Author Mary Cronk Farrell

  • News!
  • blog
  • My Books
  • About me
  • What people are saying...
    • PURE GRIT
  • School Visits
  • videos
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Calendar

Writer's Block? Try A Visit to the Dentist

1/11/2012

9 Comments

 
Picture
I needed a relaxing break from my WIP yesterday, so I went to the dentist for a filling and a crown.
After all, 

which is worse?
A shot of Novocain, or realizing you were way too desperate when you signed that contract promising to write a novel in six months?

Seriously though, these days, a visit to the dentist is relaxing. They put you back in a soft reclining chair with a comfy pillow. You don’t even have to hold you own mouth open.
 They have this new apparatus, nice soft plastic, no sharp edges, that props your jaw wide, retracts your tongue and vacuums spit. Not an ounce of effort. 

The work will be trying to find a second job when the bills comes.  

You know, I used to feel badly when I needed a tooth repaired, like it was a moral failure. But now I’m thinking about how many years my teeth have been chomping away....Just think if I had a car that lasted that long. Almost makes you want to brush and floss.

No, the real reason I like going to the dentist is the nitrous-oxide. For a girl who always “said no to drugs” it’s quite a trip. This time I came back to reality with the entire plot for a paranormal trilogy. It’s about a demon dental hygienist who tortures her victims by forcing them to choose a fluoride rinse—wintergreen, cantaloupe or bubblegum?

When I was kid I always picked the flavor I liked best. I went though several flavors before I figured out you pick the one you like least because whichever it is, you’ll never enjoy it again. 

Actually, my favorite thing about getting a tooth filled—eavesdropping on the person in the next chair. I swear some people must think the dentist is their hairdresser. Talk about plot material! 


So next time you need inspiration, take a break and go to the dentist. But don’t imagine you’ll come out with the perfect smile advertised in the office photos. If you’re a writer, you’re in the wrong income bracket for that.

But they say good fiction taps into universal feelings. Maybe you can turn a root canal into the next Hunger Games. 

Today's cartoon thanks to Kurt Melander and the US Air Force

9 Comments
cheryl doran
1/13/2012 07:06:04 am

Sign me up Mary!! It almost makes me want to go to the dentist. I hear that some offices are like a spa. Wouldn't it be nice to get a massage also.I think you should bring some nitrous oxide home and then see what kind of book you put out.

Reply
Mary
1/16/2012 01:08:04 am

Ha! I think that would be a blank book, as I would be in dreamland. Thanks for stopping by, Cheryl.

Reply
health-today link
1/13/2012 07:52:27 pm

very nice and interesting article!
everyone like it...
thanks for the information...

Reply
Fabio Bueno link
1/15/2012 12:40:15 am

Wow, Mary, you are so brave. I must admit, dentists scare me. I'd never thought that a visit to the dentist could be relaxing :) Fun read!

Reply
Mary
1/16/2012 01:29:15 am

Great to hear from you, Fabio. Not so much brave, as afraid of having to live on a soft-food diet in my old age. Thank God, I have dental insurance.

Reply
betsy wharton
3/30/2012 03:02:18 am

Hi Mary are you home. I am in your neighborhood. Call me and I will come give you a hug 3604610866

Reply
Carolyn link
5/3/2012 06:21:29 am

It is funny where material can be found. I also love when people talk loud on their cellphones. One-sided conversations have my mind spinning - what is the other person saying? What could they be saying?

Reply
Mary
5/4/2012 04:10:58 am

Nice to hear from you, Carolyn.
By the way, I tried your recipe for the spinach & ricotta dumplings the other night. Half way through making them I started using a small ice cream scoop to form the dumplings. It worked really well.

Reply
Beverly
6/9/2012 02:34:45 am

Very funny! That's a great idea about the flouride flavor choices. :)

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    ​

    Picture
    I'm an award-winning author of Children's/YA books and former journalist with a passion for stories about people facing adversity with courage.

    My books have been named Notable Social Studies Book for Young People, SPUR Award for Best Juvenile Fiction about the American West, Bank Street College List of Best Children's Books, and NY Public Library Best Books for Teens. My journalistic work has received numerous awards for excellence from the Society of Professional Journalists and two Emmy nominations.
    Picture

    Archives

    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    Categories

    All
    Books
    Coffee
    Courage
    Day To Day
    Dealing With Demons
    Eat Drink & Be Mary
    Food
    Gardening
    Getkidzlit
    Historical Fiction
    Historical Fiction
    History
    History & Literature
    History & Literature
    Literature