OEsheepdog, I have been enjoying reading your posts right along and hardly think you have hit any dry spell or that your best posts are in the past! As the popular expression goes: "keep on, keepin' on!"

Your best posts are all still ahead of you. Find them at your leisure.

OE- I have been gone for a while so I can't really say anything about your recent stuff, but I will say that I always enjoyed coming by here and reading your posts. Some how they always seemed to make my day.
I will tell you what everyone has been telling me here recently, since I have been trying to get out of this writers block that I have. Keep at it.. just keep writing and writing and writing. It will all come back to you soon.
Hugs to you my friend..

Your talent is hardly latent--it's overt, as that clever, clever paragraph about "moping doesn't require a screen" demonstrates.

In our kitchen we have a picture of George and Gracie Some people paste up pictures of kids. We paste up George and Gracie.

And Gracie had another quote. One that might speak to your incredibly important question. Important because it's a universal question.

The quote was in a letter she wrote to George, to be opened after she died. What she said was, "George. Never place a period where God has placed a comma."

This is the first post of yours I've read so understand I know nothing about you other than what is here. I see someone who cares and struggles. Every artist I know (personally) has those qualities. The danger I see is giving too much power to others to decide if your work is good. Their standards may not be worthy of your potential and their praise will satisfy. Or the lack of it could discourage. If you are as serious as you seem to be create your own standard of expectation and keep raising it every time you reach it, or even come close. This, again, is an opinion expressed based on very little knowledge of you.

i like your writing; don't be anxious abt it--we all have doubts as to our writing honest r.

This must be a very common thought. I worry I've jumped the shark each time I post.
I enjoy your writing and am sure you have plenty more of it ahead of you.~r

I don't agree with you. Your writing is always enjoyable and strong. A natural gift, to be sure. I don't think anyone who cares at all about communicating well or creating wonder ever believes they have an inexhaustible supply of 'newness' to share. We all think that 'last good post' was, indeed, our 'last good post'. That may even be true for a time. But like the tide, newness washes up on the shore of our addled minds again. All we have to do is remain on the beach with an eye on the sea. Never say never, right? What you wrote today is ample proof that you've got the gift even on your perceived worst writing days. Just keep doing it:) Please?

I love your posts! Keep on, keeping on Oesheepdog!!
Rated~

We all have our ups and downs. I know I've had my share. I agree with this sentiment: "Keep on keepin' on." Every post has its own unique gifts for the readers.

I read you every darn day and I am the same as you. To heck with the EP's of the world. It is who reads you and supports you that counts.
This is my family and I am so happy you have included me in it.
Keep writing as people tell me..:)
Rated with hugs

Well to continue the baseball metaphor, Babe Ruth struck out many more times than he hit home runs and he sure wasn't no slouch at that game.

The thing is, I have never failed to be entertained, or to enjoy the time I have spent reading your blog so that should be some indicator of how well you do it. If it means anything, I have done the same thing; I've looked back at my old blogs and thought that they were by far better than what I do today.

Nasreddin Hodja and his young son were on their way to the market. Hodja was riding his donkey and his son was walking beside him. As they travelled such, they heard a few villagers talking about them.
“Look at our Hodja, he is comfortably riding on his donkey and letting his poor little boy walk along. Shame on Hodja for making the boy suffer like that!” When Nasreddin Hodja heard this, he wanted to rectify what was perceived as his selfishness. He put his son on the donkey and he started to walk beside. Then shortly after, they met another couple of villagers.

“Look at Hodja and his son!” they said, “these are the times we are living in. A young boy is riding on the donkey and his poor old father is sweating to keep up with them. Today's children have no respect for their parents.” Nasreddin Hodja found some reason in this comment and thought of another remedy. They both got off of the donkey and started to walk beside it. A little while later, a group of villagers, also going to the market, approached the procession of Hodja, the son and the donkey, all walking one after the other.
“Hodja and his son have no minds, whatsoever”, they whispered, “they are both hot on their feet and the donkey is strolling along. Don't these people know what a donkey is for?” Hodja heard this and thought they had a point. The solution was clear. Both he and his son sat on the donkey. As they continued their trip, both of them sitting on the donkey, thinking to themselves that they have finally complied with all the opinions of the villagers, they met another of their acquaintances. He was not very happy to see both Hodja and the boy on a scrawny donkey.

“Hodja”, he yelled, “don't you have any mercy? How is this poor little animal supposed to carry two people? Have some pity please!”

Nasreddin Hodja agreed with this last remark as well. What were they to do? He shouldered the front body of the donkey and his son took on the back part, and they carried the donkey to the market place.
- - - - - -
Apologies, for being so ong-winded, OE. I thought I'd like to make my point through a folk tale, simply because I did not agree with your last sentence. Write for your own fulfilment and pleasure - that's all that matters.
♥R

I have only come to know you rrecently, OE, so I have no past reference. I only just now discovered I had not added you as a favorite. I use that list to decide who to read if my time is short. But when I see your posts, I DO read them, and have enjoyed them. So--you're on there now. And if your best ones are behind you, it will only be because you've accepted that. I ask you not to! On another note..I think people are, in general depressed. It really is hard to focus outside of yourself when so many things are weighing one down. So--we all have to try harder to get out there and reconnect. Thanks for bringing that up!

nah, you're fine.

I joined not to write, necessarily, but to read. I haven't really figured out how to build a "list " yet, but I have enjoyed your writing.

I still like you. Maybe even more.

I think it is akin to the "sophomore jinx" We spend a lifetime composing and fine tuning the initial output but when we reach the end off that trove of material we have long forgotten how hard it was and how long it took to come up with the stuff in the first place. You still do fine.

My best days have yet to come. You have to believe that your best writing is in process of being created.

Don't be overly critical of yourself. This self-afflicted form of punishment will ultimately create a roadblock to your creativity.

Let it flow when you're ready, and when that time arrives, don't stop writing until you're content your readers will drop everything to read you.

What are you talking about? I try to always read you because you are a voice of reason. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Sounds like a classic case of writer's block, a subject Margaret Fieke addressed in a recent post: http://open.salon.com/blog/margaret_feike/2011/03/06/a_chip_off_the_ole_writers_block

Personally, I don't have that problem, tho, whether I have anything worth saying is another matter altogether. My big problem is repeating myself, a not unexpected outcome given that so many of the problems I write about remain unsolved. Then, too, some of the really big questions -- like the existence of God or the nature of Man or whatever happened to decent Republicans -- are insoluble.

Hang in there, old dog, and wait for the anger or the joy or the perplexity to take hold, and then sit yourself down in the fire and start typing. Just remember to strike while the iron is hot, your hair is on fire, and your ass is burning.

Sometimes a person just goes through a quiet lull in the action - at least in my viewpoint... It may be a way to recharge or fill up some more opinions, anxiety or whatever. Even the simple post you just wrote has a melody to it that I enjoy reading. Hang in there...the best is yet to come - or well...it could be!

I can relate. My muse has mostly fled. I just await inspiration, if it doesn't come for months, then I don't write for months. rated.

You've been eating too many salt sticks. Your posts are excellent.

"I guess I also have to feel a sense of accomplishment for myself, too." This is, indeed, the measure of success. Look back at those posts you felt that way about. What about them worked? Did you care more about the topic? Did you spend more time on them?

Course, it could just be biorhythms, too. (Readers under 35 are free to look that up.) As Kathy said, Sheepie, your best posts are ahead. You just have to get to them.

"I guess I also have to feel a sense of accomplishment for myself, too." This is, indeed, the measure of success. Look back at those posts you felt that way about. What about them worked? Did you care more about the topic? Did you spend more time on them?

Course, it could just be biorhythms, too. (Readers under 35 are free to look that up.) As Kathy said, Sheepie, your best posts are ahead. You just have to get to them.

I feel your pain. I've been thinking the same thing myself lately. Not about you, but my own writing. And bottom line, it's bull. I'm getting older and wiser each day. I think my best writing days are ahead of me. I don't feel this way but my emotions cannot be trusted. I am my own worst critic. I suspect you might be too when it comes to your own writing. This post is another fine example of your good writing.

I always read my good stuff and wonder who the hell wrote it, then I realize I plagiarized it.

:)

Inspiration comes and goes in waves. Every great writer, I suspect, as gone through the self-doubt that you seem to be experiencing. Have faith in your talent and be patient.

Yep, we all feel it. Go have a drink and try again. :)

It seems like two years is kind of the natural arc for a lot of writers here. I think the encouragement that is found here really makes you want to write all of that stuff that has been inside for years and years, and many of us do tend to start sputtering after we've written out that backlog of material. (I think this is also why many bands experience the "sophomore jinx" with their second albums. They've put all of their best stuff on the first one, songs that took years to write and perfect, and then they're expected to put out something just as good the second time. It rarely happens. Oops, I see now that bobbot has already mentioned that!)

Anyway, I know that I don't write nearly as much as I used to, and I'm coming up on my second anniversary here. I worry a lot too that I've said everything I have to say and then, boom, something else will come to me, and I'll be excited about writing again.

Just hang in there.

Keep a goin'

John -- thanks for the inspiring comments.

Kathy -- I tell myself that, too.

FE -- thanks for the comments. Perhaps I'm just in a low place today.

Jerry -- You're very kind.

Roger -- Gracie was a lot smarter than many gave her credit for. Thanks for sharing that quote.

Lady Dove -- If you go back and look at the archives, read only the good posts, ok?

Jonathan -- It's not so much doubt, more like has the talent petered out?

Joan H -- So that's what "jumping the shark" means.

Susan -- I will persevere.

Susie -- Thanks

Bike -- Thanks, I appreciate it.

Linda -- You seem to blog on demand of which I am in great awe.

Torman -- Well thanks for your kind words of encouragement.

FusunA -- I've heard that story before. You are correct in saying I should writing for myself, but part of my challenge is that I want to be read by others.

Satori1 -- thanks very much.

FM -- ha ha ha -- good to know.

Panaceia -- Thank you for reading.

D Art -- your comment means a lot. Thanks.

bob -- Thank you.

Cranky -- I don't rankle easily, that's true.

Tom -- I think I need to reframe my perspective.

Kate -- I sometimes think my blogs are like Seinfeld. Hence a blog about nothing, but that's someone else's header.

Deb -- My muse is in the Bahamas...wish I was there.

greenheron -- how many is too many?

ahp -- if I told you about the time I spent on each post you would be either surprised, amazed, angered or befuddled. Because I spend about the same amount of time on each.

MTK -- Yes I understand. I think I should just write more and reflect so much.

surly -- We are kindred spririts.

naomi -- just jump in the water is fine.

OS should be a no pressure place to write; all who write often chase the muse gone on some sabbatical.

You still seem to be knocking them out of the park. If you go by comments, you are still on the top of your game.

Well, if I were here more often, I would read you, Sheep. I am encouraged that you can appreciate your own work, but don't be too hard on yourself. I feel the same way - often. Luckily, likewise, I am not a serious writer nor serious about myself. Gosh, I'd never write another word.

And you should - keep writing, keep sharing, keep being you.

Hey, if you are coming to Mope Island will you sit next to me? I'm sure we'll be able to come up with something...two heads and all.

We all hit this wall. I've blogged about mine, which I'm still straddling. I'm uncertain about the empty tank, I think perhaps it can be refilled, but ... I share your concerns. Like many others who've written on this as well. You speak for us here.

You've been doing fine with a good batting average. Remember that Ted Williams, the best hitter of modern times, at his best batted a hit only four out of every ten times.

OE, maybe it's just that the older pieces have distanced themselves enuf from you that you find them fresh, as if someone else might have written them. This happens to me, especially with news stories I wrote at the start of my career. Fearing they'd be amateurish and awkward I'm often amazed at how good they were. Then I worry that maybe I haven't grown as a writer since then, sort of the way you describe your feelings here. A lot of it is perspective, I think. And your writing now is as compelling and fun to read as it's always been, at least since I've been here.

Dear Sheepy, I'm not expecting very much.

Hahaha!! Wait, come back here!! I'm not done!!

You're good my friend. I might not say it but you're the best talking and writing sheep dog I know!! And I know plenty!!

53 to be exact!!

And that doesn't include the bulldogs and poodles I know!!! So......write when you can, don't force it, that hurts, trust me!!

~hug~ ~and leaves a nice big old soup bone~

Sheepie, I kind of like what Bobbot said. For the few several months I was here, I was pulling from a lot of pent up life stories. Lately, the ideas seem harder to come by. I just ride it out -- something always comes to mind eventually. Whether anything better than the old ones will come along is something I just don't think about. I just write.

FWIW, I have always thought you are a strong writer.

Lezlie

Sheepie, I kind of like what Bobbot said. For the few several months I was here, I was pulling from a lot of pent up life stories. Lately, the ideas seem harder to come by. I just ride it out -- something always comes to mind eventually. Whether anything better than the old ones will come along is something I just don't think about. I just write.

FWIW, I have always thought you are a strong writer.

Lezlie

i'm not sure i'm my own best critic. or maybe i'm my own harshest critic and, therefore, not always helpful. sounds like you're in the same frame of mind -- and i think that's what it is: a phrase, a mindset, a mood. happy with what you're writing, unhappy -- it comes and goes, like waves on the ocean, which just means it will get better. from the other side, the reader's side, you're still as good as ever. xoxo