Ellen Byron

On Blockages, Literal and Figurative.

A funny thing happened on my way to post today.

I forgot.

Okay, that’s not funny, but it makes for a derivatively witty opening.

As for forgetting, the theme of my life these days seems to be blockage. The condition that landed me in the hospital for a week has been changed from an ileus (I still don’t really know what that is) to IBS – which stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. (I prefer the initials because if most people are as infantile as me, they go “Eww!” the minute they see the word “bowel.”)

I won’t know for sure until I get a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime the GI I saw ordered me to ingest 40-45 grams of fiber a day, in addition to various meds. Have you ever tried to clock that much fiber in a day? Trust me, it involves a lot of thought and work and supplements.

My current breakfast appears to be a couple of the gummies and big glass of Target’s Metamucil knockoff.

So, that’s the literal blockage. On to the figurative…

Thanks to a twenty-five year as a TV writer-producer (the schizy ups and downs of that career are a subject for another blog post), I’m a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America. I owe my pension and lifetime medical to the union – if you enjoy my mysteries, thank my husband’s job and that pension for keeping us afloat and allowing me the freedom to write – so I don’t take my membership lightly.

It probably won’t come as news to anyone with a computer browser that we’re on strike.

Me holding a Drake’s Coffee Cake from the recent Tristate-themed picket

And it’s not a metaphorical reach to say we’re “blocked” in our pursuit of a fair and equitable contract. (Are fair and equitable synonyms? I don’t have time to look it up because as I mentioned early, I forgot to write this post.) We just entered our second month and the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) is ignoring us while negotiating deals with the DGA (Directors Guild of America) and SAG-AFTRA (the actors’ union). So, my union’s progress is truly blocked as we wait for the AMPTP to grace us with their presence across the bargaining table.

And as if those blockages weren’t enough, here’s a pic of where I am re: the beat sheet for my second Golden Motel Mystery, which I’m trying to get a jump on…

See all that white? The emptiness? It is not good because I’m struggling to come up with what happens next. And I’m only on page 3. Barely.

I attribute my forgetting to write my post today as the cumulative result of the current blockages dogging my life. But the kind-of good news about blockages is they eventually clear up. I’ll get the whole fiber thing down. The WGA will get a contract. And I’ll use a picket walk as a think-walk to break through my story block.

So, apologies for the late delivery of this blog post and for any typos in it. I don’t have time to proof. I’m due on a picket line.

25 thoughts on “On Blockages, Literal and Figurative.”

  1. You need to forget your posts more often, El, because this one is a winner! (Reminds me of when I took a life drawing class, and the “gesture drawings” I did–which you only had 30-60 seconds to complete–were always my best, as I didn’t have time for the controlling part of my brain to take over the creative part.)

    As for blockage, I hope you come up with some marvelous plot points today while walking the picket line! And thanks for fighting the good fight, my dear! xoxo

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    1. I had an art teacher who liked rapidly drawing on a paper in his pocket (without taking it out) while getting inspired by the things or people around him. And, of course, the sketches still turned out great!

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  3. I’m glad you remembered this post today. I usually read it while having breakfast, but reading it over lunch is fine as well. I really hope all the blockages clear up for you soon. I was thinking of the strike just the other day. Nothing has been said about it on the news lately and TV is now into rerun season. I’m pulling for all the writers. I hope the contract is a good one for all. And I hope you are feeling much better physically quickly. I have been there and it isn’t fun. Take care of yourself.
    Carol

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  4. You need to get unstuck! That blockage on your book is horrifying for this fan! 🙂

    And wishing you all the best on with the health stuff. Which reminds me, I need to email my doctor again I guess, since I heard nothing back last month….

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  5. Ah, Dear El- I’ve had IBS since I was 17 or 18. I’m in my 50s now. Not a fun ride. I just spoke to my GI this morning. I hope you recover to the point of remission for a while. Flare ups suck, but you’ll find your body’s balance. Xoxo

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  6. El, the Chicks were so worried( as were you and your family) when you were in the hospital and the doctors were having trouble coming up with answers. Fingers crossed that with the colonoscopy they confirm the diagnosis and a simple, comfortable, and effective treatment! Also hope the writers’ strike is soon and happily settled!! I know you will figure out the manuscript. This new series is so fab!

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  7. Hang in, El–all of these things shall pass. (Ha?) I am quite confident on that point because you’re one of the most resilient people I know. You’ll not only come through these setbacks with flying colors (along with humor and grace), but you’ll turn your triumphs into gold. (Gold, Jerry!) Love the smiling pic of you on the picket line. You’re fighting for all writers, beyond the Guild. Yay, you!

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  8. Ellen,
    Things will get better.
    Your physical blockage will subside and you will get stronger as time marches on.
    As for the writers strike, it royally sucks. Hopefully people with get off the stick soon! Maybe you should put some of your medicines in their coffee! You could do that covertly I bet! Luckily you have other sources for survival. Whenever the govt goes on furlough, I can’t imagine the fright some of my coworkers have, living paycheck to paycheck. My cushion isn’t fat anymore due to the 31k pipe repair bill that insurance covered less than a quarter of.
    Your novel writing? You have so much other stuff going on in your life that it doesn’t surprise me you have a giant white space. I don’t know if you are a planner or pantser. But, make a list of what ifs. Maybe that will ignite something.
    Hugs for victories in everything soon!

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  9. I am absolutely not worried about you breaking through these various blockages, Ellen, but I *am* a tad concerned about the writer’s strike. I’m paying very close attention to it because if they don’t get the AI part of it right, then it will quite literally change the trajectory of the publishing industry as well. So, fingers crossed all around for you, for it, and for anyone who creates for a living!

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    1. Thank you. The AI sitch is a HUGE CONCERN. People were talking about it on the line today. They don’t think the DGA got a great concession on it. But the prayer is we can build on what they got.

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  10. God bless you Ellen in your getting stronger and healthier and your diagnosis. My doctor now offers a blood test that is as good as a colonoscopy, and I need to get it, but right now his nurse only does it between 7 and 8:30 on a Monday morning. I just haven’t been able to do that. In fact, that is when she takes blood for the other fasting blood tests, and I finally got an order from him to get it where I get my mammogram. Now just to make that appointment. You will get over the block as soon as you stress less, and these obstacles get out of your psyche. Thanks for sharing and hoping for an end to the writer’s strike also as it really affects Georgia’s film industry and without writers, there is no story and no show.

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