How to get words on the page - Step 2/5
What to do when Neighbor Norma brings meatloaf
In the last post, the first in a series of five, we explored how the Lizard Brain and Resistance are keeping you from writing. Now, let’s explore how to begin a counter offensive.
Step 2. Reimagine Your Enemy
The Lizard Brain and Resistance are powerful.
Let’s weaken them by embodying them in something less threatening.
I want you to visualize a hypothetical neighbor. She’s in her 70s. She’s kind and generous. She loves to chat. She likes pastel colors. Her name is Norma.
She seems harmless but her apron pockets are full of Lizard Brains and Resistance.
As soon as you start writing, she stops by to share gossip or talk about her hydrangeas. She brings cookies, leftover Halloween candy. Once, she brought meatloaf.
She says things like “Oh, are you writing in your little notebook again? So nice.”
Norma isn’t evil, but — she’s derailing your focus, she’s provoking doubt.
Here she is, your enemy. This is what’s preventing you from writing?
Now that you have reimagined your enemies as Neighbor Norma, she becomes weaker, more manageable.
The next round of writing jiu jitsu just got a little bit easier.
Here’s how to take it further.
Notice When Norma Knocks
Every time you feel the urge to scroll, reorganize your bookshelf, or find a snack instead of writing, think of it as Norma knocking on your mental door. This awareness is your first defense.
Thank Norma and Send Her Away
When Norma shows up, thank her and acknowledge the distraction. Nod, wave, and politely say, “Not now, Norma,” and refocus on your writing.
For those of you who have tried meditation or mindfulness activities, this is the same. It’s about noticing and redirecting.
Did I hear a groan?
Right.
It’s not easy—if it were, you wouldn’t need this guide. I wouldn’t be writing it. You wouldn’t have half-filled, abandoned notebooks on your shelf.
You wouldn’t carry around agonizing regrets about not being able to put words on a page for years. (Shout out to reader Mike, I hear you.)
And, if it were easy, we’d all be way more like the Dalai Lama.
It’s a practice. It’s training your mind to handle Norma.
But with practice, you’ll get better at gently closing the door on distractions and returning to what you want to be doing — writing.
In the next post, we’ll explore writing tools, how to avoid the fancy and choose simplicity.
Image of Neighbor Norma created by ChatGPT based on the above.