One more game, I told myself. This is the last one. But even as I tapped F2 for another game and D for deal, I knew that wasn't true. How long had I been playing Spider Solitaire now? A half hour? Forty-five minutes? I should be writing. I had told myself I would play just one game. When I didn't win that game, I started another. I'll do three, I thought. But at three, I came so close, I went for just one more. And then, oh so close again. I made bargains: I'll play till the end of this song on the radio, till the clock strikes the hour, till my score tops 650. Finally I knew I wasn't going to quit until I won, no matter how long it took. Sound familiar?
I'm a video solitaire addict. Playing cards on the computer is definitely not writing, but I wonder how many of us are lured away from our words by the games embedded in our hard drives. For me, it started with basic solitaire. Then there was Free Cell. Then came Spider, which is so hard I have never cracked my 19 percent average or my top score of 1193. But oh, I want to.
I know I should be writing, but I can't stop myself. I even deleted all the Spider Solitaire files from my computer. Within a week, I missed the game so much, I copied it off another computer onto a floppy disk, which is labeled "Dunes," for an article I wrote three years ago. I'm the only one who knows what's really on that disk.
But I wonder sometimes if it might be okay to take time out to play games. I'm not suggesting anyone play to the point where you have to ice your clenched-up hand, but wouldn't it be all right to play a game or two to give the brain a chance to reboot when you just don't know what to write?
Often when I'm playing cards, my mind wanders. While I'm seeking a four of hearts to lay on the five of hearts, part of me is deciding whether the main character in my story should be Melinda or Marian. How will she get from New York to Philadelphia? Will she really take crazy William along with her?
It's like cleaning house. While you're putting the dishes in the cupboards, your brain can be getting organized, too. When you return to your writing, you may find that you've figured some things out. It's neither Melinda nor Marian; it's Myra. She'll ride the train to Philly because she's terrified of flying and she can't drive, and of course she'll take crazy William with her because that will create conflict when she runs into Jason at the station.
When you win a video game, you feel as if you have accomplished something. The cards line up in neat piles. A horn plays "Ta-da!" Fireworks and the words "You won!" flash on the screen. So much of the writing business is uncertain. Rejections discourage even the most determined writers. When you win at Spider Solitaire, it's a solid "Yes."
It doesn't always work that well. Sometimes you don't win. You waste all your writing time, and you don't know any more now than when you started. You feel so discouraged you decide to try another game, wander over to the "American Idol" blog, or check out the latest music available to be downloaded. Pretty soon you've wasted a whole day.
Most of the time, it's better to boot up to a blank screen and write something, anything. If you can't resist the electronic temptations, go sit out in the sun with a pen and a yellow pad. A real writer writes first and plays later. On those days when writing seems impossible, you might want to play just one round to warm up your brain cells. But be careful. Spiders weave sticky webs, from which it's hard to get away.
***
P.S. My book on freelancing for newspapers is due out this spring from Quill Driver Books. I'll let you know when they start taking orders.
Copyright 2007 Sue Fagalde Lick
About the Author: SUE FAGALDE LICK is a former newspaper editor turned full-time freelance writer. She has published four books, countless articles and many poems and stories. She teaches writing workshops online and at Oregon Coast Community College. Visit her web site at http://www.suelick.com, and her blog at http://www.freelancingfornewspapers.blogspot.com.
Be sure to visit the everything but writing archives to catch any articles you've missed!
Beware the Solitaire Trap
