Photo by Susan Eames
I have no excuse but I’m back from the wilds of Mexico, no closer to finishing the great work in progress. It’s funny how if you never put ink to paper, you never finish a project. Here’s a Friday Fictioneers prompt for your consideration about writer’s block and envy.
Pages of Envy
By T. Delaplain
Cuba Libre in hand I watch her delicate hand judge my pages. God damn her, too slow. The familiar burn of self doubt and rum threaten to devour me. The truth? I hate her; everything flows from her with ease. Her lips drip bitter honey but her words, oh her beautiful words, tumble with abandon onto her own pages. I’m the one who writes long into the night while she dreams. I chase a muse who will not stop or turn or invite me into her embrace. I am a slave to the page but she is ink, filling page after page.
Try your hand at writing 100 word flash fiction. Let the ink flow at Friday Fictioneers
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
Dear Tracey,
Some days the magic works and some days it doesn’t. I liked ‘bitter honey.’
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve met this woman, bitter honey is hard to swallow. Gracias amiga.
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Loved the flow of this story!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you Susan. Your photo brought me out of the jungle and back to the page.
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I enjoyed reading your story. Very poetic.
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Thank you
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You are welcome.
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Self doubt and rum is a heady cocktail
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True. Just ask Ernest.
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It’s worth it for the those rare days when it all comes together. Hope you stick at it 🙂
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There’s not enough rum in the world….
Just kidding, I don’t drink.
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Welcome back, Tracey!
What a wonderful 100-words! Everything just flowed beautifully. Not bad for someone with writer’s block…
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Gracias amiga. I went to a writer’s group in the neighborhood and found a little inspiration. I need to look at your site for more challenges. I’ll be right over. Put on the coffee.
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Lovely! I would love to participate in a writer’s group.
And hey, I do do challenges. Four in all… silly me.
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i have this favorite quote from hemingway that might work for you: “do not worry. you have always written before and you will write now.”
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Thanks Plaridel. I’ll keep that in mind. I’m glad you saw the Hemingway reference.
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Poetic prose. very well written.
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I have a feeling that ink envies the slave of the page just as much as the other way around. Wonderful writing, Tracey.
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You are probably right.
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Nicely flowing, quite poetic 🙂
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Thanks Ali
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Spectacular….the muse was with you!
DB McNicol
author, traveler, shutterbug
Author Blog
Personal Blog
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It’s hard to say, she’s a minx so I can’t always tie her down to write.
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Beautifully written – I’m not sure you need a muse!
My go at Friday Fictioneers!
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Thank you, I blush.
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I really enjoyed your story and read it a couple of times. The rhythm is mesmerizing. My favorite line is, “I chase a muse who will not stop or turn or invite me into her embrace.” I’m understanding that more and more the further I get on this writing journey. At times we chase her and she remains elusive (for me its a “her”). =) But, other times she comes to us when we least expect it. Take heart, she will return. She did this week.
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Thank you Brenda. It’s my fault if I’m not attentive when she comes around. Put pen to paper!
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Different people, different style!
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Thank you for stopping by
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I know people like that too. They make it all look some easy, while rewrite the same sentence 16 times.
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Some days are easier for sure.
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Your story strikes a chord with me, too. You’ve captured the feelings beautifully. Wonderful language and tone.
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Thank you Margaret
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A good story and well written, Tracey. I’ve heard of writers like that. I read one famous one never makes revisions. I’ve never found that’s true for me. I just do my best and hope it’s good enough. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Good enough is ok with me. Thanks for stopping in to say Hi.
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Something we can all relate to!
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Not sure how I missed this, but I kept hitting the link from your comment on mine, and getting nowhere. Alas!
This is gorgeous, Tracey! The words are so lyrical and fluid, the imagery bittersweet and powerful. I think you’re the ink this week. Beautiful writing.
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I’m so glad you found it. I had trouble commenting on some posts this week. I was blaming Mexico in the past but I’m in the US now so… I have no idea why. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I’m grateful.
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It was wonderful; glad I worked out the glitch.
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