Morning Terrors

Do other writers wake up experiencing a flash panic that their novel is stupid? Going nowhere? Fast? I'm not even far enough into it yet to warrant that kind of wake-up call, but there it was, exploding in my chest the minute I opened my eyes. Most mornings these days, I wake up thinking about the current happening in the book. Does that phrase make sense for that character? Is that action appropriate for the time period? Is there enough plot tension coming through? I spend about five minutes musing, welcome a word-boosting cuppa from my beloved, and sit up for 10 minutes directing my thoughts to the next page or two that I want to produce that day. Except today. Here's where one turns to Annie Lamott or Natalie Goldberg. Erma Bombeck even, the 70s and 80s female version of Dr. Phil, who basically told writers to stop their cry-babying and write. Write whatever, just write the damned words. Times like these, I begin to notice all the clutter in the house, little tasks piling up in my to-do basket, appointments I should make for the family. Must resist the urge.