arms of the nearest available variety.
“Oh, Chloe,” Cécile laughed at me. “You’re so dramatic.”
I sat up, stuck my annoying glasses on my head, and gave her a playful grin. (If you can’t tell, I hate the fact that I have to wear glasses, and stick them on my head as much as possible if I’m not reading and writing.) “But seriously, what am I going to do?”
“I hate to break it to ya,” Cécile told me, “But you’ve got yourself a right nasty case of writers’ block.”
What? Writers’ block? The dreaded, awful, brain-mushing WRITERS’ BLOCK?!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
“I’M DOOMED!” I sobbed, throwing my arms up in the air. “Doomed! Just doomed! Done, finished, finito! Oh, Cécile, the grief I feel is strictly unimaginable! Oh, woe is me, woe is me! I shall forever live the rest of my life crammed in a tiny hole dug in the ground. I shall dig it as if I’m digging my own grave! I will be in there, crying my eyeballs out until I die of dehydration! I’m doomed. Doomed, I tell you, DOOOMED!“
I had more in my mind to say, and you have to admit, it was an amazing, awfully depressing speech of pure doom. But Cécile calmly held up her hand to stop me, so I shut my mouth and began to lower my arms, which had been dramatically going along with everything I said. Grasping my heart, running desperately through my hair, gently placing the back of my hand against my forehead in a fainting position, things like that.
“Chloe, calm down. Writers’ block doesn’t last forever. Why don’t you take a break? Your eyes could most certainly use it. Eat a snack and have some fun. You could read a book, watch a TV show, or doodle. Get some inspiration, and that clears away writers’ block faster than you can say ‘bye-bye!’ You could even come back to your writing tomorrow, and could be inspired by a dream you have at night.” Explained Cécile patiently and kindly.
I gasped. “Cécile, you solved my problem!” Cried a very happy Chloe, clapping. “Thank you ever so much! Maybe I’ll eat my favorite popcorn with white cheddar powder on top, with a glass of milk and read a book or two. Maybe after that I’ll play outside and dream up adventures. Or listen to music while I swing and make an epic silent movie in my head! Oh, I can get inspiration from so many places after all. Thank you so much!”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I continued, nearly flying out of my chair and throwing my arms around Cécile gratefully. “You have saved my entire writing career, and I am forever indebted to you!”
Cécile laughed again, accepting my hug. “Glad I could help, Chloe; Glad I could help.”
Thus, I felt better and more energized after taking a quick nap (had a hilarious dream of being a cat and throwing up hairballs, but I won’t explain that in detail, ’cause it might be too nasty and gross to put on a blog) and having a snack.
I played outside with Coconut and then came inside and painted a pretty flower. Ellie said I have the makings of a true artist, and then I gasped. “True! That’s it. Mariella the orphan decides to stay true to her poor mother and stay at the orphanage and not run away! True! That’s it, Ellie. Thanks!”
Ellie, who had no idea what I was talking about, just shrugged and said slowly “You’re welcome?”
And that cleared away my icky writers’ block!
Do you like to write stories? What’s your favorite story you’ve ever written, or favorite book you’ve ever read?
Love,
I hope you enjoyed! That’s one of my favorite posts ever. It was really funny to write, and Chloe’s dramatic personality cracks me up. XD Actually, she kind of gets it from me… Which probably isn’t a good thing… XD
And now I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Do you have anything you’re writing? Have you ever experienced writers’ block? I, admittedly, am experiencing it right now with my WIP novel, Loyalty, Book I. I had no idea what I was doing when I first began writing it and didn’t plot out the entire thing beforehand… so now I’m desperately trying to fit in stuff in the chapter I’m writing now, chapter 24, that can foreshadow events in book 2 while providing enough words to make it to chapter 25, my last chapter. I still have no idea what I’m doing. :P
Comment below and share with the world what you’re writing/what you’ve written, or if you’re not a writer, your favorite book you’ve ever read! :D
In the next Blast from the Past™, I’ll randomly pick one of your comments and put it up here for all to see! :D
Love,
It would be funny if this comment was picked, because then it would just be awkward for everyone. It’s like breaking the fourth wall, but with a blog post.
???
I can totally relate! Even though Writer’s Block is a bit of an illusion, it’s definitely real! :D
I’m looking forward to editing my NaNo Novel, These Stranger Tides, and writing a short short with a (clean) romance story. :D I’m reading Kellyn Roth’s novella right now and I like it a lot so far! :D
Ooh, that sounds SO cool! So does Kellyn’s novella! Which one is it? And do you plan on publishing These Stranger Tides?
Thank you! :D It’s The Lady of the Vineyard. :) I’d really like to get TST published, but I’m just not sure whether to go for traditional or indie publishing. What do you think?
You’re welcome! Ooh, that looks so neat! Hm, I don’t know. I haven’t decided on how I’m going to get Loyalty published, either. I might do self publishing, but I’m not entirely sure. I think whichever one your want to do the most, I dunno. ??
Thanks! I think so too. :)
Yeah, I agree. :D
???
We’re looking forward to seeing which lucky comment gets picked next time! It would be so cool if our random comment won!
Hehe! Thanks for commenting! ?
?
I’ve already read this photostory before, but I still love it!!!!! I can totally relate with Chloe. That happens to me all. The. Time! Right now I’m working on this story about two girls named Zariah and Cassidy who are best friends and are also secretly wizards/witches (I’m not sure which term to use, lol). They broke the wizarding (witcharding?) law before, when they were younger, and now they’re fourteen, and they’ve been secretly practicing magic again. They’re discovered by officials, and they decide to run away together. After that, there’s hilarity, some light romance, and even terrible treachery. ? I’m on Chapter 9 right now, and I’m a bit stuck. Anyone know of any torture techniques? The only ones I know wouldn’t fit very well. Thanks! Great post, Madi-I’m totally jealous of Chloe’s hair!!!!!
•Izzy•
sewsweetdollies.wordpress.com
Aw, I am so glad you like it! Ooh, your story sounds AMAZING! Hey, I know a few torture techniques! I thought of putting some not-too-violent ones in my novel but then I changed the plot (go figure XD) So I’ll share with you some. Hope they give you some ideas! Thanks again, Izzy! Chloe says thank you! :D
You’re welcome! I am SO glad you can use that! Wow, those sound like really painful torture techniques. ? You’re so welcome! Good luck with your story – it will be amazing, I’m sure!
Oh my… I’m just like Chloe! At last count I have.. 25 WIPs! Yeah… maybe I should fix that! :P
Anyway, I experience writers’ block a lot because for an insanely organized person, I never plot out my stories beforehand! :P
Love the post! :)
LOL! :P :P
Oh goodness, same here! I really should get better at plotting things out before I start writing… LOL!
Thank you so much!
Hey, I just wanted to say that I REALLY like your blog! I have a fun time reading it!
Thank you SO much, Hailey! That means so much to me – I’m so glad you like my blog!
I am currently trying to finish prewriting The rest of Joy’s Journal, https://dolltasticallyfun.com/2016/11/22/joys-second-journal/ but I have writers block. Ugh!
I think this is really cool Madi. Chloe is so dramatic.
Aw man, writers’ block stinks! Good luck with Joy’s Journal, Lexie!
Thank you so much! Hehehe, she is. ?
I love this post, since it is the first I read on this blog. :) Wanna go chat on AGH?
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you like it! Sure thing!
I’m writing a novel called The jewels of the hood, and it’s about this kingdom in governmental disparity, and the two princesses, Gail and Moon, both want peace and new government, but they find they have very different ideas of how the government should be, and one runs away to pursue her idea.
Wow! That sounds AMAZING! Wishing you the best of luck with it!
About a year ago I wrote a funny book about a gecko and a dog!
Hehehe! That sounds great! My first book was about a coyote and a skunk who were enemies… Animals stories are so funny to write! ?
This was so interesting, I love Chloe! She so fun, and her hair is to DIE FOR!!! :P Ahh!! I really loved this post!
I am currently writing a story for my column in “The King’s Princess” , it doesn’t have a title yet, but it’s about a girl named Lydia and her family who are called to be missionaries to Singapore to spread God’s Word to the people there, and how they meet a family along the way with the same convictions, and how they volunteer at a orphanage in Singapore and all the things that happen, it’s really fun to write!
I have had writers block, it’s annoying! But, with the Lord’s help, I overcome it! Whenever I feel stuck, I ask the Lord for inspiration (and sometimes take a break like Chloe ;) ) . I love to write! :D
Thank you SO much, Livy! And hehe, Chloe says thanks! Styling her hair is SO. MUCH. FUN. :D
That sounds AMAZING! How many chapters do you have so far?
That is a fabulous solution for writers’ block – praying about it! Haha! I’ve never thought about that! Same here! :D
Um, I’m writing it in “short stories” each issue, continuing the story, and I’m currently writing part 7. I’ve been writing it for 7 months now! Time sure does fly…. ;( LOL!
Yes, it works really well! Would you like to read some of my story? :)
Oooh! That is so awesome! And I would LOVE to read your story, I bet it’s amazing! :D
i love it:)
Aw, thanks so much! :D
Hey dolllover03!! Your if my class ain’t you!? :P
Sorry in my class :P
You have been nominated to do the 2016/2017 tag!
https://luckythedollsarecrazy.wordpress.com/2017/01/20/20162017-tag/
-Lucky
Thank you SO much! I’ll try to do it as soon as I can!
Oh, writer’s block…….gotta hate it. Excellent woeful, moanful, mournful speech, Chloe! When I saw this post and I saw my comment had been shared, I was like GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!! I AM THE LUCKIEST PERSON ON EARTH!! MY COMMENT WAS SHARED OH WONDROUS DAY!!!………………okay, that was weird…….but that was what I was thinking!!
Ugh, indeed! :P Hehe, Chloe says thank you! ?
LOLOL! ???
Madi, you said in your signature on AGH that if you ever needed to chat, to send a PM. I wanted to send it after you got on. This isn’t fun, happy chatting. This is serious.
Absolutely! That’s exactly what I said that for, in case anyone needed Godly advice or needed to have a deep talk. I replied to your PMs! :)
Ah, writer’s block. i actually had it the other day with the book i’m writing. but then, inspiration struck! i wrote down an entire page, and i was very happy with what i had wrote. but then, the computer decided that it didn’t like what i had written, so it didn’t save it. ? i think I’ve finally re-written all that i lost, (or maybe a little more. ?) and i think i like this version much better. ? the book i’m writing is called The Secret Princess. does it sound interesting? :)
~Gracie~♥☺
Writers block is so frustrating! Aw man, that stinks that your writing wasn’t saved! :/ But I’m so glad that what you rewrote was even better! The Secret Princess sounds AMAZING. I wish you luck in writing it! And that you don’t have any more writers block! ;)
Ha! That was hilarious! I also have a #56 (her name is Shirley). She’s pretty dramatic, but Chloe just might have her beat!
Hahaha, thank you so much! LOLOL! :D
Oh boy, do I ever know how Chloe feels!! :P I know exactly how you feel right now too! I am currently finishing the last book in the YA trilogy that I’ve been writing, and I’ll tell ya, I have had times of severe writer’s block for months on end! It is like a pit of doom, just as Chloe says so dramatically! Haha! Luckily I have an amazing support team who helps me unblock my writing blocks, or just let’s me wallow in my poor sad state for days and days. LOL!
The best advice I can give a writer who is experiencing writer’s block is to keep it simple. I always find that if I have a block of massive proportions it’s because I’m making things too complicated. Just ask yourself this question: What is the simplest solution? If that doesn’t work, do other simple things. Drink a coffee, go for a walk, eat an ice cream cone. Clearing your head is the best remedy! :) Good luck with all of your writing projects!! :)
ginne / http://www.fakingitmostly.com
I saw about that on the sidebar of your blog! 200k is an incredible word count – I’m lucky if I can get my novel to 115k when I finish it, haha! Good luck finishing your book – it sounds amazing!! And that advice is so true! What happens if you simplify a part of a book because it’s too complicated but then don’t end up with the word count you want? Thank you so much! Good luck with yours!! :D
115K is a mighty respectable word count! :) The only reason I put up 200K on my site was because the other two books in the series are of similar length, and it wouldn’t allow me a word count bar without a goal. LOL! Also, usually when I simplify, it ends up helping me to write more. I usually uncover understandings that lead me to more interesting writing in the end. In that way, simplifying doesn’t necessarily limit word count. Instead, it can lead your story in new directions, and give you even more to write about. :) I know, because I just did this the other day. All I did was simplify my problem, and bam! Everything falls into place, and a whole new world opens up. Either way, the main point is that the readers are happier when you keep it simple. I wish you so much luck in all of your writing!
ginnie / http://www.fakingitmostly.com
Thank you so much! I finally finished my novel at 122k words and have begun the editing process. Do you have any tips that work for you regarding editing an entire book? And LOL! Ooh, that makes so much sense! I will definitely have to try simplifying things and see how it works! It sounds awesome! And thank you so very much! You, too!!
Hi, Madison.
I have about 3 or 4 comments that all say they are awaiting moderation, and they’ve been like that for a few days. Why haven’t they been moderated yet? I’m just wondering if there’s a problem and for some reason you aren’t seeing them.
~Gracie~♥☺
Hi Gracie! I am SO sorry I haven’t approved them yet – I’ve actually been waiting until I can check out your channel so I can reply to your comment about it. I can only check YouTube out with an adult, and my parents have been very busy. I’m going to check it out just as soon as I can! I am so sorry for the wait and I apologize I haven’t replied to your comments yet! :( I’ll just go ahead and approve and reply to your comments and will check out your channel just as soon as my parents can sit down and look at it with me!
Oh wow, several interesting things about this post (even though I’m a bit late to the party…)
1) This post was published on my birthday! Happy birthday, ME!
2) This is exactly how I feel with my story I’m writing right now! I am trying to decide if I should switch to first person or not. My story is a dog story with a epic ballad vibe, so I don’t know whether first person will make it cheesier and more touchy-feely. This is an ACTION story! And I suppose it might also be fantasy, because I did make up islands and civilizations and dogs can talk…but not weird fantasy. :)
3) Did you seriously trademark BFTP?
Ooh, really?! Happy birthday! I hope you had an AMAZING day, Tess! ???
I feel you! First person (past tense) is my favorite way to write, personally – it’s really fun and you can really feel what the main character is feeling. I hope you find the perfect way to write for your book! Wishing you the best of luck, Tess!
About trademarking BFTP, the trademark isn’t official enough to sue someone (not that I would XD) but I do own creative rights to the name. It would be totally wrong as well as stealing if someone else used the name, but I couldn’t really do as much about as I could if the trademark was official enough. :P
Hi Madi! I’m having a weird problem with comments. I can’t comment on you’re newest post and it shows no record that I posted on there or if my comment is awaiting moderation. I’m just commenting on here to see if maybe it’s just you’re newest post that I’m having problems with.
Hi, Staff! I’ve successfully received all your comments – that’s weird that they won’t tell you they are in moderation. I did receive them all and replied to them.
HAHA! Chloe’s great. She and Amelia are pretty much twins. How do you keep her curls so perfect? I just tried this new method where I wrap her hair around a straw, bobby pin it in place, and then tie the straw together. I got pretty great results. :D I love her top, I’m really sad that AG retired it. :/
BTW, I have writer’s block ALL THE TIME Chloe, so you’re not alone.. ;)
-Sam
LOL! I just mist a curl, kind of pick it with the AG sparkly hair pick, and twirl it around my finger. That’s a really neat curling trick with straws! Me, too! AG should stop retiring things. :P :/
LOL! Chloe gives you a virtual high five. ;)
Chloe is hilarious! I usually find inspiration from other books I like…generally don’t have to start shouting about being doomed, XD
LOL! That’s an awesome way to get inspiration! And LOLOL! ???
Hey AGFan i sure am:)
I remember this post!:) It was so fun to read.
-Quinley
Wow, that’s awesome! Thanks for reading my blog, Quinley. :D